New footage of Canada’s Barbie killer shows her claiming Ken husband FORCED her to kill three women

Estimated read time 17 min read


Chilling new footage of Canada’s ‘Barbie’ killer showed her telling police that her ‘Ken’ husband forced her to torture and kill three teenage girls in the early ’90s – but authorities say video tapes of the gruesome attacks show her ‘enjoying’ it.

Together, ‘young and beautiful’ couple Paul Bernardo, now 58, and Karla Homolka, now 52, kidnapped, sexually assaulted, and murdered multiple young women – including Karla’s own sister – in one of the most ‘sensational and sinister cases in Canadian history.’

After they got caught, Karla claimed that ‘physically and verbally abusive’ Paul made her commit the gruesome crimes with him, and that she too was a victim.

She was offered a plea deal from prosecutors in exchange for her testimony against her then-husband; however, after the police found a series of video tapes that were taken while the offenses were being committed – which told a completely different story – the case, and Karla’s sentence, swept the nation, becoming one of the most controversial rulings Canada has ever seen. 

Chilling new footage of Canada's 'Barbie' killer showed her telling police that her 'Ken' husband forced her to torture and kill three teenage girls in the early '90s - but authorities say video tapes of the gruesome attacks show her 'enjoying' it

Chilling new footage of Canada’s ‘Barbie’ killer showed her telling police that her ‘Ken’ husband forced her to torture and kill three teenage girls in the early ’90s – but authorities say video tapes of the gruesome attacks show her ‘enjoying’ it

Together, 'young and beautiful' couple Paul Bernardo, now 58, and Karla Homolka, now 52, sexually assaulted and murdered multiple young women - including Karla's own sister - in one of the most 'sensational and sinister cases in Canadian history'

Together, ‘young and beautiful’ couple Paul Bernardo, now 58, and Karla Homolka, now 52, sexually assaulted and murdered multiple young women – including Karla’s own sister – in one of the most ‘sensational and sinister cases in Canadian history’

After they got caught, Karla claimed that 'physically and verbally abusive' Paul made her commit the gruesome crimes with him, and she was offered a plea deal in exchange for her testimony against him

After they got caught, Karla claimed that ‘physically and verbally abusive’ Paul made her commit the gruesome crimes with him, and she was offered a plea deal in exchange for her testimony against him

However, after the police found a series of video tapes that were taken while the offenses were being committed - which told a different story - the case, and Karla's sentence, became one of the most controversial rulings Canada has ever seen

However, after the police found a series of video tapes that were taken while the offenses were being committed - which told a different story - the case, and Karla's sentence, became one of the most controversial rulings Canada has ever seen

However, after the police found a series of video tapes that were taken while the offenses were being committed – which told a different story – the case, and Karla’s sentence, became one of the most controversial rulings Canada has ever seen

Now, new videos taken during her hours-long interview with police, shared by Real Women/Real Stories, showed her detailing the horrific killings and admitting to her integral role in them – but insisting that she only participated to stop Paul from ‘hurting’ her.

‘If I didn’t turn the water tab off completely, he’d hit me. If I didn’t say the right thing, he’d hit me,’ she told police. ‘He’d hold knives to my throat, he told me I better watch my back. He said, “Always watch your back with me.” He was physically and verbally abusive to me.’

The pair met when Karla, originally from St. Catharines, Ontario, was just 17 years old and Paul, from the Scarborough area of Toronto, was 23. She was still in high school but was working at a pet store part time and attended a convention on behalf of the shop in Paul’s town.

Paul, who was a University of Toronto student at the time, studying to be an accountant, saw her at her hotel restaurant, it was said to be ‘love at first sight.’

‘There was electricity in the air, it was love at first sight,’ Alan Cairns, author of Deadly Innocence, a book about the murders, said in a previous documentary about the case. ‘They called it a match made in heaven, but it was clearly a match made in hell.’

The two quickly fell in love – but while their romance was blossoming, Paul was secretly attacking women across southern Ontario. 

