We all have been bingeing this show for such a long time and I feel like some of us have picked up character traits or precautions from watching some of these cases.

What have you noticed that you pay more attention to now?


I for one can say that I am very conscientious about my surroundings and I try not to create a pattern when leaving home for work daily. I live in a large apartment complex and I leave for work at night. I never leave at the same time and I try not to create a predictable pattern. Call me paranoid but I always think of Jodi Huisentruit. Sometimes I leave 20 minutes early or a little later than usual just so I am not leaving at the same time daily.


Also when I am being pulled over I usually take an extra minute or so before coming to a complete stop to call a loved one and let them know where I am and that I am being pulled over. If the cop asks what took me so long to pull over I will simply say I didn't see them at first.

UM made me never ever want to have a roommate. I wouldn't even let my cousin move into my spare bedroom. I like my own space and living with someone even a friend or family member is usually a sure sign to ruin the relationship. I just feel like it never works out and people on UM have come up dead having roommates.

I'm always aware of my drink when I am out socializing. If I have to use the restroom depending upon who I am around I will not finish the drink once I come back. Call me paranoid but I witnessed a friend get slipped something and it sent her into a psychotic state she lost her athletic scholarship because it took her months to get back to her old self. Pay attention to your drink ladies and gentlemen.

We all have been bingeing this show for such a long time and I feel like some of us have picked up character traits or precautions from watching some of these cases.

What have you noticed that you pay more attention to now?


I for one can say that I am very conscientious about my surroundings and I try not to create a pattern when leaving home for work daily. I live in a large apartment complex and I leave for work at night. I never leave at the same time and I try not to create a predictable pattern. Call me paranoid but I always think of Jodi Huisentruit. Sometimes I leave 20 minutes early or a little later than usual just so I am not leaving at the same time daily.


Also when I am being pulled over I usually take an extra minute or so before coming to a complete stop to call a loved one and let them know where I am and that I am being pulled over. If the cop asks what took me so long to pull over I will simply say I didn't see them at first.

UM made me never ever want to have a roommate. I wouldn't even let my cousin move into my spare bedroom. I like my own space and living with someone even a friend or family member is usually a sure sign to ruin the relationship. I just feel like it never works out and people on UM have come up dead having roommates.

I'm always aware of my drink when I am out socializing. If I have to use the restroom depending upon who I am around I will not finish the drink once I come back. Call me paranoid but I witnessed a friend get slipped something and it sent her into a psychotic state she lost her athletic scholarship because it took her months to get back to her old self. Pay attention to your drink ladies and gentlemen.

Jodi's case, however.. Was that she was actually late the day she disappeared. Had overslept. So.. That's one of the things that's always bothered me about that case. The suspects.. It's basically said they were stalking her and laid in wait for her that morning.

The part that doesn't ring true about that.. she wasn't on her normal schedule. If you're planning to kidnap someone who should be coming out her door at 4:45am on the dot.. And.. It's 5:15am.. and she hasn't come out yet.. Just seems to me, that'd be an immediate abort. Try again another day.

Being pulled over.. Just slow down, turn on your interior light.. Wave to the cop behind you.. They'll pretty much understand. acting like you didn't see bright-ass flashing lights behind you, at least at night.. Not going to get you off on the right foot. Cops will understand you wanting to find a 'safe' place.. Within reason. They won't be happy about you lying to them.

Roommates.. Double edged sword.. Take the Nyquil lady that was poisoned. Probably, if she has a roommate.. She's alive. assuming that was murder.. I've always had a mild suspicion of suicide in that case. Mild. So.. roommates can be the cause or the prevention. Flip of the coin.

Drink spiking.. Not much to say there other than.. Smart. Yeah. It's rather rare, but that crap happens. Don't accept drinks from others. Finish your drink if you have to go to the bathroom.. Or be willing to pour it out.

Maybe the awareness of a hitchhiker and the problems this can cause. Now, I have still pulled over and helped someone with their car. Even given them a ride where they had to go as recently as 15 years ago. Cell phones are more rampant now and this has all but cancelled hitchhiking. I've always felt you are far safer hitchhiking and seeking out a ride than the other way around. If you are stranded, you know you are stranded and a person that stops is taking a much bigger risk than you are. But if you are driving and a person is looking for a lift then there is a bigger risk that it is a trap. It probably isn't, but UM has shown a time or two where a good deed had someone end up dead.

