Due to the graphic nature of this episode, listener discretion is advised.

This episode contains discussions of murder, violence, and sexual assault.

Extreme caution is advised for listeners under 13.

On September 23, 1980, Charles Stewart stood still in the Inky Blackness,

cautiously eyeing the strange white man walking toward him.

It was an unusual sight in this part of Buffalo, particularly at 11.30 at night.

Charles didn't think the man looked particularly menacing.

He was average in every way, clean, shave, and about 5'8", maybe 150 pounds.

Still, Charles glanced uneasily toward his friend Emanuel on a nearby stoop.

When he was close enough to hear, the stranger asked if Charles knew where a Diane or a Dorothy lived.

It was hard to make out exactly what he said.

Charles shook his head no.

He didn't know anyone by either of those names.

The man seemed to accept Charles' answer and turned to walk away.

With the coast clear, Emanuel and Charles started walking along Zener Street.

They had just left a card game at a neighbor's house a few minutes walk away.

Charles had practically forgotten all about the man until they reached a street corner.

That's when he heard the stranger call out to them once again.

Charles and Emanuel turned to see what the guy wanted this time,

and were met with the sight of a saw-off 22 caliber rifle pointed straight at them.

Hi, I'm Greg Poulson.

This is Cereal Killers, a Spotify original from Parkast.

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