Now, new videos taken during her hours-long interview with police, shared by Real Women/Real Stories, showed her detailing the horrific killings and admitting to her role in them - but insisting she only participated to stop Paul from 'hurting' her

Now, new videos taken during her hours-long interview with police, shared by Real Women/Real Stories, showed her detailing the horrific killings and admitting to her role in them – but insisting she only participated to stop Paul from ‘hurting’ her

'If I didn't turn the water tab off completely, he'd hit me. If I didn't say the right thing, he'd hit me,' she told police. 'He'd hold knives to my throat, he told me I better watch my back. He was physically and verbally abusive to me'

'If I didn't turn the water tab off completely, he'd hit me. If I didn't say the right thing, he'd hit me,' she told police. 'He'd hold knives to my throat, he told me I better watch my back. He was physically and verbally abusive to me'

‘If I didn’t turn the water tab off completely, he’d hit me. If I didn’t say the right thing, he’d hit me,’ she told police. ‘He’d hold knives to my throat, he told me I better watch my back. He was physically and verbally abusive to me’

The pair met when Karla, originally from St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, was just 17 years old and Paul, from the Scarborough area of Toronto, was 23. Karla is seen as a teen

The pair met when Karla, originally from St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, was just 17 years old and Paul, from the Scarborough area of Toronto, was 23. Karla is seen as a teen

According to a previous documentary, Paul (pictured) had a difficult childhood; his mother was verbally abusive and at age 16, he found out that his father wasn't actually his biological dad - something that's been said to have greatly affected him

According to a previous documentary, Paul had a difficult childhood; his mother was verbally abusive and at age 16, he found out that his father (pictured) wasn't actually his biological dad - something that's been said to have greatly affected him

According to a previous documentary, Paul (left) had a difficult childhood; his mother was verbally abusive and at age 16, he found out that his father (right) wasn’t actually his biological dad – something that’s been said to have greatly affected him

Throughout late 1987 and early 1988, over a 13-month period, Paul attacked 11 different women across Scarborough. He would grab them at night, and sexually assault them from behind so they couldn't see his face

Throughout late 1987 and early 1988, over a 13-month period, Paul attacked 11 different women across Scarborough. He would grab them at night, and sexually assault them from behind so they couldn’t see his face

According to the doc, Paul had a difficult childhood; his mother was verbally abusive and at age 16, he found out that his father wasn’t actually his biological dad – something that’s been said to have greatly affected him.

As a teen, it was reported that he started looking through his female neighbors’ windows while they undressed. But despite his inappropriate behavior behind closed doors, Paul was able to keep it a secret from everyone around him.

‘He seemed so normal. This is common in psychopathic personalities, they are often very charming,’ Frank Davey, author of Karla’s Web explained in the documentary.

During his high school and college years, he had several girlfriends who all later accused him of becoming ‘abusive.’ 

‘He became fixated on violence towards women and conquering women,’ Alan added. 

Throughout late 1987 and early 1988, over a 13-month period, 11 different women across Scarborough were attacked by a man who had become known as the Scarborough Rapist. He would grab them at night, and sexually assault them from behind so they couldn’t see his face.

‘This was a very dangerous sub-type of rapist. He was very anger-based, perhaps even sadistic in nature,’ Gregg McCrary, former FBI profiler who worked on the case, revealed.

Eventually, one of the woman was able to get a look at her attacker's face and she helped the police create a composite sketch (pictured). Many of Paul's friends noticed a resemblance between him and the sketch - and they contacted authorities

Eventually, one of the woman was able to get a look at her attacker's face and she helped the police create a composite sketch. Many of Paul's friends noticed a resemblance between him (pictured) and the sketch - and they contacted authorities

Eventually, one of the woman was able to get a look at her attacker’s face and she helped the police create a composite sketch (left). Many of Paul’s friends noticed a resemblance between him (right) and the sketch – and they contacted authorities

The police then took some of his DNA and sent it away for testing - but it would unfortunately take two more years for them to get the results back after the sample disappeared. During this time, Paul and Karla were falling hard for one another

The police then took some of his DNA and sent it away for testing – but it would unfortunately take two more years for them to get the results back after the sample disappeared. During this time, Paul and Karla were falling hard for one another

Karla soon started to learn about her fiancé's sadistic sexual deviations, and according to the documentary, two days before Christmas in 1990, she agreed to help him drug her then-15-year-old sister, Tammy (seen), so that he could have sex with her

Karla soon started to learn about her fiancé’s sadistic sexual deviations, and according to the documentary, two days before Christmas in 1990, she agreed to help him drug her then-15-year-old sister, Tammy (seen), so that he could have sex with her

‘Not only were these women being brutalized, but we felt we were on the verge of it moving into the line of homicide.’

