Swarm (2023) s01e06 Episode Script
Fallin' Through the Cracks
[woman] Is there any musical
artist that I would kill for?
[newsman] One fan has been
so abusive to this reporter
that she's obtained
a court restraining order,
keeping him away from her.
[clamoring]
[Loretta] But a suicide
and then a murder?
♪
My name's Major Loretta Greene,
and I'm a detective with
the Memphis Police Department.
[birds chirping]
♪
Detective work isn't just a job,
it's a calling.
If it ain't in you,
you'll end up burning out.
So you have to really want
something out of it.
[sizzling]
It's like motherhood.
[laughs]
It's not always fun.
- It's a calling.
- Uh-uh. Uh-uh.
But you got to pay attention.
The world doesn't want
these kids to thrive,
so I have to make sure they do.
I nurture them
like I nurture my cases.
I don't miss anything.
Even before my husband passed,
I tried to be around
as much as possible,
cooked dinner, homework.
Working and being their mama
full-time is hard,
but it's worth it.
Police work is my calling,
but family is everything.
Can you tell us how you started
to piece these cases together?
[Loretta] I got a call
on a cold case
involving blunt force trauma
in Nashville.
Tiffany Long.
I went to check it out.
When did her sister say
she found her, again?
[investigator] Around 7:00
that morning.
Sister was gone
most of the weekend,
but found her when she got back.
[Loretta] Did you check her out,
the sister?
She's accounted for.
Was on a date.
You got any witnesses?
A receipt?
You know that Whitney song?
"If six of y'all went out"?
Lighten up. I'm just asking.
You can't be too careful.
[indistinct chatter
over police radio]
[Loretta] Murder's not always
as complicated as people think.
It's got some rules to it.
Most of 'em aren't random.
That's why we check the husband,
the boyfriend,
the last person they saw.
It's usually an acquaintance
or someone's first stop
before a bigger crime.
A robbery or deal gone wrong,
even with a serial killer.
But yeah,
those are rare.
So
We're thinking our killer
comes up from behind, right?
Bang.
Tiffany falls into the wall.
Maybe she tries
to get to her phone.
Anyway, she goes down.
Then he stands over her,
straddles her.
Bam, bam, bam.
Blood on the floor.
He drops the hammer.
Tiffany bleeds out or what?
(indiscernible)
Can I see the pictures?
Damn.
Did the sister give you
her social media accounts?
- [investigator] Yeah.
- Text me those, please.
[indistinct chatter
over police radio]
[car door closes]
[busy chatter]
- Hey, now.
- Hi. How are you doing?
I'm too old to be making
these out-of-town trips,
and I'm only 25 years old.
[chuckles]
Social media is such a great
resource for us nowadays.
[scoffs]
I can't tell you
how many cases I've solved
thanks to Facebook, Instagram.
I had a murder case,
two guys rob and kill a man.
A few hours later,
one of them posts pictures
of the stuff they stole
from inside the man's car.
[laughs]
Just telling on theyselves.
It's crazy.
People think,
just because you're
behind a handle
and some filters,
the truth won't still come out.
[scoffs]
I know it's not the most
technical process.
But if you know
what you're looking for
♪
I knew it.
[siren wails]
It all started with junk food,
believe it or not.
About a year ago,
we were assisting
with a case in Arkansas.
There was a woman murdered
in her home.
Dorothy Daye.
At first, they thought
all the usual things.
We interviewed the husband.
Alibi was tight.
So I went back to the evidence.
There had to have been
something we missed.
I'm looking at this evidence,
and it's striking to me.
All that stuff is regular
in my house,
but Ms. Daye was white.
I've never met an old white
woman that ate Hot Cheetos.
Definitely never seen
a white woman in a bonnet.
[laughs]
So at first, I'm thinking,
"Well, okay. Ms. Dorothy's
got soul, I guess."
Whoever this murderer was
stayed awhile.
Ate.
That's what seemed odd to me.
They even tried
to clean up a little.
Just an odd scene.
Eventually, it hit me.
I said, "Hey,
I think we dealing
with a sister here.
The killer sounds like
a Black woman to me."
What did the other
officers think?
They didn't want to hear
that shit.
Said it was all circumstantial.
Apparently they caught
a homeless man a few days later
and arrested him.
He ended up getting convicted
on something else.
I figured
it was over and done with,
but I kept my eyes and ears open
- because I had a feeling.
- [siren wailing in distance]
About five months later,
I stumbled on a case out
of Fayetteville.
It seemed
pretty straightforward.
Four women, all strippers
working at the same club,
killed and robbed a man
in his home.
They had car trouble.
A man stops them
on the side of the road
and offers to help them.
They all go
to the man's house,
where he's got a workshop.
Later, witnesses say
they heard a commotion
and cars fleeing the scene.
After a brief manhunt,
we caught up to the four women.
Three wouldn't talk.
That fourth one, though
[scoffs]
She was mad.
Eventually, she told me
there was another girl there
who hung the rest of 'em
out to dry.
When we found the car,
we took photos.
It was stolen
from out of state.
Apparently the whole robbery
and murder
was this girl Carmen's fault.
She was a dancer from Texas,
new girl,
and she would only dance
to [bleep] songs.
[laughs]
Exclusively.
Carmen was a big fan
and was obsessed with her.
She wasn't even supposed to be
their driver.
Another girl was
supposed to go with them,
but she didn't show up to work.
No one's seen her
or her boyfriend since.
And how is this related to
the Dorothy Daye case?
[exhales]
For some detectives,
an answer is good enough.
They're not trying to dig
if they don't have to.
But
there's similarities
in all these cases.
Serial killers are rare.
