"I tried to tell investigators and I did tell the FBI but it was blown off it's not an addition problem it's a multiplication problem leaves the state leaves the country thank you private pilots license" — Todd Kohlhepp (Confession excerpt)
The episode begins by detailing the brutal quadruple homicide at the Superbike Store in Chesney, South Carolina, in 2003, where owner Scott, his mother, his friend Brian, and a mechanic named Chris were found murdered. Initial investigations focused on a witness, Noel, who discovered the bodies, but he was eventually cleared. The investigation yielded little, with no signs of theft or clear motive, leading to speculation of a personal attack. Sketches of a red car and a blue pickup truck were released, along with a description of a potential witness or suspect, but these leads did not yield immediate results.
The investigation took a significant turn when DNA evidence suggested that the store owner Scott's wife, Melissa, had a child with his friend and employee, Brian. This revelation shifted suspicion towards Melissa, leading to her legal representation and a halt in police questioning. However, after 18 months, a re-examination of the crime lab's work revealed a mix-up: Scott's and Brian's DNA samples had been switched. This error exonerated Melissa and highlighted a critical flaw in the investigation, costing valuable time and resources.
The narrative then transitions to the disappearance of couples Johnny and Megan Coxie in 2015 and Charlie and Kayla in 2016. The latter case gained national attention due to creepy social media posts made retroactively by an unknown party while the couple was missing. Investigations traced their phones to Woodruff, South Carolina, and a connection was made to real estate agent Todd Kohlhepp, with whom Kayla had communicated. A search of Kohlhepp's property led to the discovery of Kayla, who had been held captive, and the confirmation of Charlie's murder. Kohlhepp later confessed to the Superbike murders, as well as the disappearances of the Coxie couple and Charlie and Kayla. His confession suggested a pattern of luring victims, particularly couples, to his property under the guise of job opportunities, before murdering them. Kohlhepp's confession also hinted at a much higher victim count than officially confirmed, framing it as a "multiplication problem" rather than an "addition problem."