Michigan Serial Killer Carl Watts Back in the Spotlight on ID Documentary

For many Michiganders, the name Carl Eugene Watts remains one of the most disturbing chapters in the state's true crime history. Now, the man known as the "Sunday Slasher" is back in the spotlight as Investigation Discovery's People Magazine Investigates: Surviving a Serial Killer focuses on the survivors who helped bring him to justice.

RELATED: Most Prolific Killer in U.S. History Was Caught by Michigan Witness

The episode, Surviving the Sunday Slasher, follows the stories of Leonore Knizacky and Diane Hoskins, two women who managed to survive Watts' brutal attacks. Their firsthand accounts reveal how this twisted killer managed to evade capture, despite being tied to numerous murders in multiple states.

Carl Watts Remains One of Michigan's Most Notorious Killers

A close look at yellow crime scene tape spread across a metal fence. Black lettering on the tape reads: POLICE LINE DO NOT CROSS

Watts has deep ties to Michigan, where several of his crimes occurred during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Investigators have long suspected his victim count was far higher than the cases officially linked to him, making him one of the most prolific serial killers associated with the state.

What makes his story especially terrifying is that multiple women survived encounters with Watts and later provided crucial information to investigators.

New True Crime Series Focuses on Survivors, Not the Killer

Instead of glorifying the murderer, the series shines a light on the women who lived through unimaginable attacks and helped stop a predator.

RELATED: Inside the Gruesome 1999 Murder That Shocked Jackson, Michigan

The People Magazine Investigates: Surviving a Serial Killer episode featuring Watts survivors airs June 10, 2026, at 9 p.m. on Investigation Discovery and will later stream on Hulu and HBO Max.