Serial killers and the crimes that remained in the shadows for years

Serial killers have long fascinated and terrified audiences in equal measure. Their crimes often remain unsolved for years, while the perpetrators lead double lives—appearing to be ordinary neighbours, friends or family members. This April, Viasat True Crime presents two programmes that explore such chilling stories. The documentary series Living with a Serial Killer – Season 2 and the documentary The River Valley Killer allow viewers to examine real crimes from different perspectives: not only through the eyes of investigators, but also through those who lived alongside the perpetrators for years without knowing who they truly were.

Living with a Serial Killer – Season 2: when the truth comes to light

PREMIERE: Monday 6 April at 21:00 CET

The second season of the documentary series Living with a Serial Killer focuses on one of the most disturbing aspects of real crime—the experiences of people who spent years living with killers without knowing their true identities.

Each episode explores a different case, told from the perspective of the perpetrators’ families, partners and friends. Among the stories featured are notorious criminals such as Stephen Griffiths, known as the “Crossbow Cannibal,” London killer Levi Bellfield, and nurse Elizabeth Wettlaufer, who confessed to murdering several of her patients.

The programme reveals how easily serial killers can hide their true nature. For many families, the moment the crimes came to light marked the beginning of another nightmare—shock, guilt and the painful question of whether there were warning signs that had gone unnoticed. Through the testimonies of those closest to the perpetrators, viewers will see what life looks like after discovering that someone they trusted completely had been living a horrifying double life.

The River Valley Killer – a murderer who remained hidden for years

PREMIERE: Thursday 16 April at 21:00 CET

In the second half of the month, Viasat True Crime takes viewers to Fort Smith, Arkansas. The documentary The River Valley Killer tells the story of a series of brutal attacks that terrorised the town throughout the 1990s.

The perpetrator broke into the homes of his victims—mostly elderly women—raping and violently assaulting them. For years, the police investigation faced numerous obstacles: suspects emerged only to be cleared later, while the lack of solid evidence made progress extremely difficult.

A breakthrough finally came years later with DNA testing. Investigators discovered that the perpetrator was Charles Ray Vines, a local resident who had long remained outside the circle of suspicion.

The documentary reconstructs the investigation and reveals how the fear of an unidentified attacker shaped the daily lives of Fort Smith residents.

Victims whose stories must not be forgotten

Behind each of these cases are real people and families whose lives were permanently marked by violence. In the case of The River Valley Killer, the victims were primarily elderly women—particularly vulnerable individuals who were attacked in the safety of their own homes.

Meanwhile, Living with a Serial Killer highlights not only the tragedy of the victims but also the ordeal faced by those who lived close to the perpetrators and only later discovered the truth about their loved ones.

Their stories are a reminder that crime does not end with the arrest of the perpetrator—the consequences often linger for many years.

Stories that reveal what can hide behind the appearance of normality

This April, Viasat True Crime invites viewers to take a closer look at these stories and discover how a terrifying truth can sometimes hide behind what seems like ordinary life.

Because the most dangerous perpetrators rarely look like monsters from a film. Often, they are the very people we greet with a “good morning” or pass by on the street every day.