Arlene Bynon

John's network, BCTV, naturally had blanket coverage.

John's network, BCTV, naturally had blanket coverage.

For the first time, the RCMP confirmed they were looking at only one man. One suspect in all the cases.

For the first time, the RCMP confirmed they were looking at only one man. One suspect in all the cases.

What the police weren't divulging was that their case on Olson was weak. Other than Judy's name in a notebook found in the car, the RCMP had very little physical evidence to tie him to all the murders. If Olson walked again, it would be a grave humiliation. The Mounties and prosecutors could forge ahead with what they had on Olson for Judy's murder, with maybe a slim chance of conviction.

What the police weren't divulging was that their case on Olson was weak. Other than Judy's name in a notebook found in the car, the RCMP had very little physical evidence to tie him to all the murders. If Olson walked again, it would be a grave humiliation. The Mounties and prosecutors could forge ahead with what they had on Olson for Judy's murder, with maybe a slim chance of conviction.

Or they could keep and press Olson for as long and as far as the law would allow, to see if he would break. But in my opinion, they were on the back foot. Later, Peter and I pored over the interrogation transcripts. Olsen is combative, snapping back at Corporal Fred Maley as accusations mount. You've got your ass up against the wall, Maley tells Olsen.

Or they could keep and press Olson for as long and as far as the law would allow, to see if he would break. But in my opinion, they were on the back foot. Later, Peter and I pored over the interrogation transcripts. Olsen is combative, snapping back at Corporal Fred Maley as accusations mount. You've got your ass up against the wall, Maley tells Olsen.

Olsen denies and dismisses, but you can tell that he knows. This time, he might be caught for good. It's also clear that the investigators didn't really employ any special tactics in dealing with a psychopathic serial killer. They were talking to him like he'd robbed a bank, which makes sense given the time. South of the border, there was a gush of research on serial killers.

Olsen denies and dismisses, but you can tell that he knows. This time, he might be caught for good. It's also clear that the investigators didn't really employ any special tactics in dealing with a psychopathic serial killer. They were talking to him like he'd robbed a bank, which makes sense given the time. South of the border, there was a gush of research on serial killers.

The FBI's Behavioral Science Unit had recently completed their database of serial offenders. But this new science of profiling probably hadn't made it yet to the B.C. detachments of the RCMP. Apart from the number of victims, 11 confirmed, the Mounties didn't appear to approach Olson much differently from a garden-variety criminal.

The FBI's Behavioral Science Unit had recently completed their database of serial offenders. But this new science of profiling probably hadn't made it yet to the B.C. detachments of the RCMP. Apart from the number of victims, 11 confirmed, the Mounties didn't appear to approach Olson much differently from a garden-variety criminal.

Olson confounded these investigators, but in the end, it was Olson who gave them an avenue out.

Olson confounded these investigators, but in the end, it was Olson who gave them an avenue out.

This is what he proposed. The RCMP would pay Olson $30,000 for evidence on the four bodies they'd found before his arrest. And for each murder scene he identified, or body he could help them locate, he would receive an additional $10,000. A full confession was a given.

This is what he proposed. The RCMP would pay Olson $30,000 for evidence on the four bodies they'd found before his arrest. And for each murder scene he identified, or body he could help them locate, he would receive an additional $10,000. A full confession was a given.

Someone who was consulted, to my shock, was reporter John Daly.

Someone who was consulted, to my shock, was reporter John Daly.

With the approval of the province's attorney general, the cash for bodies deal came to be. The money was to be put in a trust for his wife Joan and baby son. But the way he'd talk about the deal with me during our phone calls, Olson saw the deal as a triumph for himself. Only himself.

With the approval of the province's attorney general, the cash for bodies deal came to be. The money was to be put in a trust for his wife Joan and baby son. But the way he'd talk about the deal with me during our phone calls, Olson saw the deal as a triumph for himself. Only himself.