Cases like that
can make a career.
And I get it [laughs]
it seems like wishful thinking.
A Black female detective
stumbles onto
a Black female serial killer.
But the truth is,
a killer like Carmen
just isn't on their radar.
But I've seen this before.
Seen what before?
Black women falling
through the cracks.
[Loretta] So I was
following up on it.
The man murdered
in this stripper case,
he was supposedly a nice guy.
But if you check his Twitter,
he seems like a jokester
or a provocateur.
There's a number of tweets
disparaging women, celebrities.
It's mostly shit-talking,
I guess,
but it's still rude.
He definitely had some words
for [bleep],
mocking her, which seems
like nothing at first.
This guy knew what he was doing,
going after [bleep].
Her fans are serious.
They call themselves the Hive
because she's the Queen Bee,
and they are quick to sting
if they need to.
They are merciless online.
You don't talk bad
about the queen.
[chuckles] They don't play.
But Ralph
loved riling them up.
The woman in Arkansas,
Ms. Daye, also, not a big fan.
I had a hunch
the method,
bludgeoned to death
in her home
I'm on the brink
of something big.
And you saw
Dorothy's social media.
Now this only seems unimportant
if you don't know
about the Hive.
If Carmen was
as big a fan as they say,
she was definitely in the Hive.
I just couldn't be sure
if Ralph was her first victim.
I had to find out who else
this bee had stung.
[laughs] That was good, right?
Make sure you keep that
in there. [chuckles]
Hey. I'm Darryl Robinson,
and I've been a [bleep] stan
since the beginning.
This queen thing is
a cute nickname for some people,
but for me that's facts.
Like, she is the Queen Bee,
and we are her Hive
of dedicated devotees.
Like, we sometimes get
a bad rap, but
we're family.
We take care of each other.
Like, we save seats
when waiting for the drops.
We share pics
and exclusive info when we can.
And we come for bitches
that try to step for her.
Period. Just normal stuff.
Look, I heard about the murders.
And, uh, some detective thinks
that someone from the Hive is
trying to kill people,
but the Hive doesn't
kill people.
Like, we correct bitches
who need to be corrected, but,
like, whoever is doing this
is not one of us.
They do not represent us,
our community,
our family.
Like, we're not bad people.
♪
We just love this woman,
and would do absolutely
anything for her.
Like, I know I would.
But
not, like, murder. [chuckles]
No, I wouldn't.
Yeah. Not, like
not, like, murder.
That's too far.
Yeah.
♪
[birds chirping]
[Loretta] When you start
to run out of leads,
you got to make your own.
Uh, not make it up, but
I decided to look at
unsolved murders
with the same M.O. in Texas.
I looked for victims
with blunt force trauma.
[scoffs]
And wouldn't you know it,
I found one.
In Houston.
Khalid Woods was killed
right in [bleep]'s hometown.
So I got my sister
to watch the kids,
and I'm here to ask
some questions.
- [door opens]
- Hello, sir.
My name is Detective
Loretta Greene
with Memphis PD.
I was hoping to talk to
Khalid Woods' family.
What about?
Are you a relative?
Yeah, he's-he's my brother.
Okay.
I am so sorry for your loss,
really, I am.
I just have a few
follow-up questions.
- Was he a [bleep] fan?
- Huh?
Was he into [bleep]?
Did he love her or hate her?
Uh
No, um No, I don't think so.
Wh-Why would he?
Just trying to clear
a few things up.
I was looking at the photos,
and I noticed that
he had two teacups set up,
like he had company.
- Were you home?
- Uh, no.
No, I wasn't, uh
I was in Dallas at the time.
[Loretta] Okay.
There was no forced entry?
Usually in a case like this,
crime of passion,
it is a loved one.
Did he have a girlfriend
or an ex-girlfriend?
Yeah, a girlfriend,
but she's dead.
- Really?
- Yeah.
- What happened?
- [bird squawks in distance]
She killed herself
maybe a week before Khalid died.
- Damn.
- Yeah.
What was her name?
Marissa.
Marissa Jackson.
Thank you, Talib.
♪
I found Marissa online.
I knew I'd heard that name
before.
I'd seen it in Ralph's tweets,
the guy from
the stripper murder.
Things are starting
to come together.
When a young woman
takes her own life,
and then her boyfriend is killed
not too long after,
a good detective will find
a connection between the two.
Murder-suies are always
about love.
Fucked-up love,
but love all the same.
But a suicide and then a murder?
[scoffs]
That's motive.
Now, that's worth
following up on.
But the question becomes:
who would think
the loss of Marissa
necessitated the death
of Mr. Woods?
Dre. Looks like her friend.
I wonder where she is.
We should talk to her.
♪
And guess what.
The owner of that strip club
says he lost
the start paperwork for Carmen.
I bet that place has a list of
violations as long as my arm.
But he did give a description.
[typing]
[scoffs]
Good for nothing.
[laughs]
We need to meet the Jacksons.
♪
[birds chirping]
Hello, Mrs. Jackson.
My name's
Detective Loretta Greene.
- We spoke on the phone earlier.
- Yes.
Come on in.
[Loretta] You have
a lovely home.
[Patricia] It's definitely
a lot of house just for me.
And here we are.
[laughs] That is so beautiful.
[chuckles] We left it
the way it was.
[Loretta] Did you know
her boyfriend, Khalid?
[Patricia] Not really.
I ran into her
one Saturday afternoon
at the mall,
and she was with him.
She seemed happy.
And later that week, she came by
and asked me for
some rent money. [chuckles]
I really believe it was for her
and her
roommate.
Uh, but I gave it to her
anyways.
Would you like some lemonade?
