Ep 9. He Almost Got Away With It

In the ninth episode of season 7 of Evil Lives Here, the show explores the story of a man whose father was a notorious serial killer. Titled "He Almost Got Away With It," the episode delves into the life of a man named Derek, who struggled to come to terms with the fact that his father was a murderer.

Derek's father, who remains unnamed in the episode, was convicted of killing several women. He was known to prey on vulnerable women and young girls, luring them into his car with promises of money or a ride. Once they were in his car, he would assault and kill them.

The episode begins with Derek recounting his childhood and how his father was a doting parent who taught him how to swim and ride a bike. Derek says that he had no idea about his father's crimes until the police showed up at their doorstep when he was a teenager. Derek's mother, who was separated from his father, had tipped off the authorities after she saw news about the serial killer on TV and recognized the car as her ex-husband's.

Derek's father was arrested, and the revelation left him and his family in a state of shock. As Derek grew older, he struggled to reconcile the image of the loving father he once knew with the monster who had killed innocent women.

The episode features interviews with Derek's family members, including his mother and sister, who describe how they coped with the aftermath of the revelation. They discuss how they felt betrayed and angry at Derek's father for his actions and the impact it had on their lives.

Derek himself talks about how he struggled with anger and depression and how he tried to distance himself from his father's legacy. He says that he felt like he was living under a cloud of shame, knowing that people would always associate him with his father's crimes.

The episode also touches upon the investigation and the trial. It features interviews with some of the detectives who worked on the case and the prosecutors who tried Derek's father. They describe how they pieced together the evidence and the tactics they used to get a conviction.

Despite the overwhelming evidence against him, Derek's father almost got away with his crimes. He had been a suspect in several murders, but the police had never been able to prove anything until Derek's mother came forward.

In the end, the episode shows how Derek was able to find some closure and move on with his life. He says that he no longer feels ashamed of his past and that he has learned to forgive his father, despite the atrocities he committed.

"He Almost Got Away With It" is a moving and powerful episode that explores the impact of violent crimes on the families of both victims and perpetrators. It is a poignant reminder of the importance of justice, closure, and forgiveness in the face of tragedy and trauma.