The killer—a psychiatrist—exploits his patients’ trust to learn their worst fears, such as being buried alive (taphophobia) or drowning, and then forces them to face those terrors until they die. The Case Details

While the character is fictional, many Criminal Minds episodes draw chilling realism from real-life psychological studies and serial killers. [S3E3] Scared to Death

Criminal Minds Season 3 Episode 3: "Scared to Death" summary Key Takeaways for Fans

Dr. Stanley Howard, a psychiatrist who treats "lost souls"—people new to Portland with no social ties. [S3E3] Scared to Death

is the haunting third episode of Criminal Minds Season 3, where the BAU (Behavioral Analysis Unit) travels to Portland, Oregon, to track a serial killer who turns his victims' deepest phobias into lethal weapons.

People who are emotionally vulnerable and "off the grid," making their disappearances harder to track. Key Takeaways for Fans