The Night Strangler

Kolchak is tasked by editor Tony Vincenzo to investigate a string of killings where exotic dancers are strangled. The coroner’s report notes crushed necks, a small amount of blood drained, and traces of rotting flesh, suggesting something beyond human capability. The case unfolds in present-day Seattle, setting the investigative tone for the story.

Kolchak enlists researcher Titus Berry, who uncovers a 1952 case and an even earlier 1931 killing that resemble the current spree. The authorities refuse to disclose crucial information, hampering cross‑case connections. Berry begins linking the murders across decades to reveal a pattern.

They learn that similar killings have occurred every 21 years since 1889, with each cycle spanning about 18 days. Kolchak concludes the killer drinks blood to brew an elixir of life, allowing him to survive another 21-year cycle. The pattern stretches across decades, hinting at something supernatural rather than purely human.

Berry’s research includes an interview with Mark Twain that points toward Dr. Richard Malcolm, a Civil War surgeon tied to Seattle’s Westside Mercy Hospital. Malcolm claims to have found immortality through blood, tying the killer’s myth to his own experiments. The clue anchors the mystery in Seattle’s medical history.

Kolchak visits the clinic site on the old hospital grounds and discovers a painting of the founder, Dr. Malcolm Richards, who bears a striking resemblance to the living Richard Malcolm. He arranges to meet Berry there and alters the painting to emphasize the resemblance. The police are skeptical and Kolchak is arrested for trespassing.

Under pressure, Kolchak and Berry convince the police and Vincenzo that the killer’s immortality is real and that another murder is imminent. The authorities reluctantly concede that Kolchak may be onto something, and the investigation gains urgency. Kolchak grows more determined as the case becomes personal.

Kolchak enlists Louise Harper, a psychology student who works as an exotic dancer, to help stop the killer before the elixir completes its 21-year cycle. Louise brings a fresh perspective and becomes a crucial ally in tracking the killer’s patterns. Together they intensify the effort to prevent the next murder.

In the Seattle Underground beneath the old clinic, Kolchak uncovers the preserved ruins of Westside Mercy Hospital and sends Louise to summon the police. He locates the latest victim, an old tramp he had seen earlier during a tour. The discovery confirms the killer’s presence in Seattle’s hidden spaces.

Malcolm admits he first tried the elixir in 1868 and hoped to spread immortality, but aging began in 1889 after his family died in the Seattle Fire. He claims to be refining the process, yet Kolchak suspects the cycle will continue indefinitely. The confession reframes the mystery as a struggle between ambition and mortality.

Kolchak smashes the elixir beaker, breaking the killer’s promised longevity. Malcolm lunges to strangle him, but without the elixir he ages rapidly to 147 years, his hands cramping in old age. Police burst in and witness Malcolm’s dramatic fall resulting in his suicide.

The police arrive just as Malcolm leaps through a high window to end his life. The supernatural interpretation of the killings remains contested, even as the immediate threat is neutralized. Kolchak’s insistence on a larger truth clashes with official accounts.

Vincenzo edits Kolchak’s report to remove any supernatural claims, presenting a straightforward killer case with an unknown identity. Kolchak protests, arguing that the truth about immortality deserves disclosure. The newsroom struggle highlights tensions between sensationalism and official secrecy.

Vincenzo is fired and Louise is expelled to suppress the extraordinary story. Kolchak, unemployed and defiant, exits in a fury and refuses to back down. He drives with Louise and the former editor toward New York City to pursue the Night Strangler further.

The trio leaves Seattle behind and heads toward New York City to continue chasing the elusive killer. The journey marks a new chapter where Kolchak intends to expose the truth beyond local silencing. The chase evolves from Seattle’s shadows to a national stage.