The pair laced Tammy's drink with sleeping pills; Paul allegedly raped the teenager while Karla held her down, and he then ordered Karla to rape her too - while he video taping the entire thing. She is seen hours before her death

The pair laced Tammy’s drink with sleeping pills; Paul allegedly raped the teenager while Karla held her down, and he then ordered Karla to rape her too – while he video taping the entire thing. She is seen hours before her death

Eventually, one of the women was able to get a look at her attacker’s face and she helped the police create a composite sketch – which was released to the public.

Immediately, many of Paul’s friends noticed a resemblance between him and the sketch – and they contacted authorities, who brought Paul in for questioning.

The police then took some of his DNA and sent it away for testing – but it would unfortunately take two more years for them to get the results back, after the sample mysteriously disappeared.

During this time, Paul and Karla were falling hard for one another. He then decided to move from Scarborough to St. Catharines, where she lived, and in December of 1989, the two got engaged during a romantic trip to Niagara Falls. 

Karla soon started to learn about her fiancé’s sadistic sexual deviations, and according to the documentary, two days before Christmas in 1990, she agreed to help him drug her then-15-year-old sister, Tammy, so that he could have sex with her.

‘He talked about how he really liked her and how she was getting really cute,’ she told police of Paul’s fascination with Tammy.

‘He kept on pushing and pushing and pushing. Finally I said, “OK,” thinking it would just be one time, that’s it, it would shut him up,’ she added of her decision to help him rape her sister. ‘I figured he’d stop bothering me and hurting me.’

Afterwards, Tammy (seen) began to vomit and she tragically choked on her own throw up, resulting in her suffocating to death. Officials concluded that she had died of natural causes

Afterwards, Tammy (seen) began to vomit and she tragically choked on her own throw up, resulting in her suffocating to death. Officials concluded that she had died of natural causes

'He kept on pushing and pushing and pushing. Finally I said, "OK," thinking it would just be one time, that's it, it would shut him up,' Karla told police of her decision to help him rape her sister (seen). 'I figured he'd stop bothering me and hurting me'

'He kept on pushing and pushing and pushing. Finally I said, "OK," thinking it would just be one time, that's it, it would shut him up,' Karla told police of her decision to help him rape her sister (seen). 'I figured he'd stop bothering me and hurting me'

‘He kept on pushing and pushing and pushing. Finally I said, “OK,” thinking it would just be one time, that’s it, it would shut him up,’ Karla told police of her decision to help him rape her sister (seen). ‘I figured he’d stop bothering me and hurting me’

On June 15, 1991, just days before their wedding, Paul woke Karla up in the middle of the night with a present - a young girl he had kidnapped - 14-year-old Leslie Mahaffy - who he planned to keep her as his sex slave

On June 15, 1991, just days before their wedding, Paul woke Karla up in the middle of the night with a present – a young girl he had kidnapped – 14-year-old Leslie Mahaffy – who he planned to keep her as his sex slave

He, with with Karla's knowledge, held her captive for hours, repeatedly assaulting her and recording the attacks on video - but less than 24 hours later, she was strangled to death. Paul and Karla are pictured

He, with with Karla’s knowledge, held her captive for hours, repeatedly assaulting her and recording the attacks on video – but less than 24 hours later, she was strangled to death. Paul and Karla are pictured

It's unclear which of them killed Leslie, but Karla told police that she never touched the young girl, just watched while her husband did

It’s unclear which of them killed Leslie, but Karla told police that she never touched the young girl, just watched while her husband did

Together, the pair laced Tammy’s drink with sleeping pills. Paul allegedly raped the teenager while Karla held her down, and he then ordered Karla to rape her too – while he video taping the entire thing.

Afterwards, Tammy began to vomit and she tragically choked on her own throw up, resulting in her suffocating to death.

On April 16, 1991, the newlyweds abducted 15-year-old Kristen French while she was walking home from school. The couple kept Kristen in their home for days - raping, sodomizing, and beating her, while recording the assaults, before they killed her

On April 16, 1991, the newlyweds abducted 15-year-old Kristen French while she was walking home from school. The couple kept Kristen in their home for days – raping, sodomizing, and beating her, while recording the assaults, before they killed her

Paul and Karla called 911, claiming that she had passed out from drinking. She was pronounced dead at the hospital, and officials concluded that she had died of natural causes.

On June 15, 1991, just days before their wedding, Paul woke Karla up in the middle of the night with a present – a young girl he had kidnapped. 

Paul had taken 14-year-old Leslie Mahaffy from the backyard of her home in Burlington, Canada, and had planned to keep her as his sex slave.

He, with with Karla’s knowledge, held her captive for hours, repeatedly assaulting her and recording the attacks on video – and less than 24 hours later, she was strangled to death.

