The Dark Side of Shared Living: "Worst Roommate Ever" Reveals Horrific Crimes

Join journalist Ashley Dvorkin as she delves into the second season of "Worst Roommate Ever," a chilling docuseries that uncovers the true stories of disastrous roommates who descended into violence and murder.

In the annals of true crime, shared living arrangements have become a breeding ground for unimaginable horrors, as evidenced by the second season of Netflix's "Worst Roommate Ever." Hosted by Michelle Trachtenberg, this gripping docuseries delves into four chilling cases that expose the sinister depths of human depravity.

The season premiere centers around Janie Ridd, a woman whose 25-year friendship with Rachel, a Salt Lake City single mother, turned into a nightmare. Moved by Rachel's kindness, Ridd agreed to become the beneficiary of her $500,000 life insurance policy and guardian of her son, Ryder. However, Rachel's inexplicable illnesses and subsequent hospitalization raised alarm bells.

The Dark Side of Shared Living: "Worst Roommate Ever" Reveals Horrific Crimes

Investigators discovered that Ridd had contacted a vendor selling Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA), a deadly bacteria. Used insulin needles with Rachel's DNA proved that Ridd had tampered with her life-saving medication, leading to her repeated hospitalizations.

Despite the overwhelming evidence, Ridd was convicted of attempted murder and possession of a weapon of mass destruction but served only 25 months before being released in 2022.

The Dark Side of Shared Living: "Worst Roommate Ever" Reveals Horrific Crimes

Another chilling case unfolds in Cathedral City, California, where Scott Pettigrew, a seemingly charming ex-roommate, became a brutal killer. After gaining the trust of his elderly roommate, 65-year-old Mimie Anita Cowen, Pettigrew stole her belongings, manipulated her into removing previous roommates, and finally murdered her in cold blood.

Cowen, fearful of Pettigrew, had obtained a restraining order against him but was unable to escape his clutches. On June 14, 2019, her lifeless body was found in her pool, with blunt force trauma and broken ribs.

The Dark Side of Shared Living: "Worst Roommate Ever" Reveals Horrific Crimes

Pettigrew's defense of blaming the murder on another roommate was shattered by a hidden recording device in Cowen's home. He was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.

In Fort Carson, Colorado, Tammy Fritz's grief over the loss of her husband turned into a sinister plot. She invited his best friend, James "Bo" Bowden, into her home, where he became a father figure to her son, Christian. Unknown to Bowden, Fritz had taken out a life insurance policy on him.

The Dark Side of Shared Living: "Worst Roommate Ever" Reveals Horrific Crimes

Bowden's inexplicable illnesses and a suspicious fire raised suspicions. Fritz confessed to spiking his drink and attempting to burn him alive. When Bowden decided to leave the household, Fritz and her accomplices lured him out for a night of drinking and left him for dead.

Fritz was convicted of attempted murder and conspiracy and sentenced to 48 years in prison.

The Dark Side of Shared Living: "Worst Roommate Ever" Reveals Horrific Crimes

In Burien, Washington, Michael Dudley, a paranoid drug addict, committed the ultimate act of horror. He shot and killed his tenants, Austin Wenner and Jessica Lewis, then dismembered their bodies and stuffed them into suitcases.

Neighbors reported hearing gunshots and screaming, but police didn't investigate until a witness living in Dudley's home encountered the gruesome scene. Dudley's phone records revealed his involvement, and he was sentenced to 46 years in prison.

The Dark Side of Shared Living: "Worst Roommate Ever" Reveals Horrific Crimes

"Worst Roommate Ever" serves as a chilling reminder that even in the most mundane of settings, danger can lurk beneath the surface. These horrific tales expose the darkness that can consume the human soul when greed, violence, and malice take hold. As Trachtenberg aptly concludes, "There are no second chances when you're dealing with a roommate like that."