Ep 1. The Newlywed Murder

The 1980s: The Deadliest Decade is back with a brand new season, and the first episode titled "The Newlywed Murder" is filled with mystery and intrigue. This true-crime series explores some of the most shocking and sensational murders that occurred throughout the 1980s. In this episode, viewers are taken back to June 1980, when a newlywed couple is found murdered in their apartment in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The victims are identified as 28-year-old John Shelkons and his 22-year-old wife Nancy. According to investigators, the couple had only been married for six days before they were brutally killed. The crime scene was discovered by Nancy's sister, who had come to visit the newlyweds after not hearing from them for a few days. She found the apartment in disarray and the bodies of John and Nancy lying in bed, both shot in the head.

The investigation into the murders revealed that John and Nancy had recently moved to Pittsburgh from Omaha, Nebraska, and were struggling to make ends meet. John was working as a security guard, while Nancy was looking for employment. The police initially suspected that the killer might have been someone they knew since there were no signs of forced entry. However, as the investigation unfolded, it became apparent that there was more to the story.

As the detectives delved deeper into the couple's past, they discovered that John had been involved in some illegal activities in Nebraska, which had led to him being in debt with some dangerous people. Furthermore, they uncovered evidence that suggested that Nancy might have been involved with another man before her marriage to John. This revelation added a new dimension to the case and made it clear that there were many potential suspects.

The investigation took a turn when the police discovered that John had recently taken out a life insurance policy worth $50,000 on himself and $25,000 on Nancy, despite their precarious financial situation. They also found out that he had named his father, Frank Shelkons, as the sole beneficiary of the policy. This raised suspicions that John might have planned the murder to collect the insurance money and pay off his debts.

However, the case didn't end there. The police soon found out that John's father was not the only beneficiary of the insurance policy. There was another name on the policy - that of a man named Robert "Bobby" Plazek. Bobby was a friend of John and had been helping him with his financial problems. It soon became clear that Bobby was not just a friend, but also a potential love interest of Nancy.

The investigation continued to take unpredictable turns, with several twists and turns, as the police tried to connect the dots and solve the case. Through witness testimonies, forensic evidence, and surveillance footage, they eventually narrowed down the list of suspects, but it took some time before they could make an arrest.

"The Newlywed Murder" is a fascinating episode that highlights the complexities of crime investigations and human relationships. The 1980s The Deadliest Decade season 2 promises to be a thrilling ride for viewers who enjoy true-crime stories that are filled with suspense, drama, and intrigue.