I am a big man, I have always sort of felt that I sort of am my own security. I don't strike anyone as the type of target for crime. In other words, if there was a choice they aren't going to come after me if there is the opportunity for a smaller person, or a female for instance. Granted, this isn't a lock by any means, I know it can still happen, but I am not really concerned about it. Hasn't happened yet.

That being said, I still would be smart about things. It might still not be a good idea to stop at a dark rest stop. Just like the woman who may have encountered the I-70 killer. She was pregnant, stopped and got a drink out of the vending machine, hung around for a few minutes and nearly got killed over it. To me it is far wiser to just pull into a gas station or stop at a truck stop where there are plenty of truckers and enough light.

Jodi's case, however.. Was that she was actually late the day she disappeared. Had overslept. So.. That's one of the things that's always bothered me about that case. The suspects.. It's basically said they were stalking her and laid in wait for her that morning.

The part that doesn't ring true about that.. she wasn't on her normal schedule. If you're planning to kidnap someone who should be coming out her door at 4:45am on the dot.. And.. It's 5:15am.. and she hasn't come out yet.. Just seems to me, that'd be an immediate abort. Try again another day.

But there’s no reason to abort because it’s 5:15 a.m. and nobody else is going to be out and about at that time of morning. All the perfect advantages for an abductor were available. Time of morning with no witnesses, an apartment complex that wasn’t gated, extremely easy escape route. If you’re going to all the trouble to scope this person out like this, waiting another 30 minutes is really not that much of an obstacle. And that’s what makes this abduction even more creepy. It was just too easy to pull off. Jodi oversleeping and running late that morning made no difference.

But there’s no reason to abort because it’s 5:15 a.m. and nobody else is going to be out and about at that time of morning. All the perfect advantages for an abductor were available. Time of morning with no witnesses, an apartment complex that wasn’t gated, extremely easy escape route. If you’re going to all the trouble to scope this person out like this, waiting another 30 minutes is really not that much of an obstacle. And that’s what makes this abduction even more creepy. It was just too easy to pull off. Jodi oversleeping and running late that morning made no difference.

Just pumping the brakes here and saying that this is all assuming that the theory is correct. Whatever that 'friend' was that they seem to think is the leading suspect.

My point being.. If that guy is innocent, it wouldn't be the first time that a presumed suspect had nothing to do with anything. Think Richard Jewell.

I won't say you're wrong. Won't say I'm right.. This is one of those cases that we just don't know. But it seems this kidnapping was pretty well planned.. Doesn't seem that it was a random abduction. All I can say is that if *I* had planned this out and she didn't come out of her house at the prescribed time, or at least fairly close to it.. I wouldn't hang around longer and risk being identified or having the cops called for a suspicious person/vehicle hanging around.

I was hoping someone would bring this up, but I will have to speak up. When I go hiking, I refuse to look closely at rocks, especially ones with weird symbols and writings. I want nothing to do with any Mystery Rock based upon the Johnson family.

Look I have no idea how to manage a dress shop in a mall and I am beyond clueless when it comes to running a cinema. Moreover, I can't afford to live in someone's house rent free in lieu of light repairs.

Sorry, I will keep my eyes elsewhere when walking in the woods.

That being said, I still would be smart about things. It might still not be a good idea to stop at a dark rest stop. Just like the woman who may have encountered the I-70 killer. She was pregnant, stopped and got a drink out of the vending machine, hung around for a few minutes and nearly got killed over it. To me it is far wiser to just pull into a gas station or stop at a truck stop where there are plenty of truckers and enough light.

Good advice, but I believe you are referring to the Connecticut River Valley killer. That typed, I too could be remembering wrong.

I'd think twice about having my wad shot by a hot jock in a rest stop restroom.

Being pulled over.. Just slow down, turn on your interior light.. Wave to the cop behind you.. They'll pretty much understand. acting like you didn't see bright-ass flashing lights behind you, at least at night.. Not going to get you off on the right foot. Cops will understand you wanting to find a 'safe' place.. Within reason. They won't be happy about you lying to them.

Also call dispatch or 911. Just tell them you're being pulled over by an unmarked car and want to make sure it is an actual law enforcement officer, and if it is you're trying to find a well lit area. They'll be able to get in contact with the one pulling you over and let them know what's going on, and if it's somebody impersonating a cop they'll send a unit to your location.

Gretchen Burford - This case has caused me PTSD and made me obsessive compulsive about always checking my backseat before entering my car. Mind you, I always lock my car doors. It became a reflex to do that long ago. But I still have the need to make sure there is nobody hiding in the backseat with a knife.

