This is one of few documentaries that caused me to get up and lock my windows and doors. The idea of the night stalker, a man wreaking havoc on the entire state of california in the 1980’s sends a shiver down my spine. His gruesome random murders created a state of absolute chaos and panic.
The documentary breakdown begins with the introduction of Detectives Gill Gilbert and Frank Salerno, each driven by their own motivations. Gilbert, a former Vietnam veteran, aspired to be a cop, while Salerno, a seasoned officer, found himself facing an escalating wave of heinous crimes. The victims, subjected to unspeakable brutality, left a community paralyzed with fear.
The meticulous police work, the collaboration of various jurisdictions, and the media's role in disseminating crucial information are unraveled in the narrative.
This riveting journey through the Night Stalker docu-series underscores not only the horror of the crimes but also the resilience and determination of those who sought justice.