[Loretta] Sure.
Was Marissa having any problems?
I mean, with Khalid or
I don't think so.
Who really knows?
- This is a handsome man.
- [Patricia chuckles]
Is this Mr. Jackson?
[Patricia] Harris. Yeah.
My husband was very handsome.
He passed in May.
Prostate cancer.
I am so sorry.
You must be going through a lot
right now.
[sighs]
♪
[Loretta] Is this
her friend Dre?
I saw her in some photos
with Marissa.
I was hoping
I could talk to her.
Were they close?
Andrea was the foster child that
Harris and I took in,
but things didn't work out.
I-I knew that Andrea wasn't
your typical child,
but I wanted
so badly to help her.
It was a lot to deal with.
And we, and we took her
to a child psychologist,
and the state paid for it.
But Harris, he-he thought
she was a lost cause.
And what made him think that?
Anything specific.
Well, it was a sleepover.
Um, it happened about a few
weeks after the talent show.
- Charlie Daniels song
- [kids laughing]
[Gretchen Wilson:
"Redneck Woman"]
Keeping it country ♪
Let me get a big "hell yeah" ♪
From the redneck girls
like me ♪
Hell yeah! ♪
[indistinct chatter, laughter]
- [boy] Stop.
- [girl] Boo, get off stage.
- Stop.
- [Patricia] We did our best,
but Andrea had
such a hard time at school.
Those-those kids were
awful to her.
- [laughs] What?
- [Dre singing on video]
I totally forgot about this.
Good grief. [groans]
Thank you.
I cannot believe
she would do that to herself.
Wild.
I loved Marissa.
We were really good friends.
She was super funny
and super sweet.
We roomed together
at cheer camp,
it was so much fun.
Andrea, she was
the Jacksons' foster child.
And she showed up in,
like, fifth grade,
and she was super weird
and super quiet.
You know how
there's always that one kid
that has a wheelie backpack
for just, like, way too long?
Yeah, that was Andrea.
Just off.
[Patricia] She was sensitive.
So was Marissa.
I think that's why
they stayed so close.
Uh, Harris, he-he didn't get it.
I think men, in general,
don't get it.
There's a closeness with girls
that doesn't always have to mean
that they're
Well, you know, "funny."
And even if she was,
they loved each other.
They needed each other.
But Harris,
he-he didn't get that.
♪
[Meghan] Marissa, yeah,
she was a great friend, sister.
She was popular.
She always defended Andrea
when people made fun of her.
Stood up for her in class.
I think Marissa was just happy
to have a sister.
Andrea definitely was, too.
And they were inseparable.
They made a good team.
Was Andrea into when she
was younger?
[laughs] Wow.
Yes. She really was.
She was obsessed.
She and Marissa.
They went to all the shows,
and they sang all the songs.
I-I think that's why Andrea did
the talent show,
so that she could be discovered
like [bleep].
She was the biggest [bleep] fan.
Like, above all fans ever.
It was crazy, you know,
but all the girls were.
You know, even Marissa.
We went to the concerts
and stuff.
Well, I didn't.
Marissa,
she invited me one time,
but, you know,
after the whole sleepover thing,
I didn't want to be around her.
Andrea.
You mentioned a sleepover?
Yes. For Marissa's birthday.
I knew that the girls didn't
like Andrea,
but they were Marissa's friends,
and I just thought that
this could help them all bond.
That bitch tried to kill me.
[scoffs]
At a sleepover.
It was fucking insane.
She wasn't even
supposed to be there.
It was some real
Flowers in the Attic type shit.
I mean, not with, like,
the incest or whatever,
but yeah, Marissa's parents made
Andrea stay in the attic.
Harris, h-he didn't want
Andrea getting in the way
of Marissa's childhood.
We all used to do this thing
where whoever fell asleep first
got slumbered.
And so, I got all the girls to
jump on top of Riss,
and
But it was fun, you know?
And next thing you know, I'm
being yanked back by my ponytail
and slammed to the ground hard,
and Andrea is just on top of me,
choking me.
And they're yelling,
"Andrea, stop. Andrea, stop!
Please stop," and Riss is trying
to pull her off of me.
[sighs] I will never forget
the look on her face.
[Patricia] It was horrible.
The girls were screaming.
Her eyes were just
all bugged out.
Harris rushed in there
and he broke it up,
but the damage was done.
And Andrea, she just said she
was sorry she spilled the milk.
I didn't know what that meant.
I didn't even realize
I got stabbed
until they got her off of me.
I had to go to the hospital.
I had to wear a neck brace
for the rest of the school year.
Obviously couldn't cheer.
My mom was pissed.
[Patricia] We paid
for the girl's medical bills.
Thank God the parents,
they-they didn't press charges.
[Gwen] The Jacksons got rid of
Andrea shortly after that.
It was quick,
and I don't know,
but I got back to eighth grade
and I never saw her again.
You know, it is just crazy
how you can say deuces
to your foster child like that.
I think she
I don't know.
That girl was
messed-up.
Do you think Andrea
is dangerous?
[clock ticking softly]
Can I hold on to this?
[clock chiming]
[Patricia crying]
I did everything that I could
for that child.
I did, I did
everything I could [crying]
We can only do so much,
us mothers.
I should've never left her.
I should've never let her leave.
- [sobbing]
- Oh, honey. [shushes]
[muffled whispering]
You did your very best,
sweetheart, you did.
- [crying] I'm ashamed.
- You did your best.
- I'm ashamed. I'm so ashamed.
- Oh.
♪
[sighs softly]
Did you show her the photo?
Yeah.
Perfect. Thanks.
It's Carmen.
Our stripper confirmed it.