Gretchen Burford - This case has caused me PTSD and made me obsessive compulsive about always checking my backseat before entering my car. Mind you, I always lock my car doors. It became a reflex to do that long ago. But I still have the need to make sure there is nobody hiding in the backseat with a knife.

I’ve always checked. When I was a child I heard my mother and aunts tell a similar story and it has always stayed with me.

Gretchen Burford - This case has caused me PTSD and made me obsessive compulsive about always checking my backseat before entering my car. Mind you, I always lock my car doors. It became a reflex to do that long ago. But I still have the need to make sure there is nobody hiding in the backseat with a knife.

The "Debbie" case also freaks me out. Now, I don't believe her locking the door would have necessarily made the biggest difference considering he had a gun and could have just fired at her through the window, but she could potentially have been able to drive away and he may not have wanted to draw attention to himself in the parking lot. Hitting lock as soon as I get in my car is my MO. It's as ingrained in me as putting on my seat belt.

I haven't taken ZZQuil the same since Patsy Wright.

The "Debbie" case also freaks me out. Now, I don't believe her locking the door would have necessarily made the biggest difference considering he had a gun and could have just fired at her through the window, but she could potentially have been able to drive away and he may not have wanted to draw attention to himself in the parking lot. Hitting lock as soon as I get in my car is my MO. It's as ingrained in me as putting on my seat belt.

I still battle with what I would have done when he was inside the gas station (coffee shop?). I have the feeling he wouldn’t have shot the customers in the store because that would have made things infinitely harder for a getaway. But there’s no guarantee of that. Plus, there’s always the possibility he could try and shoot you as you’re fleeing your car…and you’re not going to outrun a bullet.

You also have to keep in mind that at that moment, you’re in a state of shock combined with actual trauma. So anything you think you might have done is also not written in stone.

You also have to keep in mind that at that moment, you’re in a state of shock combined with actual trauma. So anything you think you might have done is also not written in stone.

100%. You will never know exactly what you will do or how the perpetrator will act. Is it right to obey and you'll be let go unharmed later (like in a similar bank robbery episode on UM)? Is it right to disobey (I-70 killer's command to go into the back room)? It's totally up in the air what the key to survival/escape is. How you'll react is another matter entirely. I'd like to think I could be like the lady in the Bird Road Rapist segment who ducked down and drove away unharmed or the guy who broke through his own glass door in the Joe Weldon Smith segment; in reality, I'd probably freeze. It's a terrifying thought.

100%. You will never know exactly what you will do or how the perpetrator will act. Is it right to obey and you'll be let go unharmed later (like in a similar bank robbery episode on UM)? Is it right to disobey (I-70 killer's command to go into the back room)? It's totally up in the air what the key to survival/escape is. How you'll react is another matter entirely. I'd like to think I could be like the lady in the Bird Road Rapist segment who ducked down and drove away unharmed or the guy who broke through his own glass door in the Joe Weldon Smith segment; in reality, I'd probably freeze. It's a terrifying thought.

How you react is probably subconscious based on how the people in front of you are acting.

There's a large number of cases of fast food places being robbed and the whole crew being found dead in the freezer.. But.. Far more places are robbed and the robbers just scurry off. Let's just use those as the example.

Now, when you're looking at those robbers.. I can guaran-damn-tee you that ALL those thoughts are going through your mind and more. And.. You'll likely be most influenced by how THEY are acting, even if you don't realize it in the moment.. If you see something that gives you the idea that they're not leaving anyone alive.. You're probably going to take a totally different course of action than if you read them as just a couple of asshats looking for a quick buck and once they get it, they'll leave.


Now.. The smartest play in a situation.. Best advice I ever got was my first job.. Owner said if someone came in there saying they wanted all the money, whether they had/were showing a gun or not.. You pulled the till out of the cash register, handed it to them, and asked if they wanted an ice cream with that.

My first job was a Dairy Queen.

You want to keep them on the door side of the counter. Because that gives them an incentive to use said door. Once they come around.. Things can get really sketchy, really quick.

