UNCONSCIOUS KILLER: The Sleepwalker Murder Pt. 1

Summary

Killer Minds: Serial Killers & True Crime Murders

Episode: UNCONSCIOUS KILLER: The Sleepwalker Murder Pt. 1

Release Date: October 27, 2025
Hosts: Vanessa Richardson & Dr. Tristan Ingalls
Podcast Network: Crime House Studios

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Episode Overview

This gripping episode delves into the haunting case of Scott Falater, a seemingly perfect husband and father accused of brutally murdering his wife, Yarmila, in 1997 while allegedly sleepwalking. Hosts Vanessa Richardson and forensic psychologist Dr. Tristan Ingalls explore Falater's troubled upbringing, the psychological underpinnings of sleep disorders like parasomnia, and the tragic events that led to a shocking murder charge. The episode balances immersive storytelling with psychological analysis, probing whether someone could truly commit murder while asleep—and what drives a person to such extremes.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Scott Falater’s Early Life and Family Dynamics

[04:23] Vanessa recounts Scott's childhood:

• Born in Illinois in 1955, eldest of five in a devout Catholic family.
• Endured emotional and physical abuse from his alcoholic father, Frederick.
• Scott excelled in school and music, outwardly adjusted, but learned to compartmentalize trauma.

[05:32] Dr. Ingalls explains compartmentalization:

• Chronic stress in children leads to coping by suppressing shame and fear.
• While it helps build resilience, it can cause emotional suppression and a fragmented identity later in life.

“Compartmentalizing lets a child... focus on school, friends and hobbies while attempting to suppress feelings of shame or fear, and that helps build coping skills and resilience. But it also promotes emotional suppression, alexithymia... and a fragmented identity.” — Dr. Tristan Ingalls [05:35]

Early Signs of Parasomnias and Escalation

[06:21] Vanessa details Scott’s sleepwalking episodes:

• Began bedwetting and sleepwalking at age 10.
• Episodes escalated: walking naked, leaving the house at night, exhibiting unexpected strength.
• His family kept his sleepwalking a secret, attempting to manage it privately.

[07:49] Dr. Ingalls on parasomnia:

• Sleep disorders like sleepwalking are more common in children, often caused by stress, sleep deprivation, and trauma.
• Such disorders may include physical acting out of traumatic material.

“Scott’s abusive childhood... raises arousal, fragments sleep cycles, and prevents normal emotional processing... That unprocessed fear often resurfaces at night as night terrors or automatic behaviors.” — Dr. Tristan Ingalls [08:10]

[09:09] Memory Loss and Sleepwalking:

• During deep, non-REM sleep, new memories can’t form, explaining why sleepwalkers often have no recollection.

“...the brain is actively consolidating and stabilizing existing memories... it makes it nearly impossible for someone to form any new memories during this state. And that's why typically, there is no recollection of their sleepwalking.” — Dr. Tristan Ingalls [09:13]

Adolescent and Young Adult Struggles

[10:04] Vanessa describes:

• Father’s abandonment and death of a friend compounded Scott’s stress, escalating sleepwalking episodes.
• His sleepwalking turned violent: once, he threw his sister across the room in a trance-like state.

[11:28] Dr. Ingalls:

• Explains why sleepwalkers can appear unusually strong and sometimes violent—frontal brain controls are offline, leading to uninhibited, automatic defensive actions.
• Violence in sleepwalking is rare and requires specific factors: acute stress, sleep deprivation, substance use, prior trauma.

Managing Dangerous Sleepwalking

[12:39] Dr. Ingalls offers advice:

• Secure potential weapons, ensure doors/windows are locked, consider supervised sleeping spaces.
• Full medical and psychological workups are crucial for those with dangerous parasomnia.

“This needs to be treated with urgency... have them sleep in a supervised space if necessary... and then get a full medical workup.” — Dr. Tristan Ingalls [12:42]

Scott’s Relationship and Adult Life

[13:20] Vanessa:

• Scott keeps sleepwalking secret. Builds a life with girlfriend Yarmila, eventually marrying and starting a family.
• Scott’s parasomnias appear dormant during periods of stability and happiness.

Life Transitions and New Stressors

[16:12] Vanessa:

• After upward career moves, eventual relocation to Minnesota leaves Yarmila isolated and unhappy.
• Family moves again to Phoenix, Arizona where they rebuild their happiness and community.

[21:57] Dr. Ingalls analyzes Yarmila’s isolation:

• Losing work, friends, and social structure can cause low mood and dependency on a single relationship. Recommends restoring routines, volunteering, social connection, and possibly therapy.

“Structure reduces rumination and improves motivation. I would also suggest rebuilding social ties...you can’t make any friends without effort.” — Dr. Tristan Ingalls [23:13]

The Return of Sleepwalking: Proximity to the Crime

[24:00] Vanessa:

• Work stress triggers the return of Scott’s sleepwalking. High workload, lack of sleep, and caffeine pill use create the perfect storm for a sleep episode.

[26:48] Dr. Ingalls:

• Explains the convergence of triggers like sleep deprivation and stimulant use on parasomnia reemergence.
• 20–30% of childhood sleepwalkers continue into adulthood, especially under acute stress.

