**The Friday the 13th Murders Returns with Episode 5, “I Will Kill”**

The Friday the 13th Murders arrives with its fifth episode, titled *I Will Kill*, revisiting two linked cases that shook San Diego County: the disappearances of Amber Dubois and Chelsea King. Set to air on October 29, this episode delves into how these two tragic disappearances, occurring just a year apart, led investigators to the same offender and ultimately to a plea deal that closed the door on a trial.

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### Two Disappearances, One Terrifying Connection

Both Amber Dubois and Chelsea King vanished under everyday circumstances. Amber, 14, disappeared on February 13, 2009, while walking toward Escondido High School. Chelsea, 17, went missing on February 25, 2010, during an afternoon run near Lake Hodges in Rancho Bernardo. Though occurring one year apart, these cases soon revealed a chilling link.

A survivor of a later attack on a nearby trail provided crucial details that expanded the investigation and intensified the search for answers. The episode spotlights the urgency, evidence, and difficult choices investigators faced under heavy pressure.

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### Case Timeline: Key Developments Around San Diego

After Chelsea’s disappearance, the discovery of her clothing near a running path triggered lab work and led to a DNA match. Within days, detectives focused on John Albert Gardner III—a registered sex offender with prior prison time and parole violations.

Gardner had been under GPS monitoring but had reportedly violated parole multiple times, raising serious questions about oversight and alert systems. Just five days after Chelsea went missing, search crews found her body in a shallow grave near Lake Hodges.

During this critical period, tips and records began to link Gardner to previous incidents in the area. Investigators then revisited Amber’s case, which had stalled for over a year. As plea negotiations unfolded, detectives pushed to uncover the full truth for both victims.

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### The Survivor’s Role: A Pivotal Breakthrough

In December 2009, a woman survived a brutal assault while jogging near the same park. Her ability to fight back and escape provided law enforcement with a living witness who could describe the attacker’s approach, behavior, and the exact location.

Her testimony, combined with DNA evidence, helped tighten the investigative net around the suspect. The episode uses her account to explain how Amber’s and Chelsea’s cases gradually merged, prompting increased patrols of trails, parking areas, and access roads near Lake Hodges. This intensified vigilance ultimately led to Gardner’s arrest in Chelsea’s case and reignited Amber’s investigation.

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### Plea, Sentences, and Policy Reforms

In April 2010, Gardner pleaded guilty to the murders of Amber Dubois and Chelsea King, as well as to the attempted rape of the jogger survivor. This plea avoided a death penalty trial and included disclosures about Amber’s remains, which were found near the Pala area in March 2010 after an exhaustive search spanning more than a year.

Gardner received consecutive life sentences without parole in May 2010, following emotional impact statements from the victims’ families in court.

The tragic cases also prompted legislative changes. Later that year, **Chelsea’s Law** was enacted, enforcing harsher penalties on serious sex offenses against children and imposing stricter park restrictions on high-risk parolees. Families advocated for improved alert systems, faster background checks, and more rigorous monitoring of GPS movement for offenders, aiming to prevent future tragedies.

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### What to Expect in Episode 5: I Will Kill

Episode 5 of *The Friday the 13th Murders*, titled *I Will Kill*, outlines the connection between Amber’s disappearance and Chelsea’s murder a year later.

The episode traces the collection of evidence, the survivor’s impactful testimony, Gardner’s arrest, and the plea bargaining process. It also highlights the emotional toll on family members—those who searched tirelessly, rallied volunteers, and ultimately faced the courtroom.

Viewers will see how investigators navigated critical decisions following the DNA match, weighing the difficult tradeoffs that come with plea deals in high-profile cases. The show carefully distinguishes between established facts and elements that remain open questions, using terms like “reportedly” and “allegedly” where appropriate.

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For more chilling crime stories, also check out:
– [All the Heinous Killings Committed by Kenneth Glenn Milner](#)
– [5 Chilling Details About the José Herran Case as Shown in The Friday the 13th Murders Season 1 Episode 4](#)
– [The Friday the 13th Murders Season 1 Episode 1 Recap](#)

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Stay tuned for Episode 5 of *The Friday the 13th Murders* as it unveils the haunting story behind these twin tragedies that forever changed San Diego County.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/us/shows/amber-dubois-chelsea-king-case-a-detailed-case-overview-ahead-the-friday-13th-murders-episode-5