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Most Evil is an American forensics television program on Investigation Discovery presented by forensic psychiatrist Michael Stone of Columbia University. On the show, Stone rates murderers on a scale of evil that Stone himself has developed. The show features profiles on various murderers, serial killers, mass murderers and psychopaths.
2006
"Killer Lies" looks at recent history's most deceptive killers, including Susan Smith, who claimed her sons had been kidnapped, and John List, who slaughtered his family and then mysteriously disappeared. From Nathan Bar-Jonah, a suspected cannibal-murderer, to the notorious BTK killer, we'll examine these criminals who terrorized their own communities. With breakthrough imaging science, we will peer into the minds of these impulsive liars and serial predators to explore why deception is such a dangerous weapon in the hands of the most evil.
The most notorious killers -- Bundy, Gacy, Ridgway, Sells -- have claimed hundreds of victims and share one thing in common. They are all psychopaths. It is estimated that one in every 100 people is a psychopath. But what pushed these psychopaths into serial murder? Was it nature or nurture? To understand their savage brutality, we will travel back into their childhoods, reveal startling new scientific research about psychopaths and meet one of these killers face to face.
More than 90 percent of murders are committed by men. But what motivates the women who are driven to kill? Most female murderers kill those closest to them, like Mary Beth Tinning, who admitted to smothering at least some of the nine children who mysteriously died in her care. A neurologist who studies the structure of the brain finds striking differences in one region of the brain between men and women. Is this a clue to their different capacities for violence?
Why do people kill together? How do the evil thoughts of one become the evil deeds of two? We probe the physiology of love and the power of authority as we unravel the motive and methods of some of the most notorious accomplice killers. From Ian Brady and Myra Hindley, Britain's "Moors Murderers," who brutally murdered five children, to Charles Lake and Leonard Ng, who tried to create a colony of sex slaves, the secrets of these evil partnerships are revealed.
What lies in the mind of the psycho killer? Ed Gein robbed graves to harvest the skin of his victims. Arthur Shawcross strangled prostitutes and ate their remains. Gary Heidink tortured six women in his basement for months. In each case, these killers claimed they were unaware of what's real and what's imagined. What triggered their violence? To understand their atrocities, we will examine the real science of psychosis and meet one of these killers face to face.
Engineers of the most diabolical plots; killers with the most deviant desires -- Columbia University forensic psychiatrist Dr. Michael Stone explores the murderous world of these deviant killers to find out how their desires form and what drives them to carry out their fantasies. The killers featured include Jerome Brudos, whose deviant desires started with a shoe fetish as a young boy, and ended with the brutal murder and mutilation of four women as an adult; and Jeffrey Dahmer, who infamously tortured, murdered and mutilated 17 men and boys.
Is there a recipe for creating a serial killer? An explanation for why someone would commit such heinous acts? Science has long avoided the concept of evil – until now. Researchers are unlocking the mysteries of violence, by probing the forces of nature and nurture. Using shocking examples of brutal crime, "The Science of Murder" explores whether killers are forged in abusive homes, or if some people are actually wired to be cold-blooded. In their examination of the most violent killers, these scientists confront a controversial question: could any of us be capable of evil?
In his quest to understand evil, Dr. Michael Stone travels across the United States to meet some of the country's most notorious killers in person. What emerges from these conversations is insight into the often disturbing world of the criminal mind. From the denials of a convicted child molester, to the frank admission of guilt of a man who claims to have killed as many as 70 people, a human voice emerges from the chaos and violence. To prevent violent crime, we must understand it, and this hour will bring it into sharp focus.
2014
Three master manipulators. Each committed acts of unspeakable evil...Taylor Helzer orchestrated brutal murders in the name of God. Sylvia White killed anyone she felt was in her way...including her four-year old stepson.
Control freaks seek to gain power through murder. Ronald Gene Simmons was a mass murderer who killed 16 people. Richard Angelo was a nurse who poisoned patients to save them. Billie Wayne Coble was a domineering father, and murderer.