It’s unclear which of them killed Leslie, but Karla told police that she never touched the young girl, just watched while her husband did. 

Two weeks later, on the day of Paul and Karla’s wedding, Leslie’s body was found chopped up into small pieces by fishermen at Lake Gibson.

According to people who knew them, the couple had an ‘intense obsession’ with each other.

In the police footage, Karla (seen with Paul) admitted to 'holding Kristen's head down' during the car ride, as well as unplugging their phones, closing their blinds, and locking their doors once they got to their house

In the police footage, Karla (seen with Paul) admitted to ‘holding Kristen’s head down’ during the car ride, as well as unplugging their phones, closing their blinds, and locking their doors once they got to their house

Karla (pictured) also told police that she helped guard the teenager, who was bound with electrical chord, by watching over her with a rubber mallet when Paul would go on errands

Karla (pictured) also told police that she helped guard the teenager, who was bound with electrical chord, by watching over her with a rubber mallet when Paul would go on errands

‘It was a very destructive relationship. They fed into one another, and encouraged and supported one another in doing things that were unspeakable,’ Dr. Fred Berlin, a sexual disorder specialist at Johns Hopkins University, said in the documentary.

‘They were attractive, intelligent, in love. The idea that these were the bad guys and that they were capable of doing anything so vile is something that’s hard for us to comprehend.’

In January of 1993, however, Karla decided to leave Paul after he allegedly beat her with a flashlight, leaving her with two black eyes and a broken rib

In January of 1993, however, Karla decided to leave Paul after he allegedly beat her with a flashlight, leaving her with two black eyes and a broken rib

Alan added, ‘The interest in this case was not sparked by the brutality of the murders. It was the disbelief that such an attractive man and beautiful young girl could team up and be involved in something so bad. The American’s coined them Ken and Barbie.’ 

On April 16, 1991, the newlyweds abducted 15-year-old Kristen French while she was walking home from school.  According to eyewitnesses, Karla asked the teen to come over to their car because they needed help with directions, when suddenly, Paul grabbed her and forced her into the vehicle.

In the police footage, Karla admitted to ‘holding Kristen’s head down’ during the car ride, as well as unplugging their phones, closing their blinds, and locking their doors once they got to their house.

The couple kept Kristen in their home for days – she was raped, sodomized, beaten, and eventually strangled to death. Her body was discovered in a ditch on the side of the road days later. 

Again, Karla claimed that she didn’t touch Kristen during that time – but that she was present as her husband committed the terrible crimes. She also told police that she helped guard the teenager, who was bound with electrical chord, by watching over her with a rubber mallet when Paul would go on errands. 

She said she grew close to the victim during their time together, since they would have ‘girl talk,’ which made it ‘hurt more’ when Paul killed her.

Around the same time, Paul's DNA sample - which had been collected two years earlier while police were investigating the Scarborough Rapist - was finally processed. He was arrested on February 17, 1993. He is seen on the day of his arrest

Around the same time, Paul’s DNA sample – which had been collected two years earlier while police were investigating the Scarborough Rapist – was finally processed. He was arrested on February 17, 1993. He is seen on the day of his arrest

After Karla told the police what had happened, they asked her to bring them around her house and show them where each murder took place, but she seemed more concerned about the state of her furniture

After Karla told the police what had happened, they asked her to bring them around her house and show them where each murder took place, but she seemed more concerned about the state of her furniture

'Can you answer a question for you? Was any of the furniture damaged as a result of the investigation?' she could be heard saying in body cam footage of the house tour. She also asked, 'Can I have that book or does it have to stay here?'

'Can you answer a question for you? Was any of the furniture damaged as a result of the investigation?' she could be heard saying in body cam footage of the house tour. She also asked, 'Can I have that book or does it have to stay here?'

‘Can you answer a question for you? Was any of the furniture damaged as a result of the investigation?’ she could be heard saying in body cam footage of the house tour. She also asked, ‘Can I have that book or does it have to stay here?’

Karla agreed to testify against Paul in exchange for a reduced sentence for herself; she was convicted on two counts of manslaughter and received a 12-year sentence. She filed for divorce from Paul soon after

Karla agreed to testify against Paul in exchange for a reduced sentence for herself; she was convicted on two counts of manslaughter and received a 12-year sentence. She filed for divorce from Paul soon after

‘I never should’ve gotten to know Kristen because once you get emotionally involved with these people, it hurts a lot more,’ she said.