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The Crime: What Happened the Night of January 16, 1997

[31:25] Vanessa reconstructs the events:

• After a normal night at home, Scott works on a pool filter outside around 9pm.
• Neighbors hear moaning and pleas for help between 10:30–11pm.
• Neighbor Greg witnesses Scott, in pajamas, drag a woman—likely his wife—to the pool and drown her. Greg calls 911.

[34:17] Dr. Ingalls on bystander inaction:

• Shock and ambiguity cause hesitation; personal connection (relationship bias) makes people doubt themselves and avoid immediate intervention.

[35:30] Vanessa:

• Police arrive, find Yarmila dead and the backyard full of blood. Bloodstained clothes, gloves, and a hunting knife are found in the car’s trunk.
• Scott is found inside, groggy and confused, claims he’s just woken up and knows nothing about an incident.

[39:54] Dr. Ingalls:

• Describes the typical confusion and disorientation when waking a sleepwalker.
• Notes that Scott’s ability to regain orientation and answer questions quickly is atypical, and the timing of the episode is unusual.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On sleepwalking and violence:
  “Sleepwalking itself does not cause violence. It's rather a combination of the factors... that can create the criteria for violence.”
  — Dr. Tristan Ingalls [11:39]

• On perfect marriages:
  “Seemingly ‘perfect relationships’ are usually one of two things. There could genuinely be a very healthy relationship, or it's a very convincing performance... Partners keep painful material out of sight so the relationship looks calm, even if it's not.”
  — Dr. Tristan Ingalls [19:16]

• On sleep disorder triggers:
  “Sleep deprivation and substance use can increase the chance of nocturnal episodes, especially in someone who already has an established history.”
  — Dr. Tristan Ingalls [26:48]

• On bystander effect and relationship bias:
  “Greg knew and liked the Falaters... that alone can make him doubt his own eyes and minimize what he is seeing.”
  — Dr. Tristan Ingalls [34:23]

• On sleepwalking amnesia:
  “Because of all of these neural processes occurring during this state and the low levels of key neurotransmitters, it makes it nearly impossible for someone to form any new memories during this state.”
  — Dr. Tristan Ingalls [09:16]

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Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |------------|-------------------------------------------------| | 04:23 | Scott’s childhood, abuse, and compartmentalization | | 06:21 | Early sleepwalking episodes escalate | | 07:49 | Clinical insight on parasomnia | | 09:09 | Memory issues in sleepwalking | | 10:04 | Father's abandonment and further stress | | 11:28 | Explaining sleepwalking violence | | 12:39 | Safety advice for dangerous sleepwalking | | 21:57 | Analysis of Yarmila's isolation and advice | | 24:00 | Work stress, stimulant use, and relapse | | 26:48 | Parasomnia triggers and adult recurrence | | 31:25 | Night of the murder—detailed account | | 34:17 | Neighbor’s perspective and bystander effect | | 35:30 | Discovery, police entry, and arrest | | 39:54 | Waking a sleepwalker—psychological mechanisms | | 42:30 | Police confusion and interrogation setup |

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Tone and Language

The hosts maintain a respectful, analytical tone—balancing forensic detail with empathy for both victim and accused. Vanessa’s narrative is clear and immersive, often pausing for Dr. Ingalls’ clinical breakdowns and practical advice. The subject matter is handled gravely but never sensationalized, matching the podcast’s “twisted psychology behind the crimes” ethos.

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Conclusion & Next Steps

The episode concludes with Scott under arrest, claiming amnesia for a crime witnessed by his neighbor and supported by incriminating evidence. Yet, questions linger: Was this a calculated act or the horrifying result of dissociated sleepwalking? The investigation and ensuing trial will be covered in the next episode.

End Quote:
“The investigation into [Scott], him and the trial that followed would breed more controversy and debate than any other crime like it, and to this day it continues to mystify and haunt people everywhere.” — Vanessa Richardson [43:23]

Next episode preview: The dramatic trial and debate over the "sleepwalking defense."

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This summary captures all major themes, psychological insights, and the tragic events leading up to the murder, providing a clear, structured overview for new listeners and dedicated fans alike.

Transcript

[Vanessa Richardson]

Crime House has the perfect new show for spooky season Twisted Tales. Hosted by Heidi Wong, each episode of Twisted Tales is perfect for late night scares and daytime frights, revealing the disturbing real life events that inspired the world's most terrifying blockbusters and the ones too twisted to make it to screen. Twisted Tales is a Crime House original powered by Pave Studios. Listen wherever you get your podcasts New episodes out every Monday. This is Crime House. Memory can be tricky. Even the best of us can forget bad things we've done, only for them to resurface unexpectedly. Maybe your parents tell an embarrassing story from your childhood or or your friends have to fill you in after one too many drinks. For the most part, these realizations are harmless, even amusing. But for Scott Folator, it created a waking nightmare. One night in 1997, Scott's perfect life was shattered when he learned that his wife of 20 years was brutally murdered in their backyard. Scott said he was fast asleep when it happened. Then things took an even darker turn when police told Scott he was the one who did it. The human mind is powerful. It shapes how we think, feel, love and hate. But sometimes it drives people to commit the unthinkable. This is Killer Minds, a Crime House Original. I'm Vanessa Richardson.

