Ep 1. The Mystery of the Gainesville Murders Pt. 1

How It Really Happened season 4 episode 1 delves into one of America's most notorious and puzzling murder cases: The Gainesville Murders. The episode titled "The Mystery of the Gainesville Murders Pt. 1" is a two-part special that revisits the events that led to the brutal slaying of five college students in Florida in August 1990.

The Gainesville Murders sent shockwaves across the United States and left law enforcement authorities perplexed and the Gainesville community on edge. The victims were all young students who lived in off-campus housing near the University of Florida. Over the course of three days, the murderer broke into the apartments of his victims, most of whom were female, and brutally killed them - some of them even mutilated.

The episode uses archival footage, firsthand accounts from people who knew the victims, and interviews with law enforcement officials to provide viewers with a glimpse into the horror that engulfed Gainesville in the summer of 1990. Interviews with detectives who worked on the case and people who survived attacks by the same person before the Gainesville murders took place provide an in-depth look at what could have led to the perpetrator's bloody rampage.

Through graphic reenactments, viewers are given a sense of the heinousness of the crimes committed by the killer, who was able to evade police capture for several days. The episode also raises questions about the adequacy of law enforcement in the Gainesville area and whether the murders could have been avoided if authorities had acted sooner.

As the episode progresses, viewers are given a glimpse into the life of Edward Humphrey, a mentally ill man who was initially considered by police to be a suspect in the murders. Humphrey had a history of violence and was known to have made threats in the past, but evidence linking him to the murders was scant, and he was ultimately cleared of any wrongdoing. Nevertheless, his ordeal left him traumatized, and he experienced numerous run-ins with law enforcement over the years.

The episode ends on a cliffhanger, leaving viewers with a sense of urgency to know what happens next. As the hunt for the Gainesville Murderer continues, law enforcement officials are faced with mounting pressure to catch the culprit before he strikes again.

In conclusion, "The Mystery of the Gainesville Murders Pt. 1" is a gripping episode that takes viewers through the dark and disturbing events that unfolded in Gainesville in 1990. The episode is a must-watch for true crime enthusiasts and anyone interested in understanding the psychology of murderers. Part two of the episode promises to be even more riveting, with new twists and revelations that are sure to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.