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Documentary•Crime

The Worst Episodes of The Hillside Strangler

Every episode of The Hillside Strangler ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of The Hillside Strangler!

Binge this in 1h 49m•Peaking at 7.1/10

For the first time in over 40 years, Frank Salerno tells his story of the Hillside Strangler manhunt, revisiting the case that changed him forever. Kenneth Bianchi shares his story on camera for the first

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Seasons1

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Worst Episode
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    The Hillside Strangler Season 1 Episode 1 - City of Dreams, City of Nightmares
    6.7/10(27 votes)
    S1:E1

    Ten women are slain, their bodies dumped across the iconic hillsides of Los Angeles; activists demand justice as the media turns murder into spectacle; detectives Frank Salerno and Pete Finnigan race to stop the killer before he strikes again.

    Director:Peter LoGreco
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. The Hillside Strangler Season 1 Episode 2 - The Many Faces of Ken Bianchi
    7.0/10(21 votes)
    S1:E2

    Detectives link two killings in Bellingham, WA, to Ken Bianchi, exposing him as the Hillside Strangler; facing death row, he claims amnesia and submits to hypnosis; decades later, Bianchi argues his murderous confessions were fabricated.

    Director:Peter LoGreco
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. The Hillside Strangler Season 1 Episode 3 - The Trial of the Century
    7.1/10(16 votes)
    S1:E3

    Bianchi's insanity plea collapses, and he flips on cousin Angelo Buono to avoid the death penalty; but as the trial becomes a media circus, Bianchi's story keeps changing, forcing the district attorney to move to dismiss the case.

    Director:Peter LoGreco
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. The Hillside Strangler Season 1 Episode 4 - The Conman
    7.1/10(9 votes)
    S1:E4

    As the case falters, the judge turns Buono's prosecution over to the California Attorney General, launching the longest and most expensive trial in U.S. history; decades later, Bianchi maintains his innocence and fights for parole.

    Director:Peter LoGreco
    Writer:Unknown

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Worst Episodes Summary

"City of Dreams, City of Nightmares" is the worst rated episode of "The Hillside Strangler". It scored 6.7/10 based on 27 votes. Directed by Peter LoGreco and written by Unknown, it aired on 1/18/2026. This episode scored 0.3 points lower than the second lowest rated, "The Many Faces of Ken Bianchi".