The Night Stalker

A series of brutal murders grips the Las Vegas Strip as several victims are found drained of blood. Eyewitness reports describe a predatory pattern and a sense that something supernatural is at work. Veteran reporter Carl Kolchak, recently fired for his tenacious methods, begins to connect the dots and suspect a vampire may be responsible.

Kolchak has been fired from newspapers across the country for his relentless, unorthodox approach. His managing editor Tony Vincenzo refuses to run the story without solid proof and fears panic and damage to the paper's reputation. The newsroom atmosphere is tense as they debate how to handle the vampire angle.

A would-be thief targets the hospital's blood supply, but is shot multiple times with no apparent effect and escapes. He outruns a police car and motorcycle, reinforcing the sense that the crime is beyond ordinary explanation. The incident heightens investigators' belief that something supernatural is involved.

Eyewitness testimony leads police to identify Janos Skorzeny, a 70-year-old with a long history of killings tied to massive blood loss. Skorzeny becomes the prime suspect in a string of murders that stretch back years. The mounting evidence pushes Kolchak toward the vampire theory.

Gail Foster, Kolchak's girlfriend, urges him to explore vampire lore as a possible explanation. She senses that conventional police work won't uncover the truth. Her push nudges Kolchak toward a vampire-centric approach to the case.

Following his investigation, Kolchak becomes convinced that Skorzeny is a real vampire. He photographs incriminating evidence—stolen blood packets, a coffin with native soil, and a bound victim connected to an IV line—at Skorzeny's lair. The mounting evidence drives him to push forward despite official caution.

Authorities strike a deal with Kolchak, promising exclusive rights to the story if he abandons traditional investigative methods. They warn that public panic and reputational damage must be avoided. Kolchak accepts the arrangement to pursue the vampire lead unimpeded, at least for the moment.

Acting on a tip, Kolchak locates Skorzeny's safe house and pursues the story on his own, seeking unfettered access to the evidence. He confronts Skorzeny and is wrestled to the floor when the vampire returns. The confrontation escalates quickly as dawn approaches.

FBI Agent Bernie Jenks arrives to assist Kolchak in the fight. Realizing that dawn has broken, they pull back the shades and stake Skorzeny just as authorities burst through the door. The immediate threat is neutralized, but the case remains fragile in the public record.

Kolchak writes the story for the newspaper and proposes to Gail, dreaming of a future together in New York City. He envisions a new life beyond Las Vegas, even as the case closes in on official acknowledgment. The personal and professional arcs briefly intersect as a small victory is claimed.

The authorities publish a false version of the newspaper story with Skorzeny's byline and warn Kolchak to leave town quietly. The sanitized report avoids naming the suspect as a vampire and downplays the extraordinary elements. Kolchak's credibility is publicly compromised even as he clings to the truth privately.

Gail has already been forced to leave Las Vegas for being an undesirable element. Kolchak spends his savings placing personal ads across the country in a futile attempt to locate her. He clings to hope while the case recedes into rumor and the city moves on.

Kolchak listens to a replay of his dictation and explains that verifying the events is impossible because witnesses have left town, are not talking, or are dead. Skorzeny and all of his victims have been cremated, destroying any possibility that the victims might rise as vampires. The truth dies with them, leaving Kolchak with a story that cannot be conclusively proven.