S2E2: The Playbook | Part II: The Anchor

Before a killer drove across state lines, a mother was just trying to survive the ashes of her old life. In Part II of "The Playbook," Real Crime Stories steps away from the investigative timeline to look at the passenger seat. Nichole Florentine wasn't a case file statistic—she was a mother of four, a sister, a daughter, and a granddaughter. In an increasingly hostile environment, her family was her anchor. We explore the psychological trap of control, the devastation of losing her home to intimate partner arson, and the painful moments right before the signal went completely silent on a highway heading north.⚠️ If you or someone you know is navigating the terrifying escalation of domestic abuse, please do not wait. Reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or texting "START" to 88788. Free, confidential, and available 24/7.