[chuckles]
Wow.
- [horn honks in distance]
- [railroad bell ringing]
This is sensitive info,
so better let me do the talking.
Good cop, quiet cop.
[chuckles]
You're not a cop,
but maybe I can deputize you.
So, like I said on the phone,
I just had some questions about
a former foster child.
You were her case worker.
Andrea, yes, I remember her.
I can't give too many details,
that wouldn't be right.
I just had a few questions.
Now, she was taken in
by the Jackson family, correct?
Yes, uh, they had come
looking for a daughter
the same age as their own.
And they were a good fit?
Well, yes,
they were a nice family,
well employed,
and they already had a child,
and we wouldn't place a child
with a family
if they weren't suited for it.
They ended up sending her
back to you.
Why do you think that is?
Usually when something
like that happens,
it's because
the family feels overwhelmed.
Overwhelmed?
Most families don't realize,
but a lot of the children
that we serve here
have special needs
and requirements.
Some parents get overwhelmed
by that.
These kids have been
through a lot.
They've all dealt
with abandonment,
so our ultimate goal is just
to find them some stability.
And adoption reversal is
definitely a last resort.
Andrea had hurt someone,
so I assume that violence is
pretty good grounds
for a reversal.
I don't like the idea of
labeling a child as violent.
There are usually some factors
that contribute
to a child lashing out.
And what would those factors be
in Andrea's case?
You want me to gossip
about a child
- It's not
- that was under the care of the state?
It's not gossip,
just a little information.
I've already given you
the information that I have,
Ms. Greene.
I'm not sure
what else I could tell you
that you need to know
at this time.
I would just love
if you can unpack it
a little bit more for me.
Oh, honey.
I have been doing this
for over 30 years, okay?
I love all my babies the same.
I would never do that
to any of these children.
Ms. Greene, I don't have
any more information
Ms. Kirby,
all I'm saying is that
you're acting like
you're not a mandated reporter.
- [overlapping chatter]
- Why aren't you trying to give us more information?
What are you hiding?
[Roberta] Oh.
[scoffs] I see.
You want me to tell you
her sob story?
That she was touched
or something?
That she saw her mother
murdered, and from then on
a screw was loose?
We just want you to be honest.
Let me say this.
If you want to help,
you should foster some children.
See for yourself what these
children's worlds are like.
And I don't appreciate
you portraying them as monsters.
You are doing a disservice to
all the children in foster care
with these implications.
- [Loretta] No, Ms. Kirby
- The only reason
why you want Andrea's sob story
is so you can
absolve yourselves.
Mm-hmm. You need there
to be a reason
she was so messed-up,
so you don't have to sweep
your own front door
and realize that you are just
as flawed.
That girl was lonely,
and she was
looking for acceptance.
And I don't know
what has happened to her since,
or why y'all are here, but
I'm not gonna help you judge her
for something that you couldn't
begin to understand.
- [Loretta] Ms. Kirby, please
- I'm sorry.
I got to go.
[busy chatter nearby]
I thought I told you
to be quiet.
♪
So it's been a couple of weeks
now that we've been
following this thread.
What happened when you brought
this up to your superiors?
[scoffs]
Of course no one cared.
I got them to put out an APB
for Andrea Greene,
but it doesn't seem
to be a priority.
Can you believe we have
the same last name?
What if we're kin?
I keep asking myself
why I'm so drawn to this case,
why I'm so drawn to her.
I look at Andrea's face,
sometimes I see nothing,
and sometimes I see myself.
Now, why is that?
I wonder how different life
could've been for her
if say, I had taken her in
or my parents.
But anyways,
we'll see if she pops up.
They were already looking for
her on the break-in supposedly,
but [scoffs]
I found a couple of other
murders that fit the profile,
but
I need some more evidence.
I just wish I could talk to her.
[laughs]
Maybe at a [bleep] concert.
I could run into Andrea there.
I better start saving up.
Those tickets are not cheap.
♪
[laughs] Really?
We found her.
They found her.
Is this her brother?
No, that's her.
That's got to be.
You don't think
it looks like her.
She's going by Tony now.
I knew we'd catch a break.
Everybody here thinks
I'm looking at it wrong, but
I've combed her socials.
I know it's her,
but no one believes me.
[laughs]
I'm gonna go down to Atlanta.
See if I can talk to her.
Try and fill in the gaps.
I told them to hold her.
Hopefully she doesn't make bail
before I get there.
Do you think there are more
murders out there?
[scoffs]
I guarantee it.
I guarantee it.
♪
[engine starts]
♪
♪
What you directing?
I'm directing this show
that I'm working on right now
with, like, uh, Chloe
and Damson and Dom Fishback.
It's in the works.
It's going well.
♪
Been a Barbie doll type ♪
[Gretchen Wilson:
"Redneck Woman"]
No, I can't swig
that sweet champagne ♪
I'd rather drink beer
all night ♪
In a tavern
or in a honky-tonk ♪
Or on a four-wheel drive
tailgate ♪
I've got posters on my wall
of Skynyrd, Kid and Strait ♪
Some people look down on me ♪
But I don't give a rip ♪
I stand barefooted
in my own front yard ♪
With a baby on my hip ♪
'Cause I'm a redneck woman ♪
And I ain't
no high-class broad ♪
I'm just a product
of my raising ♪
I say, "Hey, y'all"
and "Yee-haw" ♪
And I keep my Christmas
lights on ♪
On my front porch
all year long ♪
And I know all the words ♪
To every
Charlie Daniels song ♪
So here's to all my sisters ♪
Out there keeping it country ♪
Let me get a big "Hell yeah" ♪
From the redneck girls
like me ♪
Hell yeah! ♪♪
artist that I would kill for?
