The Case Study of a Murderer

Originally Aired: October 1, 1951 Suspense #441, "The Case Study of a Murderer," Beth Lathrop reflects on her marriage to Hank, a man she thought she knew until troubling changes emerge. When a series of brutal murders near Lincoln Park dominates the news, Hank becomes obsessed with following every detail in the papers. His fixation intensifies after he loses his job, and Beth watches helplessly as her sweet, wonderful husband transforms into someone she barely recognizes. He grows paranoid, argumentative, and increasingly erratic, making strange accusations and contradicting himself about simple things like whether windows should be open or closed. As the summer heat bears down and the killer remains at large, Hank's behavior becomes more disturbing. Beth begins to sense that her husband is harboring dark secrets, even from himself. She describes him as two different men, one she loved and another she's only now discovering. Speaking from an uncertain present, Beth reveals she's expecting a baby and has been assured by doctors that whatever mental sickness afflicted Hank cannot be inherited. Her haunting narration suggests that Hank tried to ask for help the only way he could, but his plea came too late.