A son sets out to solve his mother’s decades-old murder in the gripping true crime documentary, After the Devil is Dead. Only five years old at the time of his mother’s death, Mike Lester leaves no stone unturned as he retraces the past with the insight and fortitude of a grown man. Mike’s vulnerability allows filmmaker Paul Catalanotto to diligently shine light on this tragic tale, uncovering chilling answers to once-silenced questions.

A Heartbroken Son Searches for the Truth

The death of Edna Ann Muscarello Lester was always suspicious. In 1982, she was pulled from a house fire in New Orleans’ Lower 9th Ward. Naturally, her cause of death was assumed to be fire-related. Upon closer examination, however, it was discovered that Edna also had stab wounds all over her body. This led investigators to the conclusion that the fire wasn’t the cause of death, but rather the secondary incident intended to cover up her murder. Edna’s son and the film’s protagonist, Mike, was just a child at the time, but the memory of that moment still haunts him.

Using film as a format for processing these complex feelings, Mike embarks on a life-changing emotional journey in his quest for closure. Throughout the documentary, he confronts not only the trauma of his mother’s mysterious death but also the abuse he suffered at the hands of his now estranged father, Russell Lester Sr. At first, Russell is the prime suspect in Edna’s death, as Mike cites the rocky relationship between his parents. Unfortunately, Russell’s profession as a police officer also complicates the likelihood of a conviction. Plus, his father proves to have an alibi during the time of Edna’s death. However, Mike can’t stop thinking that just because Russell didn’t technically commit the crime, it doesn’t mean he didn’t orchestrate the murder behind the scenes. This train of thought consumes Mike. Eventually, through intimate conversations with family members and close friends, Mike’s search for truth culminates in a bittersweet ending.

Indie Film Meets Investigative Journalism

Using archival documents, photos, and letters written by Edna herself, Mike does his best to piece together this long-standing cold case. Director Paul Catalanotto takes a very observational approach in capturing this story, letting the material speak for itself. The film runs long at 105 minutes, but every moment is full of new facts, Lester family lore, or never-before-spoken confessions. While it’s all intriguing, the first half of the film primarily focuses on Mike’s abusive childhood at the hands of his father. The film doesn’t delve into the true crime component of Edna’s murder until about 40 minutes in.

Director’s Statement

“Mike and I first met in high school, though for years our only connection was the occasional message on Facebook. Knowing I worked in film, he reached out when A&E and CBS News 48 Hours showed interest in telling his story. At the time, he was unsure if he wanted to revisit such a painful chapter, and I encouraged him to consider it carefully. When those projects eventually fell through because his story did not fit neatly into the expected true crime mold, Mike came back to me. He wanted his story told not as a crime narrative, but as something deeper: a film about trauma, abuse, and ultimately, forgiveness.

I hesitated at first, fully aware of how emotionally difficult and time-consuming the project would be. In the end, I agreed. Over the course of making this film, Mike and I grew closer as friends, and I came to deeply respect the courage it takes to share such a story. I am grateful to have been part of it, and I hope the film not only honors Mike’s journey but also offers strength and solidarity to other survivors of abuse.” – Paul Catalanotto, director

Takeaway

After the Devil is Dead is not only a compelling true crime documentary, but it also acts as a therapeutic experience for Mike. Solving the mystery of Edna’s death, which was among the oldest unsolved murder cases in New Orleans, was the catalyst for Mike’s search for the truth. Regardless of how this story ends, Mike’s mission ultimately turns into making peace with the past. In that regard, it seems like he can consider his mission accomplished.