Press release - Series

January 26, 2024

A High School Love Story Turns Deadly in Episode Three of ‘Bad Romance,’ Monday, Feb. 5, on ABC

‘Bad Romance’ is an Eight-Episode Limited Series from ‘20/20,’ Hosted by ABC News Contributor and ESPN Analyst Ryan Smith, Featuring Some of the Most Shocking and Surprising Romances of the Last Decade

ABC News*

No. 1-rated “Bad Romance,” the new eight-episode limited true-crime series from ABC News’ “20/20,” returns with the third episode, “Shot in the Dark,” featuring a high school love story turned deadly. They seemed like quintessential high school sweethearts. Riley, a football player, and Emma, a cheerleader, began dating while attending high school in Knoxville, Tennessee. But not long into the relationship, the romance went from sweet to sour as Emma’s parents and friends said Riley started to act overly possessive and tried to control her every move. After Emma decided to finally break up with Riley, a strange and bizarre chain of events ensued: Emma receives text messages from an unknown number claiming someone kidnapped Riley, a man all in black arrives at Emma’s home while she is there alone, and Riley’s grandfather’s gun mysteriously disappears. In a shocking twist of events, Emma is then shot in her sleep from outside the house, through the walls. Who is behind the deadly shooting? A sting operation with local police uncovers the killer and much more. “Shot in the Dark” includes interviews with Emma’s parents, Jill and Mark Walker; friends of Emma and Riley; police detectives; and the defense and prosecuting attorneys in Riley’s trial. Episode three of “Bad Romance” airs MONDAY, FEB. 5 (10:01-11:00 p.m. EST), on ABC, next day on Hulu.

“Bad Romance,” hosted by ABC News contributor and ESPN analyst Ryan Smith, airs Mondays (10:01-11:00 p.m. EST) on ABC, next day on Hulu. Janice Johnston is executive producer of “Bad Romance” and “20/20,” the award-winning primetime program anchored by David Muir and Deborah Roberts. A proven leader as a long-form newsmagazine for over 45 years, “20/20” features unforgettable, character-driven true-crime mysteries, exclusive newsmaker interviews, hard-hitting investigative reports, and in-depth coverage of high-profile stories.

*COPYRIGHT ©2024 American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. All photography is copyrighted material and is for editorial use only. Images are not to be archived, altered, duplicated, resold, retransmitted, or used for any other purposes without written permission of ABC News. Images are distributed to the press in order to publicize current programming. Any other usage must be licensed.

ABC News Media Relations
Sarah Jautz
sarah.jautz@abc.com

Bridgette Maney
bridgette@bridgepr.net