Worst Roommate Ever S2 E2: The Housemate from Hell - True Crime Obsessed

The Case of Anita Cohen and Scott Pettigrew

• 💔 The episode details the tragic story of Anita Cohen, a retiree in Cathedral City, California, who was found murdered in her pool.
• 🏠 Anita, who cherished her home, rented out a room to make ends meet, using Craigslist to find tenants.
• 🚨 Police were called for a welfare check after Anita's family couldn't reach her, discovering her severely beaten body.

Daryl: The Good Roommate

• 🐈 Daryl, Anita's longest-term roommate, moved in under difficult circumstances and was respectful, paying rent on time and keeping to himself with his cats.
• 🔪 Despite his quiet nature, Daryl was observed practicing with a switchblade, which was seen as peculiar but not malicious.
• ⚠️ Daryl became a target for Scott Pettigrew, who moved in later and manipulated Anita into believing Daryl was a threat, leading to Daryl being wrongfully arrested on felony charges.

Scott Pettigrew: The Manipulator

• ⚖️ Scott Pettigrew, a lawyer by profession, moved in with Anita and quickly began a campaign of manipulation and gaslighting against Daryl.
• 😈 Scott stole items, blamed Daryl, and convinced Anita that Daryl was filming him in the bathroom, escalating tensions.
• 💔 Scott's manipulative behavior also extended to a previous roommate, Julie Russell, where he exhibited similar patterns of erratic behavior, theft, and psychological abuse.

Escalation and Tragedy

• 🔒 Scott's manipulation of Anita intensified, leading to Daryl being locked out of the house and falsely accused of senior abuse and property damage, resulting in his arrest.
• 🏠 Anita eventually realized Scott's true nature and began to fear for her life, barricading herself in her bedroom.
• 🔪 On June 14, 2016, after Scott was served with a restraining order, he escalated his violence, leading to Anita's murder, which she tragically recorded.

Aftermath and Justice

• 🎤 Anita's murder was captured on a digital recorder, providing crucial evidence against Scott.
• ⚖️ Scott Pettigrew was convicted of first-degree murder, elder abuse, and violating a protective order, receiving a sentence of 25 years to life.
• 😔 The episode highlights the dangers of renting rooms without thorough vetting and the devastating consequences of manipulation and abuse.