The series explores the diabolical personas of murderers who cry fake tears to manipulate the media and public in a disturbing attempt to exonerate themselves from their crimes.
Killer Performance delves into chilling cases where public appearances and police interviews played host for killers Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy, Drew Peterson, Chacey Poynter, Stephen McDaniel and Chris Watts to feign grief in attempts to persuade the public of their innocence.
Some aspects of the psychopathic mind these killers exhibited was the need to be in control, the egotistical belief that they were a step ahead of everyone else and the feeling that they were getting away with murder.
During a public investigation these master manipulators are given countless opportunities to practice their evil performance. Press conferences, interviews and court appearances are all stages for the killer to control the media narrative by faking grief and spinning a web of lies.
TED BUNDY
Ted Bundy was one of the world’s most notorious serial killers. During the 1970s, he was accused of murdering at least thirty young women and girls but in court, he maintained his innocence. Underneath this façade of lies, the charismatic killer was a psychopath who inflicted brutal acts of violence on his victims. Taking a front row seat to analyse Bundy’s behavior are three of the worlds’ most experienced super sleuths who are trained in exposing the lies behind a serial killer’s performance.
JOHN WAYNE GACY
The case of serial killer John Wayne Gacy is one of sexual depravity. In the 1970s, Gacy stood accused of the rape and murder of at least 33 young men and boys and burying many of the bodies under his house. He portrayed an image of respectability including dressing up as a clown. Gacy maintained his innocence. Taking a front row seat to analyse Gacy’s behavior are three of the world’s most experienced super sleuths who are trained in exposing the lies behind a serial killer’s performance.
CHRIS WATTS
To the outside world, Chris Watts played the part of a loving family man to perfection and when his family suddenly vanished, he wasted no time appearing on local news to appeal for their safe return, however, he was hiding a dark secret. He was accused of brutally murdering them all so he could have a new life with his mistress. Taking a front row seat to analyse Watt’s behavior are three of the world’s most experienced super sleuths who are trained in exposing the lies behind a serial killer’s performance.
CHACEY POYNTER
When Texas firefighter Robert Poynter was fatally shot in the head, his wife Chacey appeared distraught and as she blames his shooting on a random killer, police bodycam records the unfolding drama and discover she’s hiding a dark secret. Taking a front row seat to analyse Chasey’s behavior are three of the world’s most experienced super sleuths who are trained in exposing the lies behind a serial killer’s performance.
DREW PETERSON
When Stacey Peterson went missing, her husband, former policeman Drew Peterson, became the prime suspect. Years earlier, his third wife had been found dead in the bath. Even with one wife dead and another missing, Peterson denied all involvement in either case. But it was Peterson’s obsession with news shows which would eventually contribute to his downfall. Taking a front row seat to analyse Peterson’s behavior are three of the world’s most experienced super sleuths who are trained in exposing the lies behind a serial killer’s performance.
STEPHEN McDANIEL
When a law graduate went missing, it didn’t take long for one of her distraught classmates, Stephen McDaniel, to appear on the local news. Earlier he had boasted to friends that he knew how to commit the perfect murder and get away with it. Now McDaniel’s incredible TV appearance and his love of the limelight would prove to be his undoing. Taking a front row seat to analyse McDaniel’s behavior are three of the world’s most experienced super sleuths who are trained in exposing the lies behind a serial killer’s performance.