In every episode of the docuseries I Survived a Serial Killer, survivors state their name and turn the show’s title into a declarative statement: “I survived a serial killer.” Then, with the help of experts, scene re-creations, and their own memories, the survivors tell their stories. The crimes documented in the 16-episode series span decades and occurred in different locales across the United States, from California to New York and from Michigan to Florida. But they all have one thing in common: Every episode details a survivor’s remarkable bravery and perseverance after coming face-to-face with a serial killer and living to tell the tale. Read on to learn more about the true-crime documentary series now streaming on Netflix.
I Survived a Serial Killer’s 20-minute episodes are told from the point of view of the survivors, putting their voices front and center. Many of the subjects — the majority of whom are women — have similar stories: They’re often young, approached by a strange man asking for help, offering a ride, or following them home. In many cases, the survivors’ testimonies served as crucial evidence to help put their attackers behind bars. The episodes also utilize crime scene photos, detailed timelines, and scene re-creation to rebuild the narrative.
In the episode “Tampa Terror,” Lisa McVey Noland recalls being abducted in 1984 by Bobby Joe Long, who was later linked to the deaths of at least 10 women in the Tampa Bay, Florida, area. Noland was 17 years old and riding her bicycle home from her late-night shift at a local donut shop when she noticed a car parked near a church. She was yanked off her bike by Long, who she calls a “demon.” As in the other episodes, testimony from investigators, legal analysts, reporters, and other experts add context to her story and provide insight into the case. And in the episode “The Coast to Coast Killer,” Fabienne Witherspoon of Charleston, West Virginia, relates her story: When she was 19 years old in 1992, she met a “scruffy” man on the street who was holding a sign that read “Will work for food.” She offered to get him something to eat, and he followed her before threatening her with a knife (which she later used against him) and sexually assaulting her. That man was Tommy Lynn Sells, who eventually confessed to killing at least 50 people over the course of 30 years. Witherspoon, like the other subjects in this docuseries, managed to escape. While telling their harrowing stories in the series, many of the survivors say that they owe their lives to luck and good timing. But the through line in all the narratives is each survivor’s strength and tenacity when faced with some of the world’s most violent criminals.
Yes, I Survived a Serial Killer retells survivors’ true accounts of their experience with a serial killer. However, some of the killers are more widely known than others. They include: Richard Beasley (aka The Craigslist Killer), Ángel Reséndiz (The Railroad Killer), David Parker Ray (The Toy Box Killer), Lonnie Franklin Jr. (The Grim Sleeper), Rodney Alcala (The Dating Game Killer), and Gary Heidnik (The House of Horrors Killer).
Editor’s note: If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, information and resources are available at www.wannatalkaboutit.com.
