‘Dream Killer’: ID Revisits Horrified Tale Of Ryan Ferguson Who Was Wrongfully Convicted Of Murdering Kent Heitholt, Based On A Dream


Dream Killer, a brand new film that falls under the ID Films umbrella, will make its debut this Sunday on Investigation Discovery. Dream Killer tells the story of Ryan Ferguson, who was wrongfully convicted of the murder of sports editor, Kent Heitholt. The shocking and controversial case has been in the spotlight because Ryan Ferguson was convicted based on a dream. ID’s Dream Killer takes a disturbing look at the frightening reality of the justice system and is flawed nature. It will make each ID viewer question just how many other people are wrongfully imprisoned.

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A Dead Body In The Parking Lot

Police were summoned to a scene at the Columbia Daily Tribune in Missouri, where they found the body of a deceased male. The man was identified as 48-year-old Kent Heitholt, a husband and father of two children. The man had been beaten about the head and his pockets had been rummaged through, making it look like a robbery. An autopsy concluded that the victim had also been strangled.

Detectives learned that Kent Heitholt had left the Columbia Daily Tribune building, where he worked as a sports editor with a friend. They headed to the parking lot and got into their cars. At some point, Kent Heitholt exited his vehicle to feed a cat that was known to hang around the building, the Investigation Discovery documentary film will reveal.

It was then that at least two people came out of nowhere and savagely attacked the Heitholt. Witnesses say they saw two suspects but were unable to identify them.

Eventually, detectives received a tip about Charles “Chuck” Erickson, who claimed not to remember exactly what happened but stated that he believed that he was involved. Later, he would claim that he witnessed the whole murder in his dream, according to the Columbia Tribune. In addition to implicating himself, he also said that his friend, 17-year-old Ryan Ferguson, was with him. The two youths were arrested.

Ryan Ferguson, who was convicted and sentenced to 40 years in prison in 2005, has always vehemently denied having anything to do with the murder. His father, Bill Ferguson, believed in his son’s innocence and worked feverishly to free him.

ID’s Dream Killer will show that Bill Ferguson got his wish in 2013 after his son’s sentence and conviction were thrown out. What Ryan Ferguson finds astonishing is that he didn’t believe that it was possible to convict anyone based on a dream. Ryan spent 10 years in prison knowing that he did not commit the murder.

While Ryan Ferguson experienced the bitter and harsh life of prison, he learned how to make the best of his circumstances. In an interview with Delmarva Life, Ryan discussed his book, Stronger, Faster, Smarter: A Guide to Your Most Powerful Body, a book that he believes will help others learn how to equip themselves mentally and physically to face life’s challenges, despite the situation.

On the new feature expect to see the following people discussing the case, according to ID’s press release.

“Hear from Ryan’s high-powered Chicago attorney Kathleen Zellner – now in the spotlight as Stephen Avery’s new defense attorney; the questionable District Attorney-turned-Judge Kevin Crane; Chuck Erickson, who not only confesses to a murder based on a dream but also charges that his former classmate and friend, Ryan, was his co-conspirator; and Bill Ferguson, who is not only a father but a best friend to Ryan as he uses his relentless investigation skills and outlandish creativity to give his son a shot at freedom.”

Dream Killer, which airs this Sunday, August 14, at 7 p.m., is produced and directed by Andrew Jenks with Daniel Zinn and Brendan Crane on board as executive producers. Recently, the case of Richard Rosario, who was also wrongfully convicted and spent two decades in prison for a murder he didn’t commit. His case was covered on an episode of Dateline NBC.

[Image via Dream/Killer Film]

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