Anything can set off a rage killer. Gerald Stano craved the company of women but lashed out when he felt he was being mocked. When Robert Lopez found a girlfriend, he flipped a switch between obsessive love and blind rage.
Stone cold killers attack without a moment's hesitation. Maksim Gelman stabbed random strangers throughout New York City. Henry Lee Lucas was a barbaric necrophiliac who claims to have killed hundreds. And Joseph Paul Franklin killed at least 15 people.
Sexual deviants are aroused by the act of murder. Gerard Shaefer was a trusted policeman who bound, raped and murdered his victims. Richard Hooten was a serial rapist who went after his neighbors. And Wayne Adam Ford killed at least 4 women for pleasure.
antasy killers imagine every aspect of their crime in detail. Daniel Conahan lured men into the woods to torture them. Angela Sanford killed as part of a satanic ritual. And Harvey Robinson stalked women, then raped and strangled them in their homes.
Deceptive killers walk among us wearing a mask of innocence. Everyone thought janitor Kendall Francois was a gentle giant... until police found the eight bodies he'd hidden. Doyle Kelley was convicted of murdering his first...and second wives.
Ego Maniac killers think only of themselves, and thus commit egregious crimes without remorse. Truck driver Robert Rhoades raped and tortured hitchhikers in a specially designed chamber in the back of his cab.
The attention-seeking killer commits crimes for the spotlight it incurs. George Russell boasted of his importance, ultimately killing the women whose attention he could never get. Eddie Seda jumped on the coattails of the famed Zodiac killer.
In the wild, a predator instinctively knows: eat or be eaten. For predator killers, murder is just as natural. Jack Spillman proved his bestiality by drinking his victim's blood. Levi King ambushed a sleeping family with an AK-47.
2007
What happens in the mind of jealous lovers turned into enraged killers? From impulsive crimes of passion to the terrifying revenge spree of Andrew Cunanan, killer of world-famous fashion designer Gianni Versace, Dr. Stone unravels how the psychology of love can become the psychology of murder. The FBI deputy director who led the Cunanan manhunt, leads viewers through his search for an unstoppable killer consumed by jealous rage.
What happens when delusion, obsession, and jealousy collide? Violent stalkers are among the most terrifying criminals, preying on victims with a chilling determination. What can explain this relentless drive, and what triggers violence in the mind of a stalker? Neuro-psychology is explored on the cases of four notorious stalkers, to provide insights into the science of deadly obsession. Robert Bardo, killer of television actress Rebecca Schaeffer, speaks from prison to give Dr. Stone his first-person account of the crime.
Featuring cutting-edge science that may finally reveal the neurological cause of violent schizophrenia, three delusional minds are profiled. Though most schizophrenics never become violent, some of the world's most notorious crimes have involved people whose bizarre breaks from reality have pushed them to murder. Some, like Bob Mullin, who killed 13 people, even hear voices commanding them to kill.
Dr. Stone's scale of evil has decoded the complex psychology of the country's most notorious criminals. But can it be used to reveal new clues for unsolved crimes? Cold cases, including that of the infamous Black Dahlia, will be reopened as Dr. Stone profiles killers who may still be at large. He'll venture into prison to meet face-to-face with alleged Lipstick Murderer Bill Heirens.
From the 1995 sarin nerve gas attack in Japan to the Manson murders, some of the most horrific cult killings were carried out not by the cult leaders who planned them, but by willing followers. How do these members become so entrenched in cult thinking that they become active participants in evil? Dr. Stone unearths the psychology of persuasion and indoctrination by interviewing surviving cult member Tim Carter, one of only three to survive the 1978 Jonestown massacre. And he'll meet face-to-face with Ron Luff, serving a life sentence for his part in the cult murders of the Avery family. Is there something psychologically unique to violent cult members, or can any one of us be drawn in?