[newsman] One fan has been
so abusive to this reporter
that she's obtained
a court restraining order,
keeping him away from her.
[clamoring]
[Loretta] But a suicide
and then a murder?
♪
My name's Major Loretta Greene,
and I'm a detective with
the Memphis Police Department.
[birds chirping]
♪
Detective work isn't just a job,
it's a calling.
If it ain't in you,
you'll end up burning out.
So you have to really want
something out of it.
[sizzling]
It's like motherhood.
[laughs]
It's not always fun.
- It's a calling.
- Uh-uh. Uh-uh.
But you got to pay attention.
The world doesn't want
these kids to thrive,
so I have to make sure they do.
I nurture them
like I nurture my cases.
I don't miss anything.
Even before my husband passed,
I tried to be around
as much as possible,
cooked dinner, homework.
Working and being their mama
full-time is hard,
but it's worth it.
Police work is my calling,
but family is everything.
Can you tell us how you started
to piece these cases together?
[Loretta] I got a call
on a cold case
involving blunt force trauma
in Nashville.
Tiffany Long.
I went to check it out.
When did her sister say
she found her, again?
[investigator] Around 7:00
that morning.
Sister was gone
most of the weekend,
but found her when she got back.
[Loretta] Did you check her out,
the sister?
She's accounted for.
Was on a date.
You got any witnesses?
A receipt?
You know that Whitney song?
"If six of y'all went out"?
Lighten up. I'm just asking.
You can't be too careful.
[indistinct chatter
over police radio]
[Loretta] Murder's not always
as complicated as people think.
It's got some rules to it.
Most of 'em aren't random.
That's why we check the husband,
the boyfriend,
the last person they saw.
It's usually an acquaintance
or someone's first stop
before a bigger crime.
A robbery or deal gone wrong,
even with a serial killer.
But yeah,
those are rare.
So
We're thinking our killer
comes up from behind, right?
Bang.
Tiffany falls into the wall.
Maybe she tries
to get to her phone.
Anyway, she goes down.
Then he stands over her,
straddles her.
Bam, bam, bam.
Blood on the floor.
He drops the hammer.
Tiffany bleeds out or what?
(indiscernible)
Can I see the pictures?
Damn.
Did the sister give you
her social media accounts?
- [investigator] Yeah.
- Text me those, please.
[indistinct chatter
over police radio]
[car door closes]
[busy chatter]
- Hey, now.
- Hi. How are you doing?
I'm too old to be making
these out-of-town trips,
and I'm only 25 years old.
[chuckles]
Social media is such a great
resource for us nowadays.
[scoffs]
I can't tell you
how many cases I've solved
thanks to Facebook, Instagram.
I had a murder case,
two guys rob and kill a man.
A few hours later,
one of them posts pictures
of the stuff they stole
from inside the man's car.
[laughs]
Just telling on theyselves.
It's crazy.
People think,
just because you're
behind a handle
and some filters,
the truth won't still come out.
[scoffs]
I know it's not the most
technical process.
But if you know
what you're looking for
♪
I knew it.
[siren wails]
It all started with junk food,
believe it or not.
About a year ago,
we were assisting
with a case in Arkansas.
There was a woman murdered
in her home.
Dorothy Daye.
At first, they thought
all the usual things.
We interviewed the husband.
Alibi was tight.
So I went back to the evidence.
There had to have been
something we missed.
I'm looking at this evidence,
and it's striking to me.
All that stuff is regular
in my house,
but Ms. Daye was white.
I've never met an old white
woman that ate Hot Cheetos.
Definitely never seen
a white woman in a bonnet.
[laughs]
So at first, I'm thinking,
"Well, okay. Ms. Dorothy's
got soul, I guess."
Whoever this murderer was
stayed awhile.
Ate.
That's what seemed odd to me.
They even tried
to clean up a little.
Just an odd scene.
Eventually, it hit me.
I said, "Hey,
I think we dealing
with a sister here.
The killer sounds like
a Black woman to me."
What did the other
officers think?
They didn't want to hear
that shit.
Said it was all circumstantial.
Apparently they caught
a homeless man a few days later
and arrested him.
He ended up getting convicted
on something else.
I figured
it was over and done with,
but I kept my eyes and ears open
- because I had a feeling.
- [siren wailing in distance]
About five months later,
I stumbled on a case out
of Fayetteville.
It seemed
pretty straightforward.
Four women, all strippers
working at the same club,
killed and robbed a man
in his home.
They had car trouble.
A man stops them
on the side of the road
and offers to help them.
They all go
to the man's house,
where he's got a workshop.
Later, witnesses say
they heard a commotion
and cars fleeing the scene.
After a brief manhunt,
we caught up to the four women.
Three wouldn't talk.
That fourth one, though
[scoffs]
She was mad.
Eventually, she told me
there was another girl there
who hung the rest of 'em
out to dry.
When we found the car,
we took photos.
It was stolen
from out of state.
Apparently the whole robbery
and murder
was this girl Carmen's fault.
She was a dancer from Texas,
new girl,
and she would only dance
to [bleep] songs.
[laughs]
Exclusively.
Carmen was a big fan
and was obsessed with her.
She wasn't even supposed to be
their driver.
Another girl was
supposed to go with them,
but she didn't show up to work.
No one's seen her
or her boyfriend since.
And how is this related to
the Dorothy Daye case?
[exhales]
For some detectives,
an answer is good enough.
They're not trying to dig
if they don't have to.
But
there's similarities
in all these cases.
Serial killers are rare.
Cases like that
can make a career.
