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Steven Pladl’s shocking crimes are now exposed in chilling detail through a Netflix documentary now streaming. The case reveals how a biological father manipulated and murdered his own daughter after a twisted incestuous relationship that shocked the nation.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Documentary Title: “Husband, Father, Killer: The Alyssa Pladl Story” released March 18, 2026
- Crime Timeline: Steven Pladl murdered 3 people in April 2018, including his biological daughter Katie
- Victims: Katie Rose Fusco (20), Anthony Fusco (56), and Bennett Pladl (7 months old)
- The Disturbing Secret: Steven groomed and married his own daughter after she reconnected with him at age 18
How a 15-Year-Old Girl Was Manipulated by Her Biological Father
In 1995, Steven Pladl met Alyssa Garcia, who was just 15 years old, over the internet. He was 20 years old and living on Long Island, New York. Steven traveled to San Antonio, Texas to meet Alyssa, and she soon ran away with him. Within two years, she gave birth to a daughter named Denise Pladl at age 17.
Alyssa witnessed unspeakable abuse. Steven would pinch the 8-month-old infant until she was “black and blue” and even stuffed her in a cooler near-suffocation. Terrified for her child’s life, Alyssa gave up her daughter for adoption to save her. The adoptive parents, Kelly and Anthony Fusco, renamed her Katie Rose Fusco.
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A Joyful Reunion That Became a Nightmare
Eighteen years later, in August 2016, Katie reached out to her biological parents on Facebook. She was now an adult preparing to study online advertising in college. The reunion felt joyful, and Katie moved in with Steven and Alyssa, who were going through a divorce. What followed was a calculated grooming campaign by Steven.
Over several months, Steven slowly isolated and manipulated Katie. He would sleep on the floor of her bedroom, crossing every boundary. When Alyssa confronted him, he dismissed her concerns. By May 2017, Alyssa discovered the horrifying truth in a family journal: Steven and Katie were sexually involved, and Katie was pregnant.
The Incest Case That Shocked the World
| Event | Date |
| Katie and Steven moved to North Carolina | 2016-2017 |
| Bennett (their son) born | September 1, 2017 |
| Katie and Steven arrested for incest | January 2018 |
| Murder of Bennett, Katie, and Anthony | April 11-12, 2018 |
On July 20, 2017, Steven and Katie got married in Maryland, lying on their marriage documents that they were not related. By then, Katie was pregnant with their son, Bennett, who was born on September 1, 2017. By January 2018, authorities arrested both for incest, adultery, and other charges. The case received international media attention.
“Steven began noticing Steven’s increasingly disturbing behavior toward Denise, causing the child physical harm. Out of fear for Denise’s safety, Alyssa gave the infant up for adoption.”
— Netflix Tudum, “Husband, Father, Killer: The Alyssa Pladl Story”
The Tragic Murder-Suicide That Ended It All
When Katie moved back with her adoptive parents after being released on bond, she told Steven she no longer wanted their relationship. Enraged, Steven’s rage turned deadly. On April 11, 2018, he suffocated his 7-month-old son Bennett at his Knightdale, North Carolina home. The next day, April 12, 2018, he tracked down Katie and her adoptive father Anthony Fusco as they drove through Connecticut.
Using an AR-15 rifle, Steven executed both at a stop sign. He then called his mother to confess before shooting himself in his van. The triple murder-suicide claimed 4 lives total. Steven Pladl was 43 years old at the time he took his own life.
Why Does the Netflix Documentary Matter Today?
“Husband, Father, Killer: The Alyssa Pladl Story” stars Jackie Cruz (“Orange Is the New Black”) as Alyssa and Matthew MacCaull as Steven. Director Elisabeth Röhm brings this true crime case to life with maximum emotional impact. The documentary exposes how warning signs were ignored, how Steven’s abusive past was dismissed, and how a family court system failed to protect Katie.
Alyssa Pladl gave interviews in 2018 to raise awareness about incest crimes and family court failures. The documentary honors her bravery and the memory of Katie, Anthony, and Bennett. This case changed how experts view grooming, abuse, and court safety protocols.
Sources
- Netflix Tudum – Official article on Steven Pladl and the Netflix documentary
- Wikipedia – Comprehensive overview of the Pladl incest and murders case from 2018
- People Magazine – Coverage of the true crime story and victims’ families