A frustrating factor is sometimes even when you follow all directions from an assailant, it can end horribly. The show, ‘See No Evil,’ did an episode on Amy Lord a couple years ago. She woke up early to go jogging and as soon as she opened her front door, was immediately grabbed by a man with a knife. He forced her to drive him to ATM’s all around Boston to withdraw all her savings. At one point, he waits in the car and she walks into a bank to withdraw money from the ATM. She can easily escape at this point. The car is parked on a one-way busy street. He’s still inside the car with his back to the bank. There are people out and about. She’s in the clear now. If she takes off running in the opposite direction, there’s no way he’s going to catch her. Instead, she gets the money and goes back in the car with him. And when he’s done with her, he stabs her to death.

Many, MANY people have agonized and pulled their hair out over why she didn’t try to escape when she had the chance. And clinical psychologists have said trauma can affect you to the point where your fear overrides all logic and you convince yourself that simply following instructions is your only way to survival.

I do a Burford check every time I get in my car at night.

A frustrating factor is sometimes even when you follow all directions from an assailant, it can end horribly. The show, ‘See No Evil,’ did an episode on Amy Lord a couple years ago. She woke up early to go jogging and as soon as she opened her front door, was immediately grabbed by a man with a knife. He forced her to drive him to ATM’s all around Boston to withdraw all her savings. At one point, he waits in the car and she walks into a bank to withdraw money from the ATM. She can easily escape at this point. The car is parked on a one-way busy street. He’s still inside the car with his back to the bank. There are people out and about. She’s in the clear now. If she takes off running in the opposite direction, there’s no way he’s going to catch her. Instead, she gets the money and goes back in the car with him. And when he’s done with her, he stabs her to death.

Many, MANY people have agonized and pulled their hair out over why she didn’t try to escape when she had the chance. And clinical psychologists have said trauma can affect you to the point where your fear overrides all logic and you convince yourself that simply following instructions is your only way to survival.

That's what I mean by 'reading' the people. You're picking up on.. Things. They may be clues, they may not. But, what you're observing influences what you do. If you're picking up that they just want the money and will leave. You're going to follow directions.

If they came in and fired off a couple of rounds, shot someone there and are telling you to go into the freezer.. I'd.. Lay some good odds that you're going to either attack or attempt escape.

Problem is.. You're not always going to read the clues right and they often won't be as obvious as above. So.. You might run and get shot. Though.. The odds are lower on that, because if they didn't come in with the intention of killing someone.. Lower odds of it happening.

Take it from someone who has been through a robbery.. Things slow down. Either that or your brain goes into hyperdrive. The guys who robbed us (I worked at a Domino's in college).. They were just there for the money. But I didn't let them out of my sight. They told us not to look at them.. I had them in the corner of my eye the whole time. Those arms came up with the guns.. I might have moved fast enough, I might not have.. But they weren't shooting me in the back!

Gretchen Burford - This case has caused me PTSD and made me obsessive compulsive about always checking my backseat before entering my car. Mind you, I always lock my car doors. It became a reflex to do that long ago. But I still have the need to make sure there is nobody hiding in the backseat with a knife.

This is also a well known urban legend. Not a coincidence that it was one of the stories talked about in the movie "Urban Legends" (1998). But no doubt it happened a time or two in history, including a UM segment. Urban legends are derived from some truth.

A frustrating factor is sometimes even when you follow all directions from an assailant, it can end horribly. The show, ‘See No Evil,’ did an episode on Amy Lord a couple years ago. She woke up early to go jogging and as soon as she opened her front door, was immediately grabbed by a man with a knife. He forced her to drive him to ATM’s all around Boston to withdraw all her savings. At one point, he waits in the car and she walks into a bank to withdraw money from the ATM. She can easily escape at this point. The car is parked on a one-way busy street. He’s still inside the car with his back to the bank. There are people out and about. She’s in the clear now. If she takes off running in the opposite direction, there’s no way he’s going to catch her. Instead, she gets the money and goes back in the car with him. And when he’s done with her, he stabs her to death.

Many, MANY people have agonized and pulled their hair out over why she didn’t try to escape when she had the chance. And clinical psychologists have said trauma can affect you to the point where your fear overrides all logic and you convince yourself that simply following instructions is your only way to survival.

Now it makes me want to look into that case more. It was never a UM segment from what I know. But yeah, that's just crazy. There is always that movie character in a thriller that can end the whole thing by tipping someone off about what is happening. Or having the chance to tell a cop.

Not so much that I do anything different, but I have a lot better understanding when women say they don't feel safe at night, out alone, etc. It's a very unsafe world for women.

After what happened to Charles Morgan and Doug Johnston and Angelo Desideri and Jeanne Tovrea, I'm definitely thinking twice about relocating to AZ in my declining years.