[Dr. Tristan Ingalls]

And I'm Dr. Tristan Ingalls. Every Monday and Thursday we uncover the darkest minds in history, analyzing what makes.

[Vanessa Richardson]

A killer Crime House is made possible by you. Please rate, review and follow Killer Minds to enhance your listening experience with ad. Free early access to each two part series and bonus content. Subscribe to Crime House plus on Apple Podcasts. Before we get started, be advised. This episode contains descriptions of mental illness, child abuse and murder. Today we begin our deep dive on Scott Filator, the stand up husband and father with a mysterious past who was accused of killing his own wife in 1997. Scott didn't dispute the allegations, but he claimed he had no memory of doing it because he was fast asleep.

[Dr. Tristan Ingalls]

As Vanessa goes through the story, I'll be talking about things like what causes certain sleep disorders like sleepwalking, the relationship between sleepwalking and extreme stress, and what people might be capable of while sleepwalking, and whether they can commit violent acts without remembering.

[Vanessa Richardson]

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From the time he was young, Scott Filleder learned how to put on a brave face. He was born on September 14, 1955 and grew up in Illinois in 19. The eldest of five, Scott was raised in a middle class Catholic household where his mother Lois was a nurse and his father Frederick was an HR manager. Even though the Feladers were devout Catholics, their home was not always a peaceful one. Behind closed doors, Frederick was reportedly a heavy drinker, prone to angry outbursts. He fought with his wife, often violently, and abused his children emotionally and physically. As the eldest son, Scott bore the brunt of that stress. He cared for his siblings through the hard times and despite the chaos and violence at home, Scott excelled in school. He played the clarinet and loved classical music. Through these hobbies, he also made many close friends. As far as anyone could tell, he was happy and well adjusted. Few people realized how good he'd become at compartmentalizing his rough home life so that he could succeed on his own.

[Dr. Tristan Ingalls]

So let's talk about compartmentalization. Clinically, when a child or anyone is under chronic threat, the brain prioritizes survival and compartmentalizing lets a child do that. They focus on school, friends and hobbies while attempting to suppress feelings of shame or fear, and that helps build coping skills and resilience. But it also promotes emotional suppression, alexithymia, which is trouble naming feelings and a fragmented identity. Over time, chronic stress, elevated cortisol and sleep disrupt increases risk for anxiety, depression, substance use and poor emotional regulation. Attachment and trust can also be impaired, particularly in instances like this when there is an unstable home environment or abuse, because that can teach the child it's unsafe to rely on others.

[Vanessa Richardson]

That stress in Scott's home life manifested in maladaptive ways which he seemed to have no control over. It started when Scott was about 10 and he started wetting the bed. This was bad enough for a child who was well past potty training age, but things only got worse. Soon, Scott started sleepwalking. He never had any memory of what he did during these episodes. He only heard about it from his family. At first, Scott's sleepwalking was relatively benign. He would amble around the house, and even though his eyes were open, he was completely asleep. But without treatment, and as his father's abuse continued, Scott's behavior while sleepwalking grew more severe. One night when he was around 12 years old, Scott emerged from his room stark naked, Walked into his parents room and told them he was ready for school. Frederick got out of bed and placed his hands on Scott's shoulders to try and guide him back to his room. But Scott pushed back with alarming force. His father couldn't get him to move at all. Frederick was stunned, and Laurie was disturbed. The strength that Scott displayed was borderline aggressive. His parents weren't sure how to help him after that because they didn't want to trigger him while he was sleepwalking. However, their inaction led to consequences, including another night that followed when Scott left the house naked and walked to school in the middle of the night.

[Dr. Tristan Ingalls]

So parasomnia disorders, which you're talking about, are characterized by unintentional abnormal behaviors, perceptions, or experiences that occur during sleep or at the transition of sleep and wakefulness. Examples of parasomnia disorders include sleepwalking, Also bedwetting, night tears, Sleep paralysis, and even sleep related eating. They are more common in children and they're believed to be caused by factors like stress, Sleep deprivation, Certain medications, or underlying medical or neurological conditions. They can also be a symptom of another sleep disorder. Scott's abusive childhood is one that could create parasomnias because it's a chronically high stress and traumatic environment that raises arousal fragments, sleep cycles, and prevents normal emotional processing. If there's no adult to soothe him or to help him name and cope with those very scary feelings. That unprocessed fear often resurfaces at night as night terrors or automatic behaviors like bedwetting, which we know clinically as enuresis. Dissociative tendencies like compartmentalizing, which it seems like Scott's already been engaging in, also weakens the sleep wake boundary so the child can physically act out traumatic material while they're asleep.

[Vanessa Richardson]

Are people usually unaware of what they do while they're sleepwalking?

