Watch I Survived a Serial Killer

2021
1 Season
6.1 (23)

I Survived a Serial Killer is a true crime documentary series from A&E that premiered in 2013. The show is hosted by journalist Anastasiya Bolton and features interviews with survivors of notorious serial killers, as well as law enforcement officials and other experts. Each episode tells the story of a different survivor, whose harrowing experiences are brought to life through dramatic reenactments. One of the key strengths of I Survived a Serial Killer is its focus on the victims and their experiences. The survivors are given space to share their stories in their own words, and the show does a good job of highlighting the ways in which their lives were affected by the crimes. For many of the survivors, their stories are ones of resilience and survival in the face of unimaginable horror. The show features a range of different serial killers, some of whom are better known than others. One of the most chilling episodes focuses on the crimes of Gary Ridgway, also known as the Green River Killer, who was convicted of murdering at least 49 women in Washington State during the 1980s and 1990s. The survivor interviewed in this episode, Michele Chapman, was one of Ridgway's intended victims, and her testimony is both terrifying and inspiring. Another particularly striking episode explores the crimes of Christopher Wilder, a serial killer who preyed on young women in the United States and Australia in the early 1980s. The survivor featured in this episode is Pat Englade, who was abducted and held captive by Wilder for several days before managing to escape. Englade's story is one of courage and resourcefulness, as she recounts the various strategies she used to stay alive and eventually make her way to safety. Throughout the series, Bolton provides expert commentary and analysis, drawing on her own experience as a crime reporter to provide context and insight into the crimes themselves. She also interviews law enforcement officials and other experts, who provide additional context and perspective on the cases. One aspect of the show that may be somewhat off-putting to some viewers is the use of dramatic reenactments. While these serve to add an extra layer of tension and drama to the survivors' stories, they can also be somewhat cheesy and over-the-top at times. However, the survivors' own testimonies are always at the heart of each episode, and the reenactments are generally kept to a minimum. Overall, I Survived a Serial Killer is a compelling and often deeply moving true crime series. While it is not for the faint of heart, it offers a sobering reminder of the dangers that lurk in the world around us, as well as a celebration of the human spirit's ability to endure even the most horrific of experiences.

Filter by Source

Do you have Apple TV?

What are you waiting for?

Nice! Browse Apple TV with Yidio.

Ad Info

Seasons

18. The House Of Horrors Killer

March 18, 2022

In November of 1986, 25-year-old Josephina Rivera's life comes to a devastating halt when she's kidnapped by 43-year-old Gary Heidnik. Over the next four months, Josephina lives shackled in a basement while her captor abducts four more women to hold hostage in his "house of horrors." Josephina recounts a gripping tale of endurance and the shrewd calculations that helped her devise a plan of escape.

17. Rural Road Reaper

March 18, 2022

In April of 2016, 16-year-old Madison Nygard is walking home from a party in rural Muskegon County, MI when she realizes that she has become lost. When a passing driver pulls over and offers his assistance, Madison is relieved. Little does she realize, that her would-be savior is actually a serial killer--and is eager to make his next kill. In her own words, Madison retells the tale of her brave leap to freedom and her harrowing, narrow escape from a sadistic and depraved predator.

16. Catfishing Killer

March 11, 2022

In November of 2016, Tiffany Taylor is held captive and brutally assaulted in Essex County, New Jersey after agreeing to give a ride to a man in exchange for some much-needed cash. What she doesn't realize however, is that her passenger is a serial killer--who's killed twice before, and is out for blood. Tiffany recalls in her own words how she used her quick wit and drive to survive to manipulate her would-be killer into unwittingly granting her a chance to escape his deadly clutches.

15. The Toybox Killer

March 11, 2022

In 1999, Cynthia Vigil was abducted and held captive for 3 horrific days in Truth or Consequences, NM. Cynthia managed to escape and report her experience to the police. Once her kidnapper, David Parker Ray, is taken to jail, an intense FBI investigation revealed that he has an entire torture chamber unlike anything investigators have ever seen called The Toy Box. Cynthia's heroic escape opens up a Pandora's box of kidnappings, torture and murder. In this episode, Cynthia recounts her incredible act of survival and strength and describes how she put an end to the horror brought on by The Toy Box Killer.