And I get it [laughs]
it seems like wishful thinking.
A Black female detective
stumbles onto
a Black female serial killer.
But the truth is,
a killer like Carmen
just isn't on their radar.
But I've seen this before.
Seen what before?
Black women falling
through the cracks.
[Loretta] So I was
following up on it.
The man murdered
in this stripper case,
he was supposedly a nice guy.
But if you check his Twitter,
he seems like a jokester
or a provocateur.
There's a number of tweets
disparaging women, celebrities.
It's mostly shit-talking,
I guess,
but it's still rude.
He definitely had some words
for [bleep],
mocking her, which seems
like nothing at first.
This guy knew what he was doing,
going after [bleep].
Her fans are serious.
They call themselves the Hive
because she's the Queen Bee,
and they are quick to sting
if they need to.
They are merciless online.
You don't talk bad
about the queen.
[chuckles] They don't play.
But Ralph
loved riling them up.
The woman in Arkansas,
Ms. Daye, also, not a big fan.
I had a hunch
the method,
bludgeoned to death
in her home
I'm on the brink
of something big.
And you saw
Dorothy's social media.
Now this only seems unimportant
if you don't know
about the Hive.
If Carmen was
as big a fan as they say,
she was definitely in the Hive.
I just couldn't be sure
if Ralph was her first victim.
I had to find out who else
this bee had stung.
[laughs] That was good, right?
Make sure you keep that
in there. [chuckles]
Hey. I'm Darryl Robinson,
and I've been a [bleep] stan
since the beginning.
This queen thing is
a cute nickname for some people,
but for me that's facts.
Like, she is the Queen Bee,
and we are her Hive
of dedicated devotees.
Like, we sometimes get
a bad rap, but
we're family.
We take care of each other.
Like, we save seats
when waiting for the drops.
We share pics
and exclusive info when we can.
And we come for bitches
that try to step for her.
Period. Just normal stuff.
Look, I heard about the murders.
And, uh, some detective thinks
that someone from the Hive is
trying to kill people,
but the Hive doesn't
kill people.
Like, we correct bitches
who need to be corrected, but,
like, whoever is doing this
is not one of us.
They do not represent us,
our community,
our family.
Like, we're not bad people.
♪
We just love this woman,
and would do absolutely
anything for her.
Like, I know I would.
But
not, like, murder. [chuckles]
No, I wouldn't.
Yeah. Not, like
not, like, murder.
That's too far.
Yeah.
♪
[birds chirping]
[Loretta] When you start
to run out of leads,
you got to make your own.
Uh, not make it up, but
I decided to look at
unsolved murders
with the same M.O. in Texas.
I looked for victims
with blunt force trauma.
[scoffs]
And wouldn't you know it,
I found one.
In Houston.
Khalid Woods was killed
right in [bleep]'s hometown.
So I got my sister
to watch the kids,
and I'm here to ask
some questions.
- [door opens]
- Hello, sir.
My name is Detective
Loretta Greene
with Memphis PD.
I was hoping to talk to
Khalid Woods' family.
What about?
Are you a relative?
Yeah, he's-he's my brother.
Okay.
I am so sorry for your loss,
really, I am.
I just have a few
follow-up questions.
- Was he a [bleep] fan?
- Huh?
Was he into [bleep]?
Did he love her or hate her?
Uh
No, um No, I don't think so.
Wh-Why would he?
Just trying to clear
a few things up.
I was looking at the photos,
and I noticed that
he had two teacups set up,
like he had company.
- Were you home?
- Uh, no.
No, I wasn't, uh
I was in Dallas at the time.
[Loretta] Okay.
There was no forced entry?
Usually in a case like this,
crime of passion,
it is a loved one.
Did he have a girlfriend
or an ex-girlfriend?
Yeah, a girlfriend,
but she's dead.
- Really?
- Yeah.
- What happened?
- [bird squawks in distance]
She killed herself
maybe a week before Khalid died.
- Damn.
- Yeah.
What was her name?
Marissa.
Marissa Jackson.
Thank you, Talib.
♪
I found Marissa online.
I knew I'd heard that name
before.
I'd seen it in Ralph's tweets,
the guy from
the stripper murder.
Things are starting
to come together.
When a young woman
takes her own life,
and then her boyfriend is killed
not too long after,
a good detective will find
a connection between the two.
Murder-suies are always
about love.
Fucked-up love,
but love all the same.
But a suicide and then a murder?
[scoffs]
That's motive.
Now, that's worth
following up on.
But the question becomes:
who would think
the loss of Marissa
necessitated the death
of Mr. Woods?
Dre. Looks like her friend.
I wonder where she is.
We should talk to her.
♪
And guess what.
The owner of that strip club
says he lost
the start paperwork for Carmen.
I bet that place has a list of
violations as long as my arm.
But he did give a description.
[typing]
[scoffs]
Good for nothing.
[laughs]
We need to meet the Jacksons.
♪
[birds chirping]
Hello, Mrs. Jackson.
My name's
Detective Loretta Greene.
- We spoke on the phone earlier.
- Yes.
Come on in.
[Loretta] You have
a lovely home.
[Patricia] It's definitely
a lot of house just for me.
And here we are.
[laughs] That is so beautiful.
[chuckles] We left it
the way it was.
[Loretta] Did you know
her boyfriend, Khalid?
[Patricia] Not really.
I ran into her
one Saturday afternoon
at the mall,
and she was with him.
She seemed happy.
And later that week, she came by
and asked me for
some rent money. [chuckles]
I really believe it was for her
and her
roommate.
Uh, but I gave it to her
anyways.
Would you like some lemonade?
[Loretta] Sure.
Was Marissa having any problems?