[Dr. Tristan Ingalls]

So, generally speaking, sleepwalking episodes commonly occur during deep, non rapid eye movement or non rem sleep, where the brain is not fully asleep or awake. In this state, the brain is actively consolidating and stabilizing existing memories. The thalamus, which is the sensory relay center of the brain, is inactive and the body is at work repairing itself. And because of all of these neural processes occurring during the state and the low levels of key neurotransmitters, it makes it nearly impossible for someone to form any new memories during this state. And that's why typically, there is no recollection of their sleepwalking. That said, partial recall can happen. So sometimes people can remember brief fragments or lasting emotions like fear or confusion. That is possible upon wakening.

[Vanessa Richardson]

Scott was clearly having difficulty coping with his home life. But all the stress came to a head during his early teenage years when his father abandoned the family. Now Scott's mother, Lois, was left to raise him and his four siblings alone. Even though Frederick had caused the family so much torment over the years, he was still Scott's father. Scott couldn't help but feel a huge sense of loss. And those feelings of grief only got worse a few years later when Scott was 18 years old and one of his friends died in a drunk driving accident As a result of all the misfortune he'd experienced. Scott's sleepwalking went from unsettling to sinister. One night, when Scott was around 20 years old, he walked into the kitchen partially clothed and began trying to open the back door. His sister Laura was in the room at the time. She knew that Scott was under a lot of stress because of his final exams. So when she noticed her brother's trance like state, she could tell what was happening and she didn't want to let him wander off outside. Laura reached around Scott and tried to secure the deadbolt before he could leave. Then Scott turned and looked at her with an expression that Laura later described as demonic. The look sent a chill down her spine. But before she could do anything, Scott grabbed her, lifted her up and threw her across the room.

[Dr. Tristan Ingalls]

People can be unusually strong while sleepwalking because the frontal control systems that normally inhibit force like that are offline, while basic motor and autonomic systems are wide awake. So why does violence sometimes occur in these instances, but not all instances? So parasomnias can replay threat material? If the person's sleep based imagery or an environmental cue is interpreted as dangerous, the brain can execute defensive Behavior behaviors like fleeing or striking without any conscious intent. The risk of this elevates when there is already sleep deprivation, which could be the case here, given the stress from the abandonment and exam pressures. And it definitely can escalate with drugs or alcohol, certain medications, unresolved trauma, which is what we typically see supplying that threat content, as well as neurological issues. It's also quite rare that violence occurs during sleepwalking. Sleepwalking itself does not cause violence. It's rather a combination of the factors that I just outlined that can create the criteria for violence.

[Vanessa Richardson]

What advice would you give someone whose behavior during sleepwalking episodes? Is this dangerous?

[Dr. Tristan Ingalls]

That's an excellent question. So this needs to be treated with urgency. The first thing I would suggest is to ensure all potential weapons are secured, like kitchen knives or firearms. If they are in the home, you have to ensure all windows and doors are secured, particularly if their bedroom is not on the first floor. And that's to reduce any risk of injury. Have them sleep in a supervised space if necessary, or install bed alarms or door sensors, and then get a full medical workup. And that includes a visit to a primary care physician, a possible neurologist who specializes in sleep disorders, and a therapist, especially if there's a history of trauma or prolonged exposure to stress.

[Vanessa Richardson]

Fortunately, it doesn't seem like Laura was badly hurt, but after this incident, Scott was aware of the harm he was capable of while unconscious. Still, Scott's mother and siblings knew he would never intentionally hurt them. So whatever happened at night stayed between the family. Keeping Scott's sleepwalking a secret let him maintain a normal academic and social life, and his social life was thriving. In high school, Scott met his first and only girlfriend, Yarmola Kleskin. Scott, who was pretty soft spoken, was drawn to Yarmola's confidence and dry sense of humor. The more they got to know each other, the more they realized they had in common. Yarmola was also the eldest of her siblings and was raised in a Catholic household. We don't know if Scott told Yarmila about his parasomnia, but if he did, it didn't bother her. 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. That changed after high school, when Scott and Yarmola were accepted to different colleges 50 miles apart. However, they were dedicated to each other and made their relationship work by visiting each other each month. Being apart so much was still difficult, though, especially because of how demanding their schooling was. Yarmula pursued a career in microbiology and Scott studied electrical engineering. He also worked part time to begin saving up for their future family. Despite how busy they were, the young couple stuck it out. And in 1975, during the summer before their senior year in college, Scott took Yarmila to her favorite restaurant and proposed. Yarmila said yes, it was a dream come true for both of them. They planned to get married after they each earned their master's degrees. Through this happy time, Scott didn't experience any sleepwalking that we know of. However big changes were were just around the corner. And when the pressures of adult life became too much for Scott, his old demons crawled out from the shadows. Holiday PSA from DSW this is your reminder that shoes are a gift. Literally. So unwrap something good, like boots that.

