Crime House 24/7: Night Watch

Episode: "The Sleepwalking Murder That Shocked America: Scott Falater (Part 1)"

Host: Katie Ring
Date: February 17, 2026

Episode Overview

This Night Watch episode, hosted by Katie Ring, delves into the infamous case of Scott Falater—the Arizona man convicted of murdering his wife, Yarmila, in 1997. The episode spotlights not just the violence of the crime, but the sensational legal defense that captured the nation's attention: Scott Falater’s claim that he’d committed the murder while sleepwalking, and thus had no recollection of the act. Part 1 provides a detailed exploration of the Falater family’s background, Scott’s lifelong struggle with sleepwalking, the dynamics of his marriage, and the events leading up to the tragedy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction to the Case and Its Unusual Defense

• [00:45] Katie Ring summarizes the key intrigue: “Tonight's case dominated headlines not because of the crime itself, but because of the defense. Scott Falater claimed that the only reason he stabbed his wife 44 times and drowned her was because he was sleepwalking and he doesn't remember a single thing.”
• The episode introduces how Scott’s sleepwalking defense made the case a media sensation.

2. Background: Childhood and Family Dynamics

• [03:18] Katie Ring outlines Scott and Yarmila’s upbringing in Illinois:

  • Yarmila was known for her “intelligence, spunk and kind nature”.
  • Scott was the eldest of five in a devout Catholic, but turbulent, household—his father was abusive and struggled with alcoholism.
  • Childhood stress led to maladaptive behaviors: “It started when Scott was about 10 and he started wetting the bed … Soon Scott was sleepwalking. He never had any memory of what he did during these episodes. He only heard about it from his family.”
  • Early sleepwalking incidents were mild but escalated to dangerous episodes, such as pushing his father and, later, physically hurting his sister while sleepwalking.

  [04:29] Katie Ring: “The strength that Scott displayed was borderline aggressive and his parents weren't sure how to help him because they didn't want to trigger him while he was sleeping.”

3. Scott and Yarmila’s Relationship

• Backstory of Scott meeting Yarmila in high school; both eldest siblings in Catholic families.

• Their relationship survived long-distance during college:

  • Yarmila pursued microbiology, Scott electrical engineering.
  • They eventually got engaged and planned a life together.

  [06:56] Katie Ring: “Yarmila saw a future with Scott. Both had dreams of going to college and one day starting a family … Not long after meeting the pair became inseparable.”

4. Scott’s Struggle with Sleepwalking

• Multiple sleepwalking episodes as a young adult, noted as escalating in severity during times of high stress (e.g., after friend’s death or during finals).
• Family kept Scott’s parasomnia private, believing he’d never intentionally harm them.

5. Settling Down and Conversion to Mormonism

• [10:49] Katie Ring: By 1976, both were committed to their careers and life together.

• Scott’s conversion to Mormonism, influencing the family’s religious life.

• Marriage, relocation to Florida for Scott’s job, and eventual children (Megan and Michael).

  [11:54] Katie Ring: “They never fought or complained about each other at all … Yarmila’s friends tried to get her to say something that she didn’t like about Scott, but she genuinely had nothing.”

6. Family and Career Life

• Multiple relocations for Scott’s escalating engineering career.
• Despite moves, they prioritized family and faith; Scott determined to be the loving parent he didn’t have.
• Yarmila quit her career to care for their children; occasionally struggled with isolation, especially after their move to Minnesota and later Phoenix, Arizona.
• Scott rose to a prominent management position, but mounting stress from work led to personal difficulties, and his sleepwalking returned.

7. The Mounting Pressure and Foreshadowing Tragedy

• By late 1990s, Scott faced the pressure of impending layoffs at work.

• Stress caused renewed bouts of sleepwalking, which began to worry Yarmila.

  [15:39] Katie Ring: “Even if Scott was a little conflict avoidant, his intention seemed pure, especially because he treated his children with just as much love and care as his wife. He was determined to be the loving father he never had.”