Karla recalled Paul ‘anally raping’ Kristen in front of her before ‘strangling’ her to death.

However, it wasn't until after she had been sentenced that police found the video tapes the couple had taken while committing the crimes, which showed her not only helping Paul in his acts, but also participating in some of them herself. Karla is seen in 2005

However, it wasn’t until after she had been sentenced that police found the video tapes the couple had taken while committing the crimes, which showed her not only helping Paul in his acts, but also participating in some of them herself. Karla is seen in 2005

‘Her feet were tied with electrical chord, and there was electrical chord around her neck,’ she told police. ‘He anally raped her and then he strangled her after he was done. It stands out really clear in my head because the night before I left him he did the exact same thing to me only he didn’t kill me.’ 

In January of 1993, Karla decided to leave Paul after he allegedly beat her with a flashlight, leaving her with two black eyes and a broken rib. 

Around the same time, Paul’s DNA sample – which had been collected two years earlier while police were investigating the Scarborough Rapist – was finally processed.

The police soon started to link all the crimes together, and they brought Karla in for questioning, in the hopes that she’d turn on her ex-lover. 

After Karla told the police what had happened, they asked her to bring them around her house and show them where each murder took place, but she seemed more concerned about the state of her furniture.

‘Can you answer a question for you? Was any of the furniture damaged as a result of the investigation?’ she could be heard saying in body cam footage of the house tour.

She later asked, ‘Can I ask you a question? Can I have that book or does it have to stay here?’

Karla agreed to testify against Paul in exchange for a reduced sentence for herself; she was convicted on two counts of manslaughter and received a 12-year sentence. She filed for divorce from Paul soon after.

However, it wasn’t until after she had been sentenced that police found the video tapes the couple had taken while committing the crimes, which showed her not only helping Paul in his acts, but also participating in some of them, with one officer claiming in the doc that she even appeared to ‘enjoy’ it; but at that point, it was too late.

After serving 12 years behind bars, Karla was released on July 5, 2005. She moved to Montreal where she got remarried and has since welcomed three kids. She is seen after her release

After serving 12 years behind bars, Karla was released on July 5, 2005. She moved to Montreal where she got remarried and has since welcomed three kids. She is seen after her release

Karla's plea deal received severe scrutiny at the time, and was branded by the media as, 'The deal with the devil.' She now lives a normal life out of the spotlight, but many people still feel she was given too light of a sentence

Karla’s plea deal received severe scrutiny at the time, and was branded by the media as, ‘The deal with the devil.’ She now lives a normal life out of the spotlight, but many people still feel she was given too light of a sentence

On September 1, 1995, then-31-year-old Paul (seen with Karla) was found guilty of nine charges, including kidnapping, unlawful confinement, unlawful aggravated assault, and murder, and was sentenced to life in prison

On September 1, 1995, then-31-year-old Paul (seen with Karla) was found guilty of nine charges, including kidnapping, unlawful confinement, unlawful aggravated assault, and murder, and was sentenced to life in prison 

‘As I see it, she was more of an accomplish in these crimes than a victim,’ Dr. Berlin said in the documentary. 

‘Was Karla given too light of a sentence? Did she get off way too lightly on this thing? That’s certainly the opinion of a lot of folks,’ Gregg added. ‘I have my concern that she may be more psychopathic than Paul.’ 

Karla’s plea deal received severe scrutiny at the time, and was branded by the media as, ‘The deal with the devil.’

Paul was arrested on February 17, 1993, and charged with nine different counts, including kidnapping, unlawful confinement, unlawful aggravated assault, and murder. 

His trial began two years later – and Karla was the prosecutor’s key witness. In a letter obtained by the documentary that was sent by Karla from jail, she wrote, ‘I’m letting my bangs go, after all, I want to look my absolute best when I go and see Paul, I want him to drool when he sees me.’

She took to the stand, where she branded him as the mastermind behind the whole thing. On September 1, 1995, then-31-year-old Paul was found guilty of all nine charges, and was sentenced to life in prison. 

After serving 12 years behind bars, Karla was released on July 5, 2005. She moved to Montreal where she changed her name and got remarried to her lawyer’s brother; they have since welcomed three kids together.

She now lives a normal life out of the spotlight, but many people still feel she was given too light of a sentence.

‘All we can do now is hope she doesn’t harm anyone else,’ Gregg concluded in the doc.

As for Paul, he is still in prison, and was denied parole on June 22, 2021.



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