S26E1: The Truck Stop Killer

In Episode 1 we delve into the grim story of Robert Ben Rhoades, whose reign of terror along the American highways during the late '70s and '80s culminated in the nightmarish transformation of his 18-wheeler into a chamber of horrors. This episode recounts the harrowing escape of his would-be victim, Shana Holts, and the subsequent complacency of law enforcement that allowed Rhoades to continue his murderous spree.

Listeners will be taken through a chilling narrative that includes Rhoades's beginnings, from his unsettled childhood marked by his father's suicide to his drift into the world of long-haul trucking, where he found an outlet for his sadistic impulses. The episode paints a sinister portrait of Rhoades's life, revealing the disturbing duality of his existence and his ventures into the underground scenes that possibly fed his cruel fantasies.

As the episode unfolds, we learn of the tragic fate of Regina Kay Walters, the young girl whose brutal end was discovered in a secluded barn, and the close call that led to the capture of Rhoades, as recounted by an Arizona Highway Patrol Trooper. The description leads up to the anticipation of further investigation into the depth of Rhoades's crimes in the following episode, promising more insights into the exhaustive efforts to bring him to justice. This account serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of those who cross paths with such hidden predators.