I mean, with Khalid or
I don't think so.
Who really knows?
- This is a handsome man.
- [Patricia chuckles]
Is this Mr. Jackson?
[Patricia] Harris. Yeah.
My husband was very handsome.
He passed in May.
Prostate cancer.
I am so sorry.
You must be going through a lot
right now.
[sighs]
♪
[Loretta] Is this
her friend Dre?
I saw her in some photos
with Marissa.
I was hoping
I could talk to her.
Were they close?
Andrea was the foster child that
Harris and I took in,
but things didn't work out.
I-I knew that Andrea wasn't
your typical child,
but I wanted
so badly to help her.
It was a lot to deal with.
And we, and we took her
to a child psychologist,
and the state paid for it.
But Harris, he-he thought
she was a lost cause.
And what made him think that?
Anything specific.
Well, it was a sleepover.
Um, it happened about a few
weeks after the talent show.
- Charlie Daniels song
- [kids laughing]
[Gretchen Wilson:
"Redneck Woman"]
Keeping it country ♪
Let me get a big "hell yeah" ♪
From the redneck girls
like me ♪
Hell yeah! ♪
[indistinct chatter, laughter]
- [boy] Stop.
- [girl] Boo, get off stage.
- Stop.
- [Patricia] We did our best,
but Andrea had
such a hard time at school.
Those-those kids were
awful to her.
- [laughs] What?
- [Dre singing on video]
I totally forgot about this.
Good grief. [groans]
Thank you.
I cannot believe
she would do that to herself.
Wild.
I loved Marissa.
We were really good friends.
She was super funny
and super sweet.
We roomed together
at cheer camp,
it was so much fun.
Andrea, she was
the Jacksons' foster child.
And she showed up in,
like, fifth grade,
and she was super weird
and super quiet.
You know how
there's always that one kid
that has a wheelie backpack
for just, like, way too long?
Yeah, that was Andrea.
Just off.
[Patricia] She was sensitive.
So was Marissa.
I think that's why
they stayed so close.
Uh, Harris, he-he didn't get it.
I think men, in general,
don't get it.
There's a closeness with girls
that doesn't always have to mean
that they're
Well, you know, "funny."
And even if she was,
they loved each other.
They needed each other.
But Harris,
he-he didn't get that.
♪
[Meghan] Marissa, yeah,
she was a great friend, sister.
She was popular.
She always defended Andrea
when people made fun of her.
Stood up for her in class.
I think Marissa was just happy
to have a sister.
Andrea definitely was, too.
And they were inseparable.
They made a good team.
Was Andrea into when she
was younger?
[laughs] Wow.
Yes. She really was.
She was obsessed.
She and Marissa.
They went to all the shows,
and they sang all the songs.
I-I think that's why Andrea did
the talent show,
so that she could be discovered
like [bleep].
She was the biggest [bleep] fan.
Like, above all fans ever.
It was crazy, you know,
but all the girls were.
You know, even Marissa.
We went to the concerts
and stuff.
Well, I didn't.
Marissa,
she invited me one time,
but, you know,
after the whole sleepover thing,
I didn't want to be around her.
Andrea.
You mentioned a sleepover?
Yes. For Marissa's birthday.
I knew that the girls didn't
like Andrea,
but they were Marissa's friends,
and I just thought that
this could help them all bond.
That bitch tried to kill me.
[scoffs]
At a sleepover.
It was fucking insane.
She wasn't even
supposed to be there.
It was some real
Flowers in the Attic type shit.
I mean, not with, like,
the incest or whatever,
but yeah, Marissa's parents made
Andrea stay in the attic.
Harris, h-he didn't want
Andrea getting in the way
of Marissa's childhood.
We all used to do this thing
where whoever fell asleep first
got slumbered.
And so, I got all the girls to
jump on top of Riss,
and
But it was fun, you know?
And next thing you know, I'm
being yanked back by my ponytail
and slammed to the ground hard,
and Andrea is just on top of me,
choking me.
And they're yelling,
"Andrea, stop. Andrea, stop!
Please stop," and Riss is trying
to pull her off of me.
[sighs] I will never forget
the look on her face.
[Patricia] It was horrible.
The girls were screaming.
Her eyes were just
all bugged out.
Harris rushed in there
and he broke it up,
but the damage was done.
And Andrea, she just said she
was sorry she spilled the milk.
I didn't know what that meant.
I didn't even realize
I got stabbed
until they got her off of me.
I had to go to the hospital.
I had to wear a neck brace
for the rest of the school year.
Obviously couldn't cheer.
My mom was pissed.
[Patricia] We paid
for the girl's medical bills.
Thank God the parents,
they-they didn't press charges.
[Gwen] The Jacksons got rid of
Andrea shortly after that.
It was quick,
and I don't know,
but I got back to eighth grade
and I never saw her again.
You know, it is just crazy
how you can say deuces
to your foster child like that.
I think she
I don't know.
That girl was
messed-up.
Do you think Andrea
is dangerous?
[clock ticking softly]
Can I hold on to this?
[clock chiming]
[Patricia crying]
I did everything that I could
for that child.
I did, I did
everything I could [crying]
We can only do so much,
us mothers.
I should've never left her.
I should've never let her leave.
- [sobbing]
- Oh, honey. [shushes]
[muffled whispering]
You did your very best,
sweetheart, you did.
- [crying] I'm ashamed.
- You did your best.
- I'm ashamed. I'm so ashamed.
- Oh.
♪
[sighs softly]
Did you show her the photo?
Yeah.
Perfect. Thanks.
It's Carmen.
Our stripper confirmed it.
[chuckles]
Wow.