Over the last few decades, spree killings and mass murders have been on the rise. So-called "rage killers" are different from serial murderers, their anger building until they turn it loose on society, killing as many people as they can in a very short period of time. What links these acts of evil? From Charles Whitman, the Texas clock tower sniper, to Charles Starkweather, the real "Natural Born Killer," science reveals new clues into the psychology behind these seemingly senseless crimes.
Some killers seek credit for their crimes. They play cat-and-mouse games with police, leave calling cards at crime scenes, and even send letters to newspapers. In each case, the quest for infamy leaves a devastating trail of destruction. From New York City's infamous "Son of Sam" to the terrifying spree of the DC Snipers, what causes some people to choose murder as a means to notoriety? With groundbreaking science on the origins of malignant narcissism, Dr. Stone profiles three murderers whose need for glory and control led them to incredible evil.
The most intelligent serial murderers can be the most dangerous. Edmund Kemper, Unabomber Ted Kaczynski, and Randy Kraft all showed genius-level IQs, and their extraordinary intellect allowed them to kill for years-sometimes decades-without getting caught. What lies at the intersection of evil and intelligence? Dr. Stone, armed with new scientific discoveries on early brain development, analyzes Kemper, Kaczynski, and Kraft to find out what made these killers' use their cunning for crime.
Revenge is one of the more common motives for murder. Much less comprehensible and much more dangerous are killers who are not content with eliminating the object of their hatred. Seeking out anyone who reminds them of the enemy, they kill again and again. "Mad Dog" McCafferty killed three people to avenge his son's death. Anatoly Onoprienko, abandoned in an orphanage by his father, sought out revenge on any happy family he encountered. What accounts for violent vengeance? Dr. Stone probes the science of revenge to profile these killers, looking for clues that might shed light on their motives.
Even with a mix of narcissism, paranoia, and undeniable charisma, cult leaders normally don't become violent. But when they do, the consequences can be staggering. With an army of loyal followers at their command, they have the power to act out their most deluded fantasies on a scale that rivals the worst serial killers. Analyzing three of 20th century's most deadly cult leaders, Dr. Stone investigates. Vincent Bugliosi, the man who prosecuted Charles Manson, explored one of the world's most shocking crimes, and into the mind of a notorious murderer.
Charles Manson's name is synonymous with evil itself. Almost forty years after the Tate-LaBianca murders, history's most infamous criminal still inspires fascination and fear. But Manson himself never killed anyone. Instead, he convinced young, middle-class men and women to commit unthinkable acts of violence. Forensic psychiatrist Dr. Michael Stone speaks with two of Manson's followers to gain insight into his power: Catherine Share, known in the family as "gypsy," and Barbara Hoyt, a follower who nearly became Manson's next victim. Vincent Bugliosi, the man who put Manson and his most devoted followers behind bars, retraces his investigation into Manson and his motives. With his scale of evil, Dr. Stone investigates what gave Manson his incredible powers of manipulation . . . and why his name still generates such fear.
Killers, plagued by madness and driven by delusions and false beliefs. Their minds make irrational connections that result in horrifying acts of evil. In this hour, Dr. Michael Stone explores the twisted minds of killers that create false realities that will lead to violence. He examines the cases of Michael Owen Perry, a man obsessed with Olivia Newton John and overwhelmed by mental illness leading him to murder five family members; Joseph Kallinger, who believed he was on a mission from God that will ultimately drive him to rape, torture and murder; and Michael McDermott, who went on a workplace shooting spree after claiming his co-workers were Nazis. Dr. Stone explores the nature of delusions and how they impact a killer's ranking on his scale of evil.
