American Monster has always excelled at using home video footage to create a sense of normalcy before revealing the darkness lurking just out of frame. The spin-off, Abuse of Power, refines that focus, examining cases where authority figures use their positions to commit and conceal crimes. This Sunday’s episode, “Without a Prayer,” is a prime example of the format, airing at 10:00 PM ET on Investigation Discovery.
The subject is Pastor Schirmer, a man who commanded respect and influence over his local congregation. He was a pillar of the community—until an investigator began to look closer at his past. The episode tracks the growing suspicion around the deaths of the pastor’s two wives, both of which were initially ruled accidents. As the inquiry deepens, a pattern of manipulation and control begins to emerge from behind the pulpit.
The narrative details how Schirmer’s role as a spiritual leader gave him a shield, making it difficult for those around him to question his actions or motives. The episode scrutinizes the ways in which trust can be weaponized, particularly by individuals in positions that are meant to be unimpeachable. It’s a methodical breakdown of how a facade of respectability can crumble under scrutiny.
By centering on the misuse of authority, the series moves beyond a simple whodunit structure. It’s an examination of the systems and social codes that allow certain individuals to operate without accountability, often with devastating results for those closest to them.
American Monster: Abuse of Power airs Sunday, June 15 at 10:00 PM ET on Investigation Discovery.
