Ep 4. Airika Lijegren and Ryan Martinez

In Killer Couples season 9 episode 4, viewers are taken on a journey through the twisted relationship of Airika Lijegren and Ryan Martinez. The episode begins by setting the scene in the quaint town of Sacramento, California. Airika and Ryan met through a mutual friend in 2013 and began dating shortly after. What started as a seemingly normal relationship quickly turned into a deadly obsession.

Through interviews with family and friends of the couple, as well as law enforcement officials, viewers learn about Airika and Ryan's tumultuous relationship. Airika was a successful hairstylist and had a young daughter from a previous relationship. Ryan was a stay-at-home dad to his two young children. The couple seemed to have it all. However, their relationship was plagued with jealousy and possessiveness. Ryan would become enraged if Airika talked to other men or went out with friends. He would check her phone and social media accounts constantly. The couple would break up and make up several times, but Ryan always managed to pull Airika back in.

The episode takes a deep dive into the events leading up to the couple's ultimate downfall. In 2016, Airika and Ryan had a violent altercation that resulted in Ryan's arrest. This event marked a turning point in the relationship. Ryan was ordered to stay away from Airika, but he continued to contact her. After several failed attempts to reconcile, Ryan's behavior became increasingly erratic. He began stalking Airika and even went as far as to break into her salon.

The tension between Airika and Ryan came to a head on July 31, 2017. Ryan broke into Airika's home in the middle of the night and attacked her with a knife. Airika fought back, but the attack resulted in her death. Ryan fled the scene and was later apprehended by law enforcement. The episode details the investigation and trial that followed.

Viewers are left with a chilling reminder of the dangers of toxic relationships and the importance of seeking help if you or someone you know is in a similar situation.