Scheming killers. Liars and con artists who deceive their families, their friends and the public. They use their intelligence to get away with murder. What drives these manipulating minds and who is most evil? Dr. Michael Stone is evaluating the cases of individuals who have planned and schemed to commit heinous crimes. Diane Downs blames a hitchhiker for shooting her children, but a surviving daughter says her mother pulled the trigger. Michael Swango was a brilliant doctor with a dark fascination. He is suspected of killing up to 60 patients. John Robinson fooled his family and community into thinking he was an upstanding citizen and entrepreneur. In reality, he was profiting from the deaths of vulnerable women. Dr. Stone then travels to Georgia to interview Martha Ann Johnson, who was convicted of killing her daughter in an attempt to get her husband back. How do schemers fool the people around them and what makes them different from other killers?
Cannibals - vampires. Murderers who feed on humans. Driven by desires and delusions, these criminals not only kill they also consume flesh and drink blood. What causes these people to commit the ultimate taboo? Dr. Stone explores the cases of Armin Meiwes, who prowls the internet looking for a dinner guest to eat; Richard Chase who hears voices telling him to consume blood and organs or he will die and Rod Ferrell, a man who believes he is a vampire. Dr. Stone hopes to discover what motivates these crimes and who is most evil.
Women who kill. They often target those closest to them; partners, family members, friends. Columbia forensic psychiatrist Dr. Michael Stone uses his scale of evil to understand the minds and motives of women who commit murder. Do women kill less than men, or does the stereotype of being the gentler sex enable them to get away with more heinous crimes? Dorothea Puente cared for elderly alcoholics in her home and killed them with poison one by one; Judy Neelley kidnapped and tortured young women; Betty Broderick, the perfect housewife and mother, gunned down her ex-husband when he left her for a younger woman. Dr. Stone's examination of murderous women highlights who is most evil.
Redemption. The atonement of guilt. Is it possible for killers to reform and change their lives? Or are murderers always evil? For decades, Dr. Michael Stone has explored the nature of evil, examining the heinous crimes people commit. But now Dr. Stone will use his scale to explore a new question: is evil a constant state? Is redemption possible? Can a killer change? Dr. Stone interviews Billy Wayne Sinclair, a convicted murderer sentenced to death; Archie McCafferty, a self admitted killer given three life terms; Daniel Nieto, a life time gangster and Helen Prejan, a spiritual counselor who has witnessed multiple executions. He will explore their crimes and their lives.
Gangs. They lure members with promises of respect, money and power. From armed robbery to murder, they are responsible for some of the most brutal crimes. What drives gangsters to kill? Forensic psychiatrist Dr. Michael Stone examines the world's deadliest gangsters, delving into the cases of psychopathic mafia hitman Richard Kuklinski; Paul and Herman Petrillo, who operate a deadly Philadelphia murder ring; Ervil LeBaron, a polygamist Mormon leader who runs his church like the mafia; and Ismael Cisneros, whose affiliation with street gang MS-13 leads him to murder one of his best friends. Dr. Stone speaks face-to-face with Joseph Salcedo, a Los Angeles gangster whose participation in a retaliatory murder landed him behind bars. Using his scale of evil, Dr. Stone analyzes each killer's vicious acts to determine who is most evil.
What makes a murderer? Can malfunctions in the brain compel someone to commit acts of extreme cruelty? Are killers born or made? This hour follows Columbia University forensic psychiatrist Dr. Michael Stone on his journey to better understand why people kill. We hear from a variety of scientists about their work and examine possible scientific explanations for violent behavior.
Brutal killers. What motivates their heinous crimes? One man goes face to face with violent criminals to unlock the minds of the most evil. In this hour, forensic psychiatrist Dr. Michael Stone uses one-on-one interviews to gain insight into the motives, methods and minds of murderers. What caused these people to commit brutal acts of violence? Can their own words give us insight into the nature of their crimes?
How do you track a killer? When a homicide is discovered, police must consider every possible motive and suspect if they are to bring the perpetrator to justice. Detectives must delve into the criminal mind in hopes of identifying a killer and preventing future acts of violence. In this hour, Dr. Michael Stone, forensic psychiatrist at Columbia University examines the process involved in identifying and capturing vicious killers.
