Lady, Stay Dead

Mason, a handyman at the Rocky Beach Motel, begins spying on Marie Coleby. That same day, as she packs to drive to the airport to fetch her sister Jenny, Mason invades her space, plays one of her songs on the radio, and rapes her.

Marie bites him and calls him an animal, and Mason drowns her in the fish tank. He then tries to hide her body in a garbage bag.

While disposing of Marie, his neighbor Billy Sheperd interrupts and is killed by Mason. Mason also poisons Billy's dog.

Jenny is driven home from the airport and finds the house empty. She later notices Marie's jewels in the fish tank and finds Billy's dog floating in the water at the beach.

She makes several phone calls to locate Marie and Billy but gets no answers. When she meets Mason, his familiarity with the house makes her suspect him.

At sundown, Jenny discovers a muddy footprint on the carpet, a sign that someone intruded and attempted to clean up the scene. The clue confirms Mason's involvement.

Jenny runs to Billy's house to seek help and uncovers Billy's body hidden in his garden shed. The discovery deepens the danger she faces.

Back at the Rocky Beach Motel, Jenny finds Mason waiting with presents for her. He cuts the phone wire to stop any calls and taunts her, whistling 'Loving from a Distance'.

Two policemen arrive: Officer Clyde Collings and Patrolman Rex 'Pops' Dunbar. Mason shoots Pops with a shotgun, killing him, and Collings begins to piece together Mason's violent history.

Collings explains that Mason has a history of raping other women who didn't press charges, and urges Jenny to run for the highway as Mason won't be seen in the dark. Jenny hesitates when she discovers Marie's body in the yard.

Collings chases Mason and they fight in the motel's swimming pool area. Collings manages to drown Mason, seemingly ending the immediate threat.

Mason unexpectedly survives the drowning and retaliates by killing Collings in a brutal act. He then pursues Jenny.

Mason corners Jenny and begins to strangle her, but he is momentarily distracted by visions of Marie. A passing motorcyclist hits him, flinging him into Collings' car.

A patrol car arrives and officers find Jenny lying on the road. One officer inspects Collings' car and shoots Mason, ending the pursuit.