Ep 6. Charlene and Gerald Gallego
- TV-PG
- January 4, 2015
- 43 min
-
(9)
Charlene and Gerald Gallego were a couple who were on a terrifying spree of sexual assault, kidnapping, and murder in the late 1970s. After getting married, the Gallegos embarked on a gruesome road trip where they left a trail of bodies across several Western states in the US.
The episode takes us through the couple's criminal history, exploring the dynamics of their relationship that enabled their violent crimes. Charlene, who was only 17 when she met 34-year old Gerald, was vulnerable to his manipulative ways, becoming his groomed accomplice.
Their killing spree began when they abducted and killed two teenage girls in Sacramento, California. They continued traveling in their car, committing more crimes in Nevada and Oregon, with a modus operandi of kidnapping and killing teenage girls. They claimed at least ten victims over a two-year period, and it wasn't until their final victim managed to escape that they were finally caught.
Throughout the episode, various experts weigh in on the psychology of the Gallego's relationship and their crimes. The investigators who worked on the case recall their shock at the collaboration between the couple and the gruesome details of their crimes. Family members of the victims also share their grief and devastation at their loved one's untimely deaths.
Charlene and Gerald were eventually tried and convicted, with Charlene receiving a lesser sentence due to her claim of being coerced by Gerald. The episode offers a thorough examination of the evidence against them, including graphic crime scene photos and testimony from witnesses and investigators.
Overall, Snapped: Killer Couples season 4 episode 6 offers a chilling look at a couple who worked together to commit heinous crimes. It examines the power dynamics at play in their relationship and delves into the psyche of those who engage in such destructive behavior. It's a cautionary tale of the dangers of blindly following someone who doesn't have your best interests at heart and the repercussions that can follow.
