The Sunday Morning Slasher | The Evidence Room, Episode 17

Carl “Coral” Eugene Watts was one of the most prolific serial killers in U.S. history, murdering dozens of women over an eight-year period that finally ended in 1982. See how he nearly became the first serial killer to be released from prison in Episode 17 of the true crime docuseries The Evidence Room.

00:00 The Evidence Room Open
01:08 Revolving door of justice
02:40 Elena Semander: 5th victim of serial killer Carl Watts
03:40 How Elena's family remembers her
05:13 How Carl Watts killed his victims
06:09 Convincing Carl Watts to talk
06:29 40+ victims from Texas to Michigan
07:06 How police finally caught the serial killer
08:08 Victim escapes by jumping from balcony
09:36 The Sunday Morning Slasher: How Carl Watts earned his nickname
10:07 Houston: Murder capital of the country in 1981
11:22 HPD knew Carl Watts was dangerous
11:57 Elena Semander's mother investigated murders
13:30 "She just knew something was not right
14:45 List of confirmed cases by Carl "Coral" Eugene Watts
15:49 Six years for family to get Watts' confession
16:04 No one knew there was a serial killer in Houston
16:52 Carl Watts' plea deal: total immunity on Harris Co. cases
18:18 Carl Watts willing to confess to murders in Michigan
19:40 Serial Killer became jailhouse lawyer
20:03 Carl Watts became eligible for parole as non-violent offender
20:19 "He is the deadly weapon"
21:11 Watts could have been first known serial killer legally released from prison
23:01 Family advocated to keep Watts in prison
25:20 Michigan officials form cold case task force
26:20 "He knew he was getting out"
27:58 How Michigan officials caught Carl Watts
29:01 Michigan eyewitness called police
30:39 "If they ever release me, I'm going to kill again."
31:46 Mask for evil
33:48 Carl Watts dies in prison
35:08 Watts died shortly after Michigan conviction
36:50 The Empty Chair