• The family took a trip to Sedona, Arizona in December 1996, attempting to relieve Scott’s stress—a poignant moment, as this would be one of their last happy days together.

8. The Night of the Murder

• [20:16] Katie Ring recounts the night in detail:

  • January 16, 1997: Scott has a typical evening, working on pool maintenance and preparing church materials.
  • After going to bed, the neighbors hear noises; neighbor Greg Coons investigates and witnesses Scott drag his wife to the pool and hold her underwater.
  • Disturbing details: Greg sees Scott act calmly, even putting on gloves before moving Yarmila; Greg is unsure if it’s Yarmila at first, thinking perhaps a stranger.
  • Police find a bloody, chaotic scene: Yarmila with multiple stab wounds, blood in and around the pool area, and bloodied clothes hidden in the trunk.

  [22:36] Katie Ring: “The 911 dispatch had alluded to a possible drowning. The officers had expected to perform CPR, but there was clearly something more sinister going on. Not only was an unresponsive woman floating in the pool, but the water was completely red. One officer thought to himself it looked like the scene of a shark attack.”

• Scott is arrested, surrounded by evidence. His statement: he has no memory of what happened.

9. Cliffhanger and Invitation for Audience Reflection

• The episode closes with a preview from Katie:

  [25:48] Katie Ring: “In Part two, we follow what happens next as investigators, prosecutors and the public try and decide whether Scott was a calculated killer or a man who truly didn’t know what he had done. What did you think of tonight’s case? Drop your thoughts and theories in the comments. See you next time.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the defense's uniqueness:
  • “The trial was a sensation not because of the crime itself, but because of Scott Follater's defense.” — Katie Ring [00:45]
• On early warning signs:
  • “For years, Scott’s family believed his sleepwalking was something they could manage. But that night in his parents bedroom was a warning because the line between sleep and violence was starting to disappear.” — Katie Ring [04:47]
• On the family’s closeness:
  • “Yarmila’s friends played a game where everyone had to write down 10 things they wanted to change about their spouse… But no one laughed at Yarmila’s because hers was completely blank.” — Katie Ring [11:54]
• On the neighbor’s shock:
  • “Greg ran back to his house and immediately called 911. He told the dispatcher that his neighbor had thrown his wife into the pool and was drowning her.” — Katie Ring [21:11]
• On the crime scene:
  • “One officer thought to himself it looked like the scene of a shark attack.” — Katie Ring [22:36]

Timeline & Timestamps of Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |---------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:45 | Introduction to the Scott Falater case and sleepwalking defense | | 03:18 | Scott and Yarmila’s early life and Scott’s childhood trauma and sleep disturbances | | 06:56 | Story of Scott and Yarmila’s meeting and relationship history | | 10:49 | Conversion to Mormonism, marriage, family life, and career ascension | | 15:39 | Approaching crisis: Scott’s work stress, return of sleepwalking, family Sedona trip | | 20:16 | Detailed account of the murder night; neighbor’s eyewitness testimony | | 22:36 | Police discover and process the brutal crime scene | | 25:48 | Episode close, teaser for Part 2, host invites listener theories |

Tone & Style

Katie Ring’s narration is measured and compassionate, blending factual detail with humanizing insights into both Scott and Yarmila’s lives. She is careful not to pass judgment, repeatedly emphasizing the presumption of innocence and letting the evidence and accounts speak for themselves. The language is vivid and descriptive, especially in recounting shocking or disturbing details.

Summary

Part 1 of the Scott Falater deep dive offers a thorough foundation for understanding not just the tragic crime, but also the complex psychological, familial, and societal factors at play. The episode stands out for its careful balance of empathy, skepticism, and meticulous narrative pacing, setting the stage for further examination of the trial and aftermath in Part 2.

Next Episode Preview:
Part 2 will examine the investigation, trial, and public debates—was Falater a cold-blooded killer as prosecutors claimed, or a man tormented by a violent disorder beyond his control?