The Sleepwalker Murder with Murder: True Crime Stories

Summary

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Episode Overview

Title: The Sleepwalker Murder with Murder: True Crime Stories
Date: March 16, 2026
Host: Payne Lindsey (Up and Vanished), featuring Carter Roy (Murder: True Crime Stories)
Focus: A chilling discussion of the 1997 murder of Yarmilia Faleiter by her husband, Scott Faleiter, who claimed he committed the shocking crime while sleepwalking. The episode delves into the perplexing boundary between memory, accountability, science, and law in one of the U.S.'s most controversial murder trials.

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Main Theme

The episode centers on the haunting "Sleepwalker Murder" case—questioning whether someone can commit murder in their sleep, and what responsibility, if any, they bear. Payne Lindsey and Carter Roy analyze the disturbing details, psychological elements, and the broader implications for justice and human nature.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

Introduction to the Case (00:08–01:00)

• Payne Lindsey introduces the case on Carter Roy’s podcast, describing it as "one of the most unsettling cases I’ve ever heard of."

• Yarmilia Faleiter was murdered in 1997—brutally stabbed 44 times by her husband, Scott, who insists he was asleep during the act.

• A neighbor witnessed the attack; forensic evidence included "a swimming pool full of blood."

• Central question: Can a person murder while unconscious, and what does that mean for responsibility and justice?

  "[Scott] insists that he was asleep when he did it... a defense that asks a terrifying question: Can someone commit a murder without ever waking up?"
  —Payne Lindsey [00:13]

The Crime’s Details (01:07–02:09)

• Carter Roy sets the scene:

  "44 stab wounds, a swimming pool full of blood, a witness who saw it all happen, and a man who had no idea he'd just become a killer. Memory can be tricky like that."
  —Carter Roy [01:07]

• The segment explores the unreliability of memory, drawing parallels between everyday forgetfulness and the horror Scott experienced upon learning he killed his wife.

• The moment Scott was confronted with his alleged actions—woken with the news that he was the killer.

  "For Scott Filleder, they were horrifying. One night in 1997, Scott's life was shattered when he learned that his wife... was brutally murdered. Scott said he was fast asleep when it happened."
  —Carter Roy [01:27]

The Psychological and Legal Complexity (02:09–03:12)

• Carter Roy reflects on how people's stories often have unexpected, tragic endings and how this case exemplifies that uncertainty.
• Payne Lindsey discusses why this story is so compelling.

  "This is definitely a case that sticks with me personally, because it's just weird."
  —Payne Lindsey [03:12]

• Exploration of the intersection between the conscious mind, psychology, and crime:

  "Scott's story shows how complex our minds really are. It makes us question how well we really know ourselves."
  —Payne Lindsey [03:23]

• The trial became a national spectacle due to the defense's unusual premise and the challenge it posed to both jurors and the public in understanding, and possibly believing, Scott’s lack of conscious intent.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "A neighbor watching from across the street, and a defense that asks a terrifying question. Can someone commit a murder without ever waking up?"
  —Payne Lindsey [00:19]
• "Memory can be tricky like that. We've all been in a situation where we completely forget something we've done... But for Scott Filleder, they were horrifying."
  —Carter Roy [01:13]
• "Scott had no idea what happened until he was in handcuffs."
  —Payne Lindsey [03:19]
• "What followed was one of the most controversial trials in US History, and and I can see why."
  —Payne Lindsey [03:20]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:08: Payne Lindsey introduces the "Sleepwalker Murder" and sets up the premise for the case.
• 01:07: Carter Roy recounts the night of the crime—a vivid summary of the brutality and apparent amnesia.
• 02:09: Philosophical reflections on stories, memory, and tragic endings.
• 03:12: Payne explains why the case is personally memorable and unsettling.
• 03:19: The case’s impact on the American legal system and public imagination.

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Overall Tone and Conclusions

The episode is haunting, introspective, and analytical—moving from chilling crime details through psychological and philosophical reflection. Both hosts highlight the unique strangeness of the case, how it blurs lines between sleep and intent, and how it still resonates as an unsolved moral puzzle.

Listeners are left with lingering questions about the human mind, legal responsibility, and how much we can ever know about ourselves or others.

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For More

For the full story and deeper conversation, listeners are encouraged to check out the full episode of Murder: True Crime Stories featuring Payne Lindsey, as noted in the podcast’s conclusion.

Transcript

[A]

You're listening to a Tenderfoot TV podcast.

[B]

Hey, guys. Payne here. I want to share something with you a little different. It's honestly one of the most unsettling cases I've ever heard of. Recently, I joined Carter Roy on Murder True Crime Stories to talk about the 1997 killing of Yarmilia Falator. She was brutally murdered by her husband, Scott Filleder, but he insists that he was asleep when he did it. There were 44 stab wounds, a neighbor watching from across the street, and a defense that asks a terrifying question. Can someone commit a murder without ever waking up? And what does that even mean? This case is one that toes the line between science, psychology, and accountability. And whether or not the jury got it right. Here's a preview of the episode.

[A]

This is crime house.

[B]

44 stab wounds, a swimming pool full of blood, a witness who saw it all happen, and a man who had no idea he'd just become a killer. Memory can be tricky like that. We've all been in a situation where we completely forget something we've done. Maybe your parents told an embarrassing childhood story you don't remember, or your friends had to fill you in after too many drinks. For the most part, these realizations are harmless, sometimes funny even. But for Scott Filleder, they were horrifying. One night in 1997, Scott's 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 actually did it. Welcome to the Sleepwalker murder.

[A]

People's lives are like a story. There's a beginning, a middle, and an end. But you don't always know which part you're on. Sometimes the final chapter arrives far too soon. And we don't always get to know the real ending. I'm Carter Roy, and this is True Crime Stories, a crime House original powered by Pave Studios. And today, I'm joined by Payne Lindsay, the host of the up and Vanished podcast.

[B]

Thanks for having me, man. Yeah.

[A]

So glad you're here. And now, before we dive in, make sure to go and follow up and Vanished, if you haven't already. Every season, if you Payne covers a different cold case. His coverage has led to some remarkable results and put an important spotlight on stories that need to be told. Trust me, you do not want to miss it. Today, Payne is going to introduce the case we're covering and explain why it's one he hasn't been able to get out of his head. Then be sure to stick around at the end as we sit down for an extended conversation about these shocking events.

[B]

Yeah, this is definitely a case that sticks with me personally, because it's just weird. Today, Carter's going to tell you all about Scott Fileter, also known as the sleepwalker murderer. In 1997, Scott's world came crashing down when his wife was found dead in their backyard. She'd been drowned and stabbed repeatedly. Scott had no idea what happened until he was in handcuffs. What followed was one of the most controversial trials in US History, and and I can see why. Scott's story shows how complex our minds really are. It makes us question how well we really know ourselves. All that and more coming up. To hear the full episode, search True Crime stories on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts and make sure to follow the show.