'Worst Roommate Ever,' Netflix's new true-crime doc, is a roomie nightmare come true

Renters, beware: 'The Worst Roommate Ever', Netflix's frightening true-crime documentary, will make you think twice about signing that lease

Worst Roommate Ever Netflix
(Image credit: Netflix)

Worst Roommate Ever, Netflix's brand-new true-crime docuseries, will make you want to rethink living with your roomie. 

Continuing the deception trend behind The Tinder Swindler and Inventing Anna, this series follows tenants who have been seriously misled, and not just in the "my roommate's hogging the living room" kind of way—we're talking squatters, scammers and killers

The March Netflix debut hones in on four dwellers who sought vulnerable roommates: K.C. Joy, Dorothea Puente, Youssef Khater and Jamison Bachman. This quartet proves that looks can be deceiving: for goodness sakes, the grandmotherly Puente was actually a murderer!

If you're looking to make a housing adjustment, you might want to get a second opinion when browsing potential abodes. Nailing the best upcycled furniture ideas and scouring shelves for chic removable wallpaper are the least of your problems. 

*Warning: spoilers ahead!*



'Worst Roommate Ever,' Netflix's new documentary

"The scariest thing is a brilliant psycho," an interviewee states in the Worst Roommate Ever trailer. Is anyone else sensing real Norman Bates vibes from this teaser? 

These wicked scammers lured in vulnerable roommates, only to completely sabotage them—and sometimes worse. If you've wondered, "Where is Anna Sorokin now?" "Is Elizabeth Holmes in prison?" and so on, just know that Worst Roommate Ever takes deception to whole new levels, even for the likes of Delvey/Sorokin and Holmes.

'Worst Roommate Ever' Youssef, K.C. and more

K.C. Joy was pegged as a quiet tenant who kept to himself, but in reality, he was a menacing killer. He opened his home to a former U.S. Army vet, Maribel Ramos, while she attended school at California State University-Fullerton. In 2014, Joy was sentenced to 15 years to life for killing Ramos, whose body was discovered in Silverado Canyon, according to ABC

The sweet, elderly Puente followed those wicked ways. Though she looked like the type of woman who would bake you cookies and cover you with a blanket during a nap, she truly was one of the worst roommates ever. She welcomed elderly and mentally disabled boarders into her home. Soon thereafter, she'd kill them and cash in their social security checks. 

Youssef Khater was also money-hungry. The 33-year-old defrauded people out of thousands and was also convicted of attempted murder. (His target survived.) Though he served time in jail, his whereabouts are difficult to pinpoint, as he's assumed various aliases over the past several years. Yes, he is still out there, folks. 

Last but not least, Jamison Bachman, the serial squatter who took advantage of different people seeking roommates, and worst of all, took his own brother's life. He would refuse to pay rent and utilities and even gave his renter's pets away to a kill shelter when she had left the house. 

Though house hunting is intended to be an exciting milestone, always proceed cautiously and seek help when needed. Should your gut tell you something is off, do not proceed with a move. If you feel you are truly in danger, contact local authorities.

As far as TV lineups go, if levity is more your thing, Bridgerton season 2 will hit Netflix in late March—a complete 180 from Worst Roommate Ever.  

Danielle Valente
Digital News Writer

Need a TV show recommendation? Maybe a few decor tips? Danielle, a digital news writer at Future, has you covered. Her work appears throughout the company’s lifestyle brands, including My Imperfect Life, Real Homes, and woman&home. Mainly, her time is spent at My Imperfect Life, where she’s attuned to the latest entertainment trends and dating advice for Gen Z.

Before her time at Future, Danielle was the editor of Time Out New York Kids, where she got to experience the best of the city from the point of view of its littlest residents. Before that, she was a news editor at Elite Daily. Her work has also appeared in Domino, Chowhound, and amNewYork, to name a few. 

When Danielle’s not writing, you can find her testing out a new recipe, reading a book (suggestions always welcome), or rearranging the furniture in her apartment…again.