14. The Fast Food Killer

March 4, 2022

On March 23, 1997, during just his third day of work at a local fast food restaurant, Jose Ramirez Gonzalez, along with three co-workers were attacked. Jose's three colleagues were shot to death while Jose was stabbed and left for dead. Their attacker was 39-year-old Paul Dennis Reid Jr: a country-star wannabe who spent nights robbing fast food joints and killing innocent workers. Jose recounts the night he faced off with Paul Dennis Reid in a stock room and managed to survive. A second survivor, Mitch Roberts, who Paul Dennis Reid held at gunpoint in his own driveway, also shares his story.

13. The Cleveland Strangler

February 25, 2022

In September of 2008, Vanessa Gay met Anthony Sowell on a sidewalk in Cleveland Ohio. He invited her to share drinks and drugs at his home. She was unaware that she was walking into a house where 11 of his victims had been hidden and buried. Vanessa recounts her escape from death, as Detective Lemmy Griffin and Prosecutor Rick Bombik walk us through this murderer's capture and sentencing.

12. The Freeway Killer

February 25, 2022

In September of 1975, 14-year-old David McVicker is abducted while hitchhiking home from a friend's house in Garden Grove, CA. His assailant, William Bonin, has an appetite for assaulting young men and boys, and just four short years after attacking David, Bonin embarks on an all out killing spree. David recounts in his own words his persistence and unfailing bravery in the mission to lock up the Freeway Killer, one of the most notoriously vicious serial killers to ever terrorize Southern California.

11. The Craigslist Killer

February 18, 2022

In November 2011, 48-year-old Scott Davis sat in the backseat of a musty Buick--traveling on a rural highway in the Ohio Appalachia. He thought he was on his way to a gig as a farm caretaker, a job he secured on Craigslist. But it was a murderous trap, laid by a psychopathic serial killer named Richard Beasley. Beasley had already murdered three men during a four-month stretch before he encountered Scott. After the shooting, Beasley remained armed, dangerous and on the lamb. Would police be able to find him before the death count mounts?

10. The Dating Game Killer

February 18, 2022

Survivor Morgan Rowan describes for the first time on television how she was brutally attacked in 1968 by social gadfly Rodney Alcala, during a party at his Hollywood home. Just three weeks later, Alcala would abduct and attack 8-year-old Tali Shapiro, who describes her chilling assault in her own words. Morgan and Tali were the only survivors of soon to be serial killer Rodney Alcala, who was convicted of five Southern California murders in the 1970's. Alcala was so wickedly brazen that he actually appeared on an episode of "The Dating Game" during his murderous reign of terror.

9. The Grim Sleeper

February 11, 2022

In November of 1988, 27-year-old Enietra Margette is walking to a party in South Los Angeles, when a neatly dressed man in a souped-up orange pinto offers her a ride. Soon after getting into the car, the driver, Lonnie Franklin, shoots the young passenger point blank in the chest. By this time, he had already committed a string of grisly murders in the city. Enietra recounts in her own words her resilience and keen insights that helped her outwit the would-be murderer.

8. The Mid-Michigan Killer

February 11, 2022

In August of 1978, 14-year-old Lisa Gilbert and her 13-year-old brother, Randy, were attacked by a stranger in their newly built home in Lansing, Michigan. Their attacker was 23-year-old Don Miller. Miller was also a suspect in multiple local disappearance cases spanning the Lansing/East Lansing area. Lisa and Randy each recount Don Miller's attacks on them; East Lansing Detective, Rick Westgate offers insight into the investigation; and author, Rod Sadler provides additional commentary.

7. The Cook Brothers

February 4, 2022

In January of 1981, 18-year-old Cheryl Bartlett Fann was walking home late at night with her fianc Bud, when they were suddenly abducted and taken to an abandoned garage. The assailants, Anthony and Nathaniel Cook had already kidnapped and killed at least two people in Toledo, Ohio. Cheryl recounts in her own words her resilience and the keen insights that helped her outwit the would-be murderers.

