Ep 1. Stages of Grief

In season 3, episode 1 of American Monster, entitled "Stages of Grief," viewers are once again taken into the dark and twisted minds of some of America's most heinous criminals. This episode focuses on the story of Dateline NBC producer, Michelle Madigan, who was murdered in her apartment in 2004.

Through interviews with witnesses, law enforcement officials, and Michelle's friends and family, viewers get a glimpse into the complex psyche of Michelle's killer. The episode examines the stages of grief that her loved ones went through as they tried to come to terms with her brutal murder, and the lengths that the killer went to in order to cover up his crime.

The episode begins by introducing viewers to Michelle Madigan, a talented producer who worked for Dateline NBC. Michelle was well-loved by her colleagues and friends, who describe her as being warm, kind-hearted, and passionate about her work. Michelle was also a dedicated mother to her young daughter, who she shared custody of with her ex-husband.

However, Michelle's life was tragically cut short on the night of June 29, 2004, when she was brutally murdered in her apartment in Manhattan. Police were called to her apartment by a concerned friend who had not been able to reach Michelle on her phone. When they arrived on the scene, they found Michelle's lifeless body lying on her bed, with her throat slit.

The investigation into Michelle's murder quickly turned up a list of potential suspects, including her ex-husband, an ex-boyfriend, and a homeless man who had been seen in the area on the night of the murder. However, it was a fingerprint found on a bottle of juice in Michelle's apartment that ultimately led police to the killer.

The episode takes viewers through the long and fraught process of identifying and arresting Michelle's killer, as well as the long road to justice for her family and friends. It explores the many stages of grief that they went through, from shock and denial to anger and acceptance.

In the end, "Stages of Grief" is a chilling and heartbreaking look at the devastating impact that one person's violent actions can have on an entire community. It serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of justice and accountability, and the need for society to continue to work towards preventing crimes like this from happening in the first place. Fans of true crime shows and documentaries will certainly find this episode to be gripping and thought-provoking.