Netflix’s Worst Roommate Ever has captured the attention of true crime enthusiasts, living up to its unsettling title. Among the various gripping stories presented, the episode featuring Tammy Fritz stands out for its shocking revelations. This docuseries delves into real-life accounts of roommate relationships that devolve into nightmares filled with malice and violence. Premiering in 2022, it quickly became a standout in Netflix’s acclaimed collection of true crime shows, achieving an impressive 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Notorious Encounters on Worst Roommate Ever
The series showcases several harrowing confrontations, including the cases of K. C. Joy and Jamison Bachman. However, the chilling narrative involving Tammy Fritz and James Bowden, featured in Season 2, Episode 3 titled “Burning Down the House,”offers a particularly unsettling account. Though their relationship was not romantic, the bond they shared resembled that of siblings, amplifying the horror of their story. Their paths intertwined in Fort Carson, Colorado, when James befriended Tammy’s husband, Rich, igniting a sequence of tragic events.
Tammy Fritz’s Background
A Suspicious Death
Tragedy struck in 2001 when Rich Fritz, Tammy’s husband, passed away at the young age of 28 under suspicious circumstances. His health was generally stable, which raised eyebrows regarding the nature of his death. Despite Rich’s wishes for burial, Tammy insisted on cremation, adding to the suspicion surrounding her actions. Following his death, she collected $150,000 in military benefits and had taken out a life insurance policy just weeks prior, casting further doubt on her involvement, although she has never been implicated due to insufficient evidence (Movieweb).
In the aftermath, Tammy and her young son, Christian, found themselves isolated and struggling. James Bowden, feeling a deep connection to Rich, decided to leave the military and accept Tammy’s offer for a place to stay during this tumultuous time.
The Fallout Between Tammy Fritz and James Bowden
Growing Suspicion
In December 2001, James Bowden moved into Tammy’s home, developing a familial relationship, especially with her son, Christian. James played an essential role as a father figure to Christian, further intertwining their lives.
However, their relationship took a dark turn following a night out where James became unusually intoxicated. When he awoke the next morning, he found himself unable to move. After receiving inconclusive medical tests, his suspicions of Tammy grew, prompting him to move out by February 2006 (Distractify).
Was There an Attempted Murder?
Conspiracy and Execution
By 2009, Tammy’s life spiraled as she struggled with heavy drug use and had previous legal issues, including identity theft and fraud allegations. Around this time, James was preparing to return to Alaska, leading to Tammy’s invitation for one final gathering before his departure, which included two of her friends, Michelle Kay Heaston and Sean Richard Lagoe.
Concerned for James’s well-being after hearing from him, his mother enlisted the help of the property’s manager to check on him. Tragically, they discovered James unconscious in his residence. It later emerged that Tammy’s friends had allegedly entered his home and assaulted him with baseball bats.
In a shocking confession, Fritz admitted to planning the attack on Bowden, revealing that she had obtained a life insurance policy on him in 2005 with the intention of securing a payout from his demise (Denver Gazette).
Tammy Fritz Today
Behind Bars
In May 2015, Tammy Fritz was sentenced to 48 years in prison, convicted of several charges, including attempted first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Her accomplices, Heaston and Lagoe, accepted plea deals, receiving 15 and 26 years, respectively, for their involvement in the crime (The Cinemaholic).
Reflecting on the bond he once shared with Bowden, Christian acknowledged him as “the closest thing I felt like I had to my dad.”Despite limited contact with his mother in prison, Christian keeps a distance, focusing on his own family. Nevertheless, he maintains a close relationship with Bowden, emphasizing their enduring connection amidst the chaos of their shared history. Currently, Tammy is serving her sentence at the Denver Women’s Correctional Facility.
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