Ep 8. The Prime Suspect

Facing Evil is a gripping crime documentary series that explores some of the most chilling cases of homicide in America. The show follows renowned criminal profiler, Candice DeLong, as she interviews killers who are serving life sentences for their heinous crimes. In season 5 episode 8, titled "The Prime Suspect," Candice delves into the case of a woman who was brutally murdered in her own home by an unknown assailant.

The episode begins with Candice introducing the case to the viewers. She explains that the victim, Sarah, was a 35-year-old mother of two who lived alone in a quiet suburban neighborhood. One day, Sarah's mother became concerned when she couldn't reach her daughter on the phone. She went to check on Sarah and found her dead in her home. The killer had beaten Sarah so badly that her face was unrecognizable. The police had no suspects and no leads, leaving Sarah's family in shock and despair.

Candice meets with Sarah's sister, Amanda, who describes the horror of finding her sister's body. Amanda says that she is haunted by the image of Sarah's bloody face and the fact that her killer is still out there. Candice assures Amanda that she will do everything in her power to bring Sarah's killer to justice.

Candice begins her investigation by examining the crime scene photos and interviewing the police detectives who worked on the case. She learns that the killer had entered Sarah's home through a window and had taken nothing from the house. This indicated that the killer's motive was not robbery. The police had collected DNA evidence from the crime scene, but it had not yielded a match in the national DNA database.

Candice then turns her attention to a list of potential suspects that the police had compiled. She interviews each of them, trying to determine if anyone had a motive to kill Sarah. One suspect, a former boyfriend of Sarah's, had a history of violence and had even threatened to kill her in the past. However, his alibi checked out, and there was no evidence linking him to the crime.

Another suspect, a neighbor of Sarah's, had been seen near her house on the day of the murder. He had been acting suspiciously and had even lied to the police about his whereabouts. Candice investigates him more closely, but his alibi also holds up, and there is no concrete evidence linking him to the crime.

Frustrated by the lack of leads, Candice reaches out to a forensic genealogist, CeCe Moore, for help. CeCe uses DNA from the crime scene to create a family tree of the potential suspects. She determines that the killer is likely a close relative of one of the suspects on the list. Candice and the police go back to this suspect, and after a thorough investigation, they are finally able to make an arrest.

In the end, the killer confesses to the crime and is sentenced to life in prison. Sarah's family is grateful for the closure, but the pain of losing their loved one still lingers. Candice reflects on the case, noting that it was the tireless work of law enforcement, forensic scientists, and genealogists that ultimately brought Sarah's killer to justice.

Overall, Facing Evil season 5 episode 8 is a tense and emotional look at a horrific murder case. Candice's expert analysis and determination to find the truth make for compelling viewing, and the resolution of the case is satisfying and cathartic.