Netflix's latest true-crime offering, Worst Ex Ever, is not for the faint of heart. This two-part docuseries, from the team behind Worst Roommate Ever, shifts its lens from shared living spaces to intimate relationships, exposing the terrifying reality that sometimes the person who claims to love you can become your worst nightmare. Through firsthand accounts from survivors, their families, and investigators, the series paints a chilling picture of how affection can morph into obsession, control, and violence.
The show's first episode, "Dating the Devil," sets the tone with the story of Ben Foster, a man with a history of violence who targeted his girlfriend, Justine Siemens. Foster's rap sheet includes a 2017 domestic violence charge and a 2019 incident where he held a girlfriend captive for two weeks, leaving her with broken ribs, black eyes, and injuries from zip ties and duct tape. Despite facing five felonies, he pleaded down to reduced charges and received a 30-month sentence—but was released the same day he was transferred to state prison, having already served 729 days awaiting trial. This early release is a recurring theme in Worst Ex Ever, highlighting systemic failures that leave victims vulnerable.
Foster moved to Oregon, where he met Siemens while bartending. Their relationship initially seemed normal, but when Siemens learned of his criminal past and reported him to his employer, Foster's dark side emerged. He stalked, tortured, and brutally assaulted her over three days, holding her captive until she managed to call a friend for help. Foster fled, altered his appearance, and after a standoff with police, took his own life on January 31, 2023, never facing justice for his crimes.
The second episode, "Betrayed by the Badge," follows Seemona Sumasar, a financial adviser and franchise owner who dated NYPD officer Jerry Ramrattan. Their relationship unraveled when Ramrattan's wife appeared, revealing he was a married con man with three children. After Sumasar allowed him to stay in her basement temporarily, Ramrattan turned on her, raping her and then fleeing. When he was caught and released on bail, he relentlessly harassed Sumasar, trying to force her to drop the rape investigation. When that failed, he orchestrated a scheme to frame her for armed robbery, using two associates to report crimes that implicated her. Sumasar was arrested in May 2010 and, despite a solid alibi, was indicted on multiple robbery counts, facing 25 years in prison. Her story underscores how easily the justice system can be manipulated to victimize the innocent.
The series also delves into a custody battle turned crime scene in "Killing for Custody." Eric Hill, a quiet man, married Mei Li, who had a daughter, Rosa. After their own daughter was born, the marriage soured, and Rosa threatened divorce. When Rosa refused to let Eric see their daughter on her first birthday, Eric sued for custody. Rosa retaliated with false allegations, claiming Eric planned a shooting at his workplace and abused their daughter—all proven baseless, leading to Eric gaining full custody. On January 7, 2009, Rosa and Mei broke into the home of Eric's 91-year-old grandmother, Sally Hill, and killed her. When Eric and his daughter arrived, they were attacked, and police found Sally's body along with a backpack containing rope, crossbows, a hunting knife, a throwing star, and a crowbar. Rosa's car was discovered nearby with a samurai sword and leg irons inside, painting a picture of premeditated violence.
What makes Worst Ex Ever so unsettling is its unflinching look at how ordinary people can become victims of extraordinary cruelty. The series doesn't just recount horror stories; it examines the psychological and systemic factors that allow abusers to thrive. Each episode is a stark reminder that the justice system often fails survivors, and that the scars of abuse run deep.
If you're a fan of true-crime docuseries, Worst Ex Ever is a must-watch, but it's not for the faint-hearted. For those who prefer to explore these themes through literature, consider these true-crime books that offer even deeper dives. And if you're looking for more Netflix true-crime content, check out Richard Osman's detective series or Adam Scott's thriller for a different kind of suspense.
In a world where love can turn deadly, Worst Ex Ever serves as a chilling cautionary tale. It's a series that will leave you questioning the people you trust and the systems meant to protect you. Watch it if you dare, but don't say we didn't warn you.
