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The past four seasons of Very Scary People have examined just that. Some very scary people indeed. Some of America’s scariest, not to mention most infamous, in fact. When the new season premieres on its new home, Investigation Discovery, on Sunday, April 16, that trend will continue, starting with the case of serial killer David Carpenter, aka “The Trailside Killer.”
Let’s take a look at who else each two-hour episode of Very Scary People will profile this season. But first, for those who may not be familiar with the series, let’s take a look at what it’s all about.
About Very Scary People
The series is hosted and executive produced by Donnie Wahlberg. It utilizes in-depth interviews and archival footage to offer comprehensive insight into the twisted crimes the killer committed. But each episode also offers a glimpse into the killer’s background, possible motives, psyche, and the investigations that subsequently brought them to justice.
Interviews come from local authorities and journalists who investigated and covered the cases, as well as those close to both the victims and the killers.
Here are the killers each season has covered so far:
Season 1
- John Wayne Gacy
- Charles Manson
- Roy Charles Waller (“NorCal Rapist”)
- Aileen Wuornos
- The Zodiac Killer
- Jim Jones
Season 2
- David Berkowitz (“Son of Sam”)
- Dennis Rader (“The BTK Killer”)
- Richard Ramirez (“The Night Stalker”)
- Edmund Kemper (“The Co-ed Killer”)
- Robert Durst
- Dr. Michael Swango (“Dr. Death”)
Season 3
- Joseph James DeAngelo Jr. (“The Golden State Killer”)
- Robert Hansen (“The Butcher Baker”)
- The Amityville Horror (Examined the murders of the DeFeo Family that inspired the horror story legend.)
- Rodney Alcala (“The Dating Game Killer”)
- Richard Kuklinski (“The Iceman”)
- John Leonard Orr (“The Firestarter”)
Season 4
- Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka (“The Ken and Barbie Killers”)
- Jesse Matthew Jr. (“The Back to School Killer”)
- Sammy “The Bull” Gravano
- Kenneth Bianchi and Angelo Buono Jr. (“The Hillside Stranglers”)
- Isreal Keyes (“The Cross Country Killer”)
- John Gotti
Very Scary People Season 5 Killers
The season premiere of “The Trailside Killer” on Sunday, April 16 at 9/8c on ID focuses on serial killer David Carpenter. From 1979 to 1981, Carpenter terrorized Northern California’s typically tranquil hiking trails, shocking the quiet community surrounding them with his cold-blooded violence and led local authorities on a twisted and challenging investigation to bring him to justice.
Other disturbing individuals Very Scary People examines this season include:
- Larry Hall, the American murderer and rapist whose true nature was exposed by drug smuggler turned F.B.I. informant James Keene
- Richard Cottingham, the Times Square Killer
- Keith Jesperson, the Happy Face Killer
- John Robinson, the internet’s first serial killer who dubbed himself the “Slavemaster”
- Judy Buenoano, a deadly Black Widow lurking behind the facade of nurse, wife, and mother.
Very Scary People Trailer
For More Info
The new season of Very Scary People will premiere Sunday, April 16 at 9/8c on ID. It will also be available to stream the same day on discovery+. All previous seasons of the series are available to stream now on discovery+.
Follow ID social on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for exclusive videos, articles, and conversations, and to engage with other fans using #VeryScaryPeople.
Check-In
Are you a fan of Very Scary People? (The series, that is. Not the scary people themselves.)
Courtney Mroch is a globe-trotting restless spirit who’s both possessed by wanderlust and the spirit of adventure, and obsessed with true crime, horror, the paranormal, and weird days. Perhaps it has something to do with her genes? She is related to occult royalty, after all. Marie Laveau, the famous Voodoo practitioner of New Orleans, is one of her ancestors. (Yes, really! As explained here.) That could also explain her infatuation with skeletons.
Speaking of mystical, to learn how Courtney channeled her battle with cancer to conjure up this site, check out HJ’s Origin Story.
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I find shows like this interesting, but it’s hard to describe myself as a “fan” of something that showcases such evil in real life. Still, true crime shows do remind us to be careful out there!
Oh, Priscilla, you hit the nail on the head of something I was stumbling with when it came to the Check-In question: the word “fan.” While I’m addicted to true crime, it feels completely icky to use “fan” when it comes to anything having to do with it. But I couldn’t figure out how to phrase it. I love what you said. Their purpose does remind us not everyone means us well, to listen to our gut when it speaks to us, and to, above all, be careful. Gosh, I once again really admire both your wisdom and wordsmithery!