Ep 16. Fatal Fantasy

A tale of twisted love and obsession unfolds in the sixteenth episode of Scorned: Love Kills season 2, titled "Fatal Fantasy." The episode delves into the disturbing case of Kathleen Snyder, who was murdered by her ex-husband William "Bill" Snyder, a wealthy businessman with a dirty secret.

The episode opens with footage of Kathleen, an attractive and vivacious woman in her mid-forties, enjoying a day out with her friend Carol. They laugh and joke, both of them clearly happy and carefree. But all is not as it seems. Kathleen is living in fear of her ex-husband Bill, who has been harassing her relentlessly since their divorce a few years before. He is convinced that she is his property and will stop at nothing to get her back.

The episode draws on interviews with Kathleen's friends and family, including Carol, her son Austin, and her sister Patti, who describe the toxic nature of Kathleen and Bill's relationship. They met in the early 90s, when Kathleen was working as a waitress, and quickly became a couple. But as the years went by, Bill's possessiveness and control over Kathleen intensified, pushing her to the brink of despair.

Desperate to escape his clutches, Kathleen filed for divorce in 2009. She moved into a rented apartment and started rebuilding her life. But Bill would not give up that easily. He continued to call her incessantly, send her flowers and gifts, and show up unannounced at her home and place of work. He even hired private investigators to follow her and installed tracking devices on her car.

The situation grew increasingly volatile, and Kathleen began to fear for her safety. She filed multiple restraining orders against Bill, but they were always lifted due to insufficient evidence. In the end, Kathleen felt she had no choice but to take matters into her own hands. She started carrying a gun for protection and underwent self-defense training.

But Bill's obsession with Kathleen only grew. He began to harbor dark fantasies about taking her hostage and forcing her to love him again. He even went so far as to build a soundproofed room in the basement of his mansion, where he could keep her captive.

The tension in the episode mounts as the day of Kathleen's death draws nearer. Bill contacts her repeatedly, trying to convince her to come over to his house. But Kathleen is wary and refuses. Finally, on the evening of March 13, 2010, Bill takes matters into his own hands. He shows up at Kathleen's apartment, armed with a gun, and forces his way inside.

What follows is a harrowing account of violence and desperation. The episode draws on police reports, forensic evidence, and testimony from witnesses to recreate the events of that fateful night. It is a stark reminder of the dangers of obsession and the lengths to which some people will go to control those they claim to love.

In the end, Bill Snyder was held accountable for his actions and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. But the tragedy of Kathleen's death still reverberates through the lives of those who were close to her. The episode is a powerful and moving tribute to her memory and a warning to those who might find themselves in a similar situation.