# I SURVIVED A SERIAL KILLER: The Fast Food Killer

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/cold-case-files-889639/i-survived-a-serial-killer-the-fast-food-killer
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/cold-case-files-889639/i-survived-a-serial-killer-the-fast-food-killer.md
Podcast: [Cold Case Files](https://stenobird.com/podcast/cold-case-files-889639)
Published: 2026-05-09T07:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/prfx.byspotify.com/e/claritaspod.com/measure/arttrk.com/p/PDPN1/pscrb.fm/rss/p/rss.art19.com/episodes/928bfec8-4b21-4b92-a633-87e924fd8b5e.mp3?rss_browser=BAhJIg90cmFuc2NyaWJyBjoGRVQ%3D--952c5701c84ad333c69d5faa668f8177091704f0
Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/prfx.byspotify.com/e/claritaspod.com/measure/arttrk.com/p/PDPN1/pscrb.fm/rss/p/rss.art19.com/episodes/928bfec8-4b21-4b92-a633-87e924fd8b5e.mp3?rss_browser=BAhJIg90cmFuc2NyaWJyBjoGRVQ%3D--952c5701c84ad333c69d5faa668f8177091704f0
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Duration seconds: 2406

## Resource

Survivors Jose Gonzalez and Mitch Roberts recount the terrifying night a former employee turned serial killer attacked them. The episode details the investigation into Paul Dennis Reid Jr., a man who targeted fast food workers and families across Tennessee.

## Highlights
- Main idea: The investigation into a string of violent robberies and murders linked to a single perpetrator
- Practical takeaway: The importance of community vigilance and police collaboration in tracking a mobile killer
- Failure mode: How a disgruntled former employee used his insider knowledge of restaurant layouts to plan attacks
- Main idea: The psychological impact on survivors who faced death at the hands of someone they once trusted
- Practical takeaway: The legal outcome of a rare case involving seven separate death sentences

## Topics

Serial Killer, True Crime, Survival Stories, Criminal Investigation, Nashville, Tennessee History, Cold Case, Robbery

## Chapters
- 1:00 — A Life-Threatening Confrontation: Jose Gonzalez describes the moment he realized he was being held at gunpoint and his determination to protect his family.
- 4:10 — The Pattern of Violence: Detective Mike Rowland discusses the connection between recent robberies at local restaurants and the growing threat.
- 7:20 — The Attack at McDonald's: Jose recounts the brutal stabbing and the terrifying moments inside the restaurant's stock room.
- 10:10 — The Aftermath of the Struggle: The harrowing experience of crawling through the dark in search of help after the assailant fled.
- 19:40 — Expanding the Investigation: Police uncover more victims and begin a multi-county hunt for a suspect linked to a red car.
- 22:30 — The Profile of Paul Dennis Reid Jr.: The background of the killer, a failed country singer with a history of volatile behavior.
- 25:30 — The Confrontation at Home: Mitch Roberts describes the night a former employee arrived at his house seeking retribution.
- 38:00 — Justice and Finality: The conclusion of the legal saga, the killer's death on death row, and the resilience of the survivors.

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## Transcript

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