Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka seemed like the perfect couple. The media dubbed them “Barbie & Ken” because of their model-family appearance, but behind that mask of perfection hid an abuser, serial killer, and an accomplice who was his own wife. Together, they attacked and killed 19 women in Canada during the 1980s.
Bernardo approached women returning from their studies to commit horrible acts. Karla knew about the attacks in advance and supported her husband’s actions. The couple enjoyed committing these acts together, and they even filmed their brutal crimes on videotapes that were later played during the trial.
The couple’s downfall began when Karla left the home after being abused by Bernardo. She pleaded guilty to manslaughter in exchange for helping to clarify the crimes, which made it possible to capture Bernardo. He is serving a life sentence, while Karla was released in 2005 and remarried.
