Ep. 1: Robert Lee Yates Jr. Aka the Grocery bag killer

Welcome to the first episode of Northwest Night Shift! In the shadows of the Pacific Northwest, a quiet family man lived a double life. By day, Robert Lee Yates Jr. was a decorated Army veteran, husband, and father. But beneath the surface lurked one of the most chilling serial predators in Washington state history.In this episode, we discuss the terrifying crimes of the Spokane serial killer — tracing the disappearances of vulnerable women throughout the 1970s and 1990s, the investigation that baffled authorities for years, the forensic breakthrough that finally exposed the truth, and examine how Yates evaded suspicion for decades. Through court records, investigative timelines, and survivor accounts, this episode explores the dark intersection of violence, secrecy, and systemic failure in one of America’s lesser-known serial murder cases.Listener discretion is strongly advised. This episode contains discussions of violence, murder, and crimes against women. Grab your caffeine, clock in and join the shift.