6. The Cook Brothers

September 15, 2021

Documents the harrowing, stories of one or more survivors of the same serial killer. Told from the survivors' point of view, the series highlights the strength and perseverance of ordinary people.

5. The Mid-michigan Killer

September 8, 2021

In 1992, 19-year-old Fabienne Witherspoon was trying to help a man down on his luck when he attacked her in her own home. In this episode, Fabienne describes how she bravely waged a physical and psychological war against the man who tried to kill her and helped police apprehend Tommy Lynn Sells. However, the vagrant murderer was not easily stopped. The Coast to Coast Killer was responsible for dozens of brutal deaths across the country before his killing spree was finally brought to an end.

4. The Craigslist Killer

September 1, 2021

3. Tampa Terror

August 25, 2021

In November of 1984, 17-year-old Lisa McVey Noland was biking home from her job working the night shift at a local Tampa donut shop when she was suddenly snatched off her bike and abducted. Her assailant, 31-year-old Bobby Joe Long, had already killed at least ten women before holding Lisa hostage in his apartment. Lisa recounts in her own words her resilience and the keen insights that helped her outwit her would-be murderer.

2. The Railroad Killer

August 19, 2021

A fun night with her boyfriend turned into a nightmare for Holly Dunn, a junior at the University of Kentucky in 1997. Somehow, Holly managed to escape her attacker by following railway tracks to a nearby house. After similar deadly attacks occur along the railroads in multiple states, Holly realizes she was the sole survivor of Angel Resendiz, AKA The Railway Killer. Over a two-year period, Resendiz would go on to kill at least nine people and possibly as many as thirty--riding the rails incognito to commit his diabolical acts.

1. Desert Demon

August 18, 2021

In September of 1992, 17-year-old Jennifer Asbenson is kidnapped and driven into the most desolate part of Palm Desert, CA. Her attacker, 32-year-old Andrew Urdiales, has already killed multiple women before luring his latest victim into his car. Jennifer recounts in her own words her fight to stay alive and escape the clutches of her would-be killer.

Description

One of the key strengths of I Survived a Serial Killer is its focus on the victims and their experiences. The survivors are given space to share their stories in their own words, and the show does a good job of highlighting the ways in which their lives were affected by the crimes. For many of the survivors, their stories are ones of resilience and survival in the face of unimaginable horror.

The show features a range of different serial killers, some of whom are better known than others. One of the most chilling episodes focuses on the crimes of Gary Ridgway, also known as the Green River Killer, who was convicted of murdering at least 49 women in Washington State during the 1980s and 1990s. The survivor interviewed in this episode, Michele Chapman, was one of Ridgway's intended victims, and her testimony is both terrifying and inspiring.

Another particularly striking episode explores the crimes of Christopher Wilder, a serial killer who preyed on young women in the United States and Australia in the early 1980s. The survivor featured in this episode is Pat Englade, who was abducted and held captive by Wilder for several days before managing to escape. Englade's story is one of courage and resourcefulness, as she recounts the various strategies she used to stay alive and eventually make her way to safety.

Throughout the series, Bolton provides expert commentary and analysis, drawing on her own experience as a crime reporter to provide context and insight into the crimes themselves. She also interviews law enforcement officials and other experts, who provide additional context and perspective on the cases.

One aspect of the show that may be somewhat off-putting to some viewers is the use of dramatic reenactments. While these serve to add an extra layer of tension and drama to the survivors' stories, they can also be somewhat cheesy and over-the-top at times. However, the survivors' own testimonies are always at the heart of each episode, and the reenactments are generally kept to a minimum.

Overall, I Survived a Serial Killer is a compelling and often deeply moving true crime series. While it is not for the faint of heart, it offers a sobering reminder of the dangers that lurk in the world around us, as well as a celebration of the human spirit's ability to endure even the most horrific of experiences.

I Survived a Serial Killer is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (18 episodes). The series first aired on August 18, 2021.

Where to Watch I Survived a Serial Killer

I Survived a Serial Killer is available for streaming on the A&E website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch I Survived a Serial Killer on demand at Apple TV.