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A meme or milestone. All protected with end to end encryption. It's time for WhatsApp message privately with everyone. Learn [e-mail] In 1976, 21 year old Scott Volater was thriving. He was engaged to his high school sweetheart, Yarmoula Kleskin. They were both on promising career tracks and were already saving up to start a family. Scott's past struggles with parasomnia seemed to be behind him. With everything he had going in life, he felt more content and fulfilled than ever. He had everything he needed. At least so he thought. One day when a pair of Mormon missionaries appeared at Scott's doorstep, he was surprised at how much their conversation moved him. He and Yarmila were both raised Catholic, though neither felt deeply connected to the religion. And when Scott spoke with the missionaries, he realized the Mormon faith called to him. His relationship with Yarmola was still long distance, so on his own, Scott began attending Mormon service. Soon he was making new friends there and regularly attending church church events. He told Yarmila how much his new faith meant to him and asked if she would be willing to convert as well. Yarmila was skeptical at first, but eventually her fiance persuaded her. That same year, they were both baptized in the Mormon church and later got married. Their life together progressed happily for the next few years. Then, in 1980, when they were both in their mid-20s, the young couple left Illinois and moved to Melbourne, Florida, to start new jobs in their respective fields. Scott as an electrical engineer, and Yarmola in a medical lab. They bought a house there, and one year later, they welcomed their first child, a daughter named Megan. A few years after that, their son Michael was born. Scott and Yarmola were living a fairy tale. Their friends in Florida couldn't help but notice how happy they were together. They never fought or complained about each other at all. Once, while at a church party, Yarmila's friends played a game where everyone had to write down 10 things they wanted to change about their spouse. Then they passed their notes around and laughed at each other's comments. But no one laughed at Yarmila's because hers was completely blank. Her friends teased her and tried to get her to say something she didn't like about Scott, but she genuinely had nothing. In the end, Yarmoula's friends couldn't argue. They were well aware of how Scott openly doted on his wife. He prided himself on the fact that they never fought and said her happiness was more important to him than anything.

[Dr. Tristan Ingalls]

Seemingly quote, Perfect relationships are usually one of two things. There could genuinely be a very healthy relationship, or it's a very convincing performance, because there really, truly is no such thing as perfect. Every relationship, whether it's social, professional, romantic, or familial, requires work. So why do some people put on a facade? Not saying that that's the case here, but people do it. Firstly, it's important to highlight that some people prefer to keep their private affairs private. And that's absolutely their right. Sharing any frustration or negativity about their partner can open them up to being influenced by the opinions of others. And sometimes that can be more harmful to the relationship rather than helpful. And this could also be related to their spiritual beliefs as well. Commonly, couples put on a facade of perfection for impression management, especially if they have a more facing life. Some do it as a form of compartmentalization. Partners keep painful material out of sight so the relationship looks calm, even if it's not. That can be for survival, especially if there's intimate partner violence. In some cases, there's idealization and dependency, where one partner may be elevated to a caretaker role and the other learns to Stay passive to avoid conflict, to keep the peace. Some actually have something to gain by presenting as perfect, like prestige, even financially or identity benefits. And that's especially especially true for celebrities. None of this means a perfect looking marriage is necessarily bad. Internally, some are very resilient and generally low conflict. But realistically, nothing is perfect.

[Vanessa Richardson]

Even if Scott was a little conflict avoidant, his intentions 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. He and Yarmila took active roles in their kids lives, taking Michael to Cub Scouts and Megan to piano lessons. Megan and Michael always knew they could count on their parents. Eventually, Yarmila quit her job so that she could be there for her kids around the clock. And while she stayed home, Scott's career took off. He was the kind of steady, family oriented guy that his colleagues admired. And soon his reputation helped him land a new role in Minnesota. Yarmila and their kids were happy for him. The only problem was that they'd have to leave behind the community they built in Florida. And when they got to Minnesota, they realized it didn't have as much to offer. This was mainly because their local church was smaller. Since Yarmila stayed home, this affected her more than anyone. She soon realized how hard it was for her to make friends in her new home state. And she began and feeling isolated.

[Dr. Tristan Ingalls]

So Yarmoula has seemingly undergone a lot of change or loss in a very short time. She left the workforce to be more present for her children. And there's certainly nothing wrong with that. In fact, they were fortunate to have that option. But it's now compounded by a shrinking social community and possible identity crisis. This transition seemingly removed everyday structure and purpose, peer networks from work and church, a sense of community and her social role outside of the home. And clinically. In some individuals, that kind of isolation and change can cause low mood, loneliness and a sense of identity loss. In situations like Yarmilas, people can compensate by becoming overly dependent on a singular relationship, like perhaps her marriage. Develop poor boundaries, rumination, sleep and appetite problems, or somatic complaints. Isolation can also increase vulnerability to coercion or suggestibility because that need for connection can reduce cognitive awareness. When you're lonely, being accepted can feel more important than being safe. And that can lower your guard and raise the likelihood that you'll be susceptible to risky situations.

[Vanessa Richardson]

What's your advice for someone who's going through this?

[Dr. Tristan Ingalls]

I would suggest they start by restoring routine and purpose. And you can do this by keeping a daily schedule, including a sleep schedule, and setting daily goals that are both obtainable and sustainable. Start small and work your way up. Structure reduces rumination and it improves motivation. I would also suggest rebuilding social ties and it can be hard to make new friends the older we get or especially when we move somewhere new. But we can't make any friends without effort. So for that I suggest volunteering somewhere a few hours a week or getting a part time job if that's possible, taking a class in something that interests you, joining a parent group or anything with your children's school, and of course continuing participation in the church if you're faith based and in some cases, I'd recommend finding a therapist that you can meet with to help process the change and learn adaptive coping skills.

