LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— A notorious murder case from the early 2000s in our area is back in the spotlight.
There’s a new documentary out on the double convicted murderer Hugo Selenski.
The show featured several people from our area who played large roles in the case.
A local reporter who covered the case, and eventually wrote a book about it was featured in the documentary.
The show is a reminder that it’s still talked about to this day both locally and nationally.
Drugs, Death, and Deceit, the latest true crime documentary that spotlights the story of Hugo Selenski, a convicted killer from Luzerne County.
The roughly one hour show that was released Thursday on the CW Network is one of many about the case to have been made in recent years.
“For the documentary to squeeze all that happened in that 14 year span into a 43 minute program, it was fantastic. Those producers should win some type of Emmy award,” voiced Edward Lewis, Author, Hugo’s Graveyard.
The case first began in the early 2000s, following the discovery of five bodies in Selenski’s yard in Kingston Township in 2003.
The trial began in 2015. Selenski was convicted of the murders of Michael Kerkowski and Tammy Fasset and received two consecutive life sentences in prison.
The documentary, which was narrated by a News Nation host and correspondent, featured interviews with family of the victims: Tammy Fassett’s sister Lisa Sands, and Michael Kerkowski’s son Connor.
There was also District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce, former Assistant District Attorney Jarrett Ferentino and… Edward Lewis.
“It was decent I can give them that. My issue was they used outside hosts to do most of the narration,” said Lewis.
Lewis, now an author with the Times Leader, was a reporter at the time who covered the story extensively.
He later went on to write a 296-page book about the Selenski case.
“For me personally covering the courts for 25 years, it’s probably the top three cases,” said Lewis.
And one that Lewis feels may not be over.
The fifth body that was discovered at the Kingston Township residence has yet to be identified.
Lewis feels this case is a legal precedent for others to come and the documentary highlights that possibility.
“Not only for Luzerne County, but throughout the commonwealth. Other cases are going to be looking at it. It can all start all over again if they ever identity that fifth person,” explained Lewis.
If you want to read Lewis’ book “Hugo’s Graveyard”, you can find it on Amazon.
