Ep 5. Cary Stayner

Cary Stayner had a seemingly normal life until tragedy struck his family when his younger brother was kidnapped and murdered. This traumatic event would eventually lead Stayner down a dark path of violence and murder, making him one of the world's most evil killers.

In this episode of World's Most Evil Killers season 2, viewers will be taken through Stayner's twisted journey, from his upbringing in a dysfunctional family to the brutal murders he would commit in his adulthood.

The episode begins with a focus on Stayner's childhood, where he grew up with an abusive, alcoholic father and a mother who suffered from depression. Stayner would later describe his childhood as "chaotic and horrifying," and it's not difficult to understand why. Despite being a victim of abuse, Stayner's father seemed to favor him over his other siblings, a fact that would no doubt fuel resentment and jealousy.

Things would take a turn for the worse when Stayner's younger brother Steven was abducted by a pedophile named Kenneth Parnell. Despite the best efforts of law enforcement, Steven was not found until seven years later, murdered by Parnell. The tragedy of losing his brother would have a profound impact on Stayner and begin the descent towards his own criminal behavior.

As an adult, Stayner worked as a handyman at a lodge near Yosemite National Park in California. It was here that he would commit his first murder, targeting two women staying at the lodge and brutally killing them. The police investigation into the murders would reveal that Stayner had a fascination with serial killers, including notorious murderer Ted Bundy.

From there, Stayner would continue his killing spree, targeting tourists and hikers in Yosemite National Park. His methods were sadistic and brutal, with some victims being sexually assaulted and decapitated. The murders shocked the nation and put Yosemite on the map for all the wrong reasons.

Eventually, Stayner was caught by law enforcement and sentenced to death for his crimes. In court, he showed no remorse for his actions and even blamed his upbringing and the death of his brother for his behavior. The episode delves into the psychology of Stayner, looking at how his traumatic childhood and fascination with serial killers contributed to his heinous crimes.

Throughout the episode, experts and law enforcement officials offer insight into Stayner's behavior and the impact his crimes had on the community. They paint a picture of a disturbed individual who was not only driven by a desire for power and control but also by a desire to be recognized for his crimes.

In the end, viewers are left with a chilling portrait of one of the world's most evil killers, a man whose heinous crimes forever changed the lives of those he targeted and left an indelible mark on the history of true crime.