[Vanessa Richardson]

Yarmila had sacrificed her career and now her social life. The more time that passed, the more isolated she felt. Scott could see how unhappy she was and he didn't want her to have to keep feeling that way. At the same time, he didn't want to lose all the momentum he'd gained at work. Fortunately, in 1987 he found a compromise in the form of a new job in Phoenix, Arizona. That only only was it a corporate level management position. But Arizona had a much larger Mormon population than Minnesota. Once they were in Phoenix, the Feladers quickly found a strong church community. Soon enough everyone in the family was feeling at home and Yarmila was feeling happy again. She even got a part time job as a teacher's assistant and she loved it so much she planned to go full time when the kids were older. Both she and Scott decided that Arizona was where they wanted to settle down for good. They were even and saving up for retirement. This bright new chapter was also thanks to Scott's success at work. His employees loved him. They viewed him as level headed and a good example of how to strike a healthy work life balance. Because no matter how hard he worked, he always went home to his family on time and the higher ups noticed this as well. Within a few years, Scott was leading some of his company's most important projects. By the late 90s, Scott's work life completely changed. One of the product lines he was in charge of wasn't performing well and if things didn't improve, Scott would have to be the one to lay people off. He dreaded the thought of this so he began pulling all nighters to get more work done and hopefully save people's jobs. Soon Scott was showing up to work bleary eyed and tired and even falling asleep in meetings. Despite his Mormon faith, which prohibited caffeine, Scott started occasionally taking caffeine pills to stay awake. One pill apparently had twice the caffeine as two cans of Red Bull would have today. And in the end, it was all for nothing because Scott's superiors eventually informed him that at an upcoming department meeting, he would have to bring break the news to several people that they were being let go. That meeting was scheduled for January 17, 1997. And while we don't know how much notice Scott was given about the layoffs, we do know that it weighed on him heavily. As the stress mounted, Scott began sleepwalking again. By now, Yarmila had seen him sleepwalk a handful of times, but nothing serious ever happened. Usually he was woke up in the living room or even on their bedroom floor with no recollection of how he'd gotten there. However, as it started happening, more and more Yarmola was getting concerned.

[Dr. Tristan Ingalls]

Scott's sleepwalking likely reemerged because several well known triggers lined up at once. Firstly, he allegedly had impaired sleep and stimulant use, which is the caffeine pills. Sleep deprivation and substance use can increase the chance of nocturnal episodes, especially in someone who already has an established history. But also there appears to be high occupational stress and moral distress from that, as well as guilt and even possible religious conflict about his caffeine use. He may be using these pills in secret, which adds more internal turmoil. And when the brain is both sleep deprived and hyper aroused, the sleep wake boundary can weaken, and that can open the door to parasomnia episodes in somebody who's already vulnerable to them.

[Vanessa Richardson]

How common is it for childhood parasomnia like sleepwalking to actually re emerge in adulthood? And is it more likely to happen when someone someone's under a lot of stress?

[Dr. Tristan Ingalls]

Childhood parasomnias often fade, but according to research by the American Academy of sleep medicine, about 20 to 30% of children with recurrent sleepwalking will continue to have episodes into adolescence or adulthood. But why that range? Childhood vulnerability, like genetics or early parasomnia history creates a baseline risk. And then the triggers like severe stress, which is definitely one of the things that contributes sleep deprivation, stimulant or alcohol use, certain medications. Untreated sleep disorders commonly reawaken old parasomnias. So this would actually fit in Scott's case.

[Vanessa Richardson]

Scott was so worried about work, the upcoming meeting became the subject of every conversation at family dinner. His family could see the pressure wearing him thin. To try and alleviate things, the Feladers came up with an idea. They planned a trip to Sedona, Arizona. They thought a peaceful excursion among the vast canyons could help Scott relax and regroup. Group they went to Sedona on December 28, 1996. While there, they took in the views, had some quality time and shared laughs together. At one point, Yarmila turned on her video camera and Captured footage of 41 year old Scott with his arms around 17 year old Megan and 12 year old Michael. The trip was exactly what Scott needed. Little did the Feladers know that would be one of their last home videos because just a couple of weeks later Yarmula would be dead and all signs would point to Scott as her killer.

[Dr. Tristan Ingalls]

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[Vanessa Richardson]

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[Dr. Tristan Ingalls]

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[Dr. Tristan Ingalls]

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[Dr. Tristan Ingalls]

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[Vanessa Richardson]

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[Dr. Tristan Ingalls]

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[Vanessa Richardson]

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[Dr. Tristan Ingalls]

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[Vanessa Richardson]

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[Vanessa Richardson]

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[Dr. Tristan Ingalls]

The show is available on all major podcast platforms and new episodes come out every Tuesday. For more, find the show on Instagram. Sounds Like a Cult Pod.