- [horn honks in distance]
- [railroad bell ringing]
This is sensitive info,
so better let me do the talking.
Good cop, quiet cop.
[chuckles]
You're not a cop,
but maybe I can deputize you.
So, like I said on the phone,
I just had some questions about
a former foster child.
You were her case worker.
Andrea, yes, I remember her.
I can't give too many details,
that wouldn't be right.
I just had a few questions.
Now, she was taken in
by the Jackson family, correct?
Yes, uh, they had come
looking for a daughter
the same age as their own.
And they were a good fit?
Well, yes,
they were a nice family,
well employed,
and they already had a child,
and we wouldn't place a child
with a family
if they weren't suited for it.
They ended up sending her
back to you.
Why do you think that is?
Usually when something
like that happens,
it's because
the family feels overwhelmed.
Overwhelmed?
Most families don't realize,
but a lot of the children
that we serve here
have special needs
and requirements.
Some parents get overwhelmed
by that.
These kids have been
through a lot.
They've all dealt
with abandonment,
so our ultimate goal is just
to find them some stability.
And adoption reversal is
definitely a last resort.
Andrea had hurt someone,
so I assume that violence is
pretty good grounds
for a reversal.
I don't like the idea of
labeling a child as violent.
There are usually some factors
that contribute
to a child lashing out.
And what would those factors be
in Andrea's case?
You want me to gossip
about a child
- It's not
- that was under the care of the state?
It's not gossip,
just a little information.
I've already given you
the information that I have,
Ms. Greene.
I'm not sure
what else I could tell you
that you need to know
at this time.
I would just love
if you can unpack it
a little bit more for me.
Oh, honey.
I have been doing this
for over 30 years, okay?
I love all my babies the same.
I would never do that
to any of these children.
Ms. Greene, I don't have
any more information
Ms. Kirby,
all I'm saying is that
you're acting like
you're not a mandated reporter.
- [overlapping chatter]
- Why aren't you trying to give us more information?
What are you hiding?
[Roberta] Oh.
[scoffs] I see.
You want me to tell you
her sob story?
That she was touched
or something?
That she saw her mother
murdered, and from then on
a screw was loose?
We just want you to be honest.
Let me say this.
If you want to help,
you should foster some children.
See for yourself what these
children's worlds are like.
And I don't appreciate
you portraying them as monsters.
You are doing a disservice to
all the children in foster care
with these implications.
- [Loretta] No, Ms. Kirby
- The only reason
why you want Andrea's sob story
is so you can
absolve yourselves.
Mm-hmm. You need there
to be a reason
she was so messed-up,
so you don't have to sweep
your own front door
and realize that you are just
as flawed.
That girl was lonely,
and she was
looking for acceptance.
And I don't know
what has happened to her since,
or why y'all are here, but
I'm not gonna help you judge her
for something that you couldn't
begin to understand.
- [Loretta] Ms. Kirby, please
- I'm sorry.
I got to go.
[busy chatter nearby]
I thought I told you
to be quiet.
♪
So it's been a couple of weeks
now that we've been
following this thread.
What happened when you brought
this up to your superiors?
[scoffs]
Of course no one cared.
I got them to put out an APB
for Andrea Greene,
but it doesn't seem
to be a priority.
Can you believe we have
the same last name?
What if we're kin?
I keep asking myself
why I'm so drawn to this case,
why I'm so drawn to her.
I look at Andrea's face,
sometimes I see nothing,
and sometimes I see myself.
Now, why is that?
I wonder how different life
could've been for her
if say, I had taken her in
or my parents.
But anyways,
we'll see if she pops up.
They were already looking for
her on the break-in supposedly,
but [scoffs]
I found a couple of other
murders that fit the profile,
but
I need some more evidence.
I just wish I could talk to her.
[laughs]
Maybe at a [bleep] concert.
I could run into Andrea there.
I better start saving up.
Those tickets are not cheap.
♪
[laughs] Really?
We found her.
They found her.
Is this her brother?
No, that's her.
That's got to be.
You don't think
it looks like her.
She's going by Tony now.
I knew we'd catch a break.
Everybody here thinks
I'm looking at it wrong, but
I've combed her socials.
I know it's her,
but no one believes me.
[laughs]
I'm gonna go down to Atlanta.
See if I can talk to her.
Try and fill in the gaps.
I told them to hold her.
Hopefully she doesn't make bail
before I get there.
Do you think there are more
murders out there?
[scoffs]
I guarantee it.
I guarantee it.
♪
[engine starts]
♪
♪
What you directing?
I'm directing this show
that I'm working on right now
with, like, uh, Chloe
and Damson and Dom Fishback.
It's in the works.
It's going well.
♪
Been a Barbie doll type ♪
[Gretchen Wilson:
"Redneck Woman"]
No, I can't swig
that sweet champagne ♪
I'd rather drink beer
all night ♪
In a tavern
or in a honky-tonk ♪
Or on a four-wheel drive
tailgate ♪
I've got posters on my wall
of Skynyrd, Kid and Strait ♪
Some people look down on me ♪
But I don't give a rip ♪
I stand barefooted
in my own front yard ♪
With a baby on my hip ♪
'Cause I'm a redneck woman ♪
And I ain't
no high-class broad ♪
I'm just a product
of my raising ♪
I say, "Hey, y'all"
and "Yee-haw" ♪
And I keep my Christmas
lights on ♪
On my front porch
all year long ♪
And I know all the words ♪
To every
Charlie Daniels song ♪
So here's to all my sisters ♪
Out there keeping it country ♪
Let me get a big "Hell yeah" ♪
From the redneck girls
like me ♪
Hell yeah! ♪♪