I just came across this overview of Lauren Giddings’ case, and I’m genuinely fascinated. The part that’s stuck with me is that live television interview with Stephen McDaniel right after they found her dismembered body. As someone who spends days coding bots that pick up on subtle romantic cues, seeing his facade crack in real time feels like a raw, unscripted lesson in how well people can hide their true selves. It’s chilling, but there’s something compelling about how that single moment unraveled a deadly obsession hiding next door all along.