[Vanessa Richardson]

In December of 1996, 41 year old Scott Filleder took a hiking trip with his family in Sedona, Arizona. Arizona. The trip was meant to help Scott alleviate some of the extreme stress he was under at work. Because in just a couple of Weeks, on January 17, 1997, he would have to go into work and lay off several of his employees. Even though the trip helped Scott decompress, he was completely on edge the night before the layoffs. Still, he did his best to stay calm and handle things the way he would on any other day. Day When Scott got home from work on January 16, he had dinner with his family. Then he prepared materials for the church youth class that he taught. After that, Scott's wife Yarmola reminded him that the filter in their pool was broken. Scott said he would go outside and see if he could fix it. He went into the backyard around 9pm with a flashlight. When he glanced at the filter, Scott noticed that part of it was rusty. He grabbed his hunting knife to try and dislodge it, but it was stuck. Around 9:30 he decided it was too dark outside to be able to get anything done. So he went back inside where Yarmolo was asleep on the living room couch. Scott woke her up, gave her a kiss and said he'd try again with the filter the following day. Then he headed upstairs, changed into his pajamas and was asleep by 10 o' clock clock. But Scott didn't stay in bed for long. Around 10:30, Scott and Yarmola's neighbors, Greg Coons and Stephanie Readhead began to hear unusual noises coming from their yard. It sounded like faint moaning sounds. Then Stephanie thought she heard a woman's voice saying something like Please help or Please stop. Greg and Stephanie were friends, friendly with the fellators. They wanted to make sure everything was okay, so Greg went outside to investigate. He stood on a planter and peered over the concrete fence between his house and the fellators. It was pretty dark outside, but soon Greg spotted a woman lying on her side several feet from their pool. She was groaning and moving slightly. At first Greg didn't recognize the woman and he thought she may have been drunkenly stumbled onto the Feladers property. But then a light went on inside the Feladers house and Greg spotted someone moving in a second floor window. His eyesight wasn't great and he could only make out their silhouette. But he watched as they entered the kitchen where it looked like they washed their hands. Then they went out into the backyard. Finally Greg could see that it was Scott. He was in his pajamas. Pajamas and he walked over to the woman and stood over her for a few minutes before going back inside. Greg was silent the whole time.

[Dr. Tristan Ingalls]

So let's walk through Greg's mindset because there are a number of possible reasons why he remains silent in that moment, starting with shock. Shock can literally freeze you. It buys time for people to process the scene and figure out how they want to respond. And some people remain silent out of fear if they suspect a crime has taken place. Stepping forward in the moment can feel dangerous, and as a result, often people elect to anonymously call the police instead of intervening. But I think, given the way in which you described Greg's experience, that there were two primary reasons he remained quiet. First, it was an ambiguous scene, and even Greg himself was unsure of what he was seeing, at least initially. He hears a commotion and he sees a woman on the ground in their backyard, and his immediate thought was she was an intoxicated intruder. When he saw Scott come outside, he may have felt that Scott had managed the intrusion on his own. But perhaps most significantly, there's a relationship bias. Greg knew and liked the fellaters. He saw them as upstanding neighbors, and that alone can make him doubt his own eyes and minimize what he is seeing. All of this can explain how fear, ambiguity, and even personal connection may have prevented his intervention.

[Vanessa Richardson]

Well, Greg remained standing there while Scott was inside. Meanwhile, the woman barely moved. At some point while he stared at her, Greg realized that it might be Yarmola. This only confused him more. He didn't understand why Scott wouldn't help her inside. A few minutes later, Scott re emerged from the house through a side door wearing a pair of black gloves. He went into the garage for a moment, and when he came back out, he motioned to the family dog to stay quiet as he closed the door. Scott walked back over to the woman, who Greg now believed was Yarmila. Scott crouched down, grabbed his wife and dragged her to the edge of the pool. Then, to Greg's horror, he pushed her in and held her head under the water until she stopped moving. Greg ran back to his house and immediately called 91 1. He told the dispatcher that his neighbor had thrown his wife into their pool and was holding her down. The dispatcher asked if they'd been fighting. Greg said he didn't know, but that he was, quote, concerned. Shortly after, a pair of Phoenix police officers arrived. They hopped the wall between the two houses into the feladers backyard. All the lights on the property were off, but what they could see stunned them. The 911 dispatch had alluded to a possible drowning. The officers had expected to perform rescue 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 that it looked like the scene of a shark attack. And that wasn't all. Officers also noticed a flashlight shining on the pool pump, which was surrounded by blood. As one officer pulled Yarmila out of the pool, another searched the premises. He went into the garage and found a blood stained t shirt hanging out of the trunk of the fellator's parked Volvo. When he opened the trunk, he saw a plastic container full of more blood soaked clothing, including jeans, socks and an undershirt. As well as a garbage bag with blood stained gloves and leather boots inside. And. And a hunting knife. It was clear that something gruesome had happened at the Felader home earlier that night. And back outside, his partner realized the same thing because Yarmila was covered in stab wounds. The officer checked for a pulse, but he couldn't find one. Yarmula was declared dead at the scene. The other officer returned outside. Now they had to find out what happened, which meant they had to find the woman's husband. That's when a light flickered on inside the house. Through a window, the officers saw Scott walking slowly down the stairs. His demeanor was odd, slow and measured. Not the typical body language of someone who had just killed their wife. The officer swiftly entered the home through a sliding glass door. Door which had been left ajar. Once inside, they noticed a pebble at the foot of the staircase. It looked just like the ones around the pool, and it was smeared with blood. Clearly, the killer had been inside the house, and the officers believed that person was walking right toward them. They pointed their guns at Scott and told him not to move. He had a blank expression on his face, which flashed to surprise and then. Then fear. Before he could do anything, the officers ordered him to the ground. Scott complied. At the same time, he asked the officers what was going on and why they were in his house. He seemed genuinely confused, which in turn puzzled the officers. They couldn't tell if they had the wrong man or if he was playing dumb. More importantly, they needed to know if anyone else was hurt. So they asked sky how many people were in the house. He told them there were four, including himself, his wife and their two children. Scott seemed to realize that a member of his family might be hurt. He begged the officers to make sure they were okay. He claimed that everyone should be in their bedrooms, but that he didn't know for sure because he'd been asleep since about 10 and just woke up.

[Dr. Tristan Ingalls]

So let's walk through what happened happens in the brain when someone is woken up from sleepwalking. When someone is sleepwalking, like I mentioned, they're in non rem sleep and there is a temporary disconnect where the brain is partially asleep in some areas and partially awake in others. As a result, when you attempt to awaken someone who is sleepwalking, typically they will experience confusion, disorientation, and then struggle to regain full consciousness. But why do some things wake them and others don't? It's about signal salience and the brain's gait. Very loud, novel or painful stimuli can't break through the gating and cause arousal. But low level sounds or soft touches could be filtered out.

[Vanessa Richardson]

This is so fascinating. I have a few questions first. Are there any risks associated with waking someone up while they're sleepwalking? And would there have been any way for officers to know that something odd was going on with Scott or any signs to back up his claim that he had no idea what was going on on?

[Dr. Tristan Ingalls]

Okay, so firstly, yes, waking someone during a sleepwalking episode can carry real risk. And the reason is the person is often, like I mentioned, confused and disoriented because the frontal systems that govern judgment are offline. That can provoke startle reactions, defensive aggression, attempts to flee, or even dangerous movements, shaking them or grabbing them and shouting at them can make that work. The officer's observations here, a blank stare, emotional blunting and a sudden surprised reaction, are consistent with a partial arousal from deep sleep. These are all things that can potentially back up the claims that he may have been sleepwalking at this time. But at the same time, his surprise turned to fearfulness when he realized the officers were in front of him. And that I find a little bit strange because I would expect to see more of a defensive reaction, potentially. Also, there is something quite odd about timing of it. Sleepwalking, as in getting into non rem sleep, usually occurs one to three hours after lights out, not 30 minutes. That alone doesn't prove deception, but it raises the possibility of an atypical trigger. Or an underlying condition like severe sleep, debt, stimulant or alcohol use, medications. Any of the other triggers his rather quick ability to reorient to his surroundings and then provide officers with information regarding who else is in the home and where is also seemingly atypical. It's not impossible, but it doesn't seem common to me.

[Vanessa Richardson]

To the officers, Scott's behavior was beyond strange. They were used to suspects being argumentative and defensive, but Scott seemed genuinely worried and confused. Still, with all signs pointing to him as his wife's killer. Scott was put in handcuffs and escorted out of the house through the back door. He still didn't know where his family was, but by now backup had arrived and he could see more police gathered near the pool. No one was telling him anything, and he felt groggy, like he was dreaming. Still, he could make out some of the officers hushed conversations. He pieced together that Yarmola was somewhere in the backyard and she was hurt. Soon he was at the station being led to an interrogation room. Scott knew something was seriously wrong, but it wasn't until he realized which unit was questioning him that panic set in. The sign above the door read Homicide. Scott Filator was under investigation for his wife's murder. His own neighbor claimed he'd witnessed Scott drowning her, and officers found a stash of bloody evidence at his home. But Scott seemed to have no idea what happened that night. The investigation into his, him and the trial that followed would breed more controversy and debate than any other crime like it, and to this day it continues to mystify and haunt people everywhere. Thanks so much for listening. We'll be back next time as we conclude our deep dive on Scott Filator.

[Dr. Tristan Ingalls]

Killer Minds is a Crime House Original Powered by Pave Studios Here at Crime House, we want to thank each and every one of you for your support. If you like what you heard today, reach out on all social media rimehouse and don't forget to rate, review and follow Killer Minds wherever you get your podcasts. Your feedback truly makes a difference and.

[Vanessa Richardson]

To enhance your listening experience, subscribe to Crime House plus on Apple Podcasts. You'll get every episode of Killer Minds ad free along with early access to each thrilling two part series and exciting bonus content. Killer Minds is hosted by me, Vanessa Richardson and Dr. Tristan Engels and is a Crime House original. Powered by by Pave Studios. This episode was brought to life by the Killer Minds team. Max Cutler, Ron Shapiro, Alex Benedon, Lori Marinelli, Natalie Pertovsky, Sarah Camp, Emma Lehman, Sarah Tardif and Carrie Murphy. Thank you for listening. Twisted Tales with Heidi Wong is perfect for spooky season. Dive into the real events by behind the World's Most Terrifying Blockbusters and beyond. Twisted Tales is a Crime House original. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes out every Monday.