Netflix Worst roommate ever it certainly lives up to its name, and the episode with Tammy Fritz is one of the most shocking in the series. Worst roommate ever is a chilling true crime docu-series where roommate relationships turn ugly… and illegal. Specifically, the show follows true accounts of roommates with malicious and sometimes violent intentions as they turn their victims' lives into nightmares. Debuting in 2022, Worst roommate ever is a welcome addition to Netflix's lineup of top-notch true crime shows, receiving critical praise and a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Some of the most horrific confrontations Worst roommate ever include KC Joy and Jamison Bachman, but Tammy Fritz and James Bowden's story may have defeated them. They were introduced in Season 2 Episode 3, “Burning Down the House,” and their story is extraordinary. Although their relationship was never romantic, the two shared a close sibling bond, which made their fates all the more chilling. While at Fort Carson, Colorado, James met and befriended Tammy's husband, Rich, in the army, where his misfortune began.
Tammy Fritz's Background Explained
Her husband died under mysterious circumstances, although she was never investigated
Rich Fritz died in 2001 at the age of 28, and his death was considered suspicious because he had no serious health problems. He was also cremated at Tammy's request, despite him mentioning that he wanted to be buried. Because Rich was in the military, Tammy received $150,000 in benefits when he died and made even more money by taking out life insurance just weeks before his passing. However, Tammy was never investigated in relation to Rich's death due to a lack of evidence (via Movieweb).
Shortly after Rich's death, Tammy and her son, Christian, were left with no one to care for them. James Bowden and Rich were so close that after Rich's death, James decided to leave the army. As he had no other prospects and was inseparable from her husband, Tammy offered James a place to stay.
Tammy Fritz and James Bowden's fight
Bowden moves out after suspecting Fritz of drugging him
In December 2001, James moved in with Fritz and Christian. Although Fritz and Bowden's relationship was never sexual, Bowden considered himself part of the family. Bowden and Christian soon became close, as Bowden served as Christian's surrogate father. Fritz also accommodated Bowden financially.
Things changed when Fritz and Bowden went out drinking one night. Bowden recalled feeling much more impaired compared to the amount of alcohol he consumed. The next morning, Bowden woke up and was unable to move. He went to the hospital, where test results were inconclusive. The incident was enough to make Bowden suspicious. He moved out of Fritz's house in February 2006 (via Distract).
Did Fritz try to murder Bowden?
She made several attempts and enlisted the help of friends.
In 2009, times were tough for Tammy and Christian as she had has used drugs heavily and has also had previous run-ins with the law. Fritz was accused and investigated for identity theft, credit card fraud and check fraud and was being investigated for these crimes.
Meanwhile, Bowden was preparing to return home to Alaska, move in with his parents and go back to school. Before Bowden left town, Tammy invited him to one last meeting. Two of their friends, Michelle Kay Heaston and Sean Richard Lagoe, who were dating at the time, also attended the meeting.
Meanwhile, Bowden's mother had not heard from her son despite calling him several times. She asked the property manager of her complex to check on him. The manager found Bowden unconscious in his bed. Allegedly, some time after the meeting, Tammy's friends Heaston and Lagoe sneaked into Bowden's house and beat him with baseball bats.
Later, Fritz confessed that he was behind the attempted murder of Bowden. She admitted taking out life insurance on Bowden in 2005, when they lived together. Fritz asked Heaston and Lagoe to kill Bowden so she could collect the payout from the life insurance policy after Bowden's death (via Denver Gazette).
Fritz had tried to end Bowden's life several times before the near-death beating. She tried to poison him when they went out drinking. And, as the episode title “Burning Down the House” suggests, it turns out that Fritz tried to burn down their house. Bowden remembers waking up to a small house fire (via Women and home).
Where is Fritz now?
Fritz was sentenced to 48 years in prison
In May 2015, Tammy Fritz was sentenced to 48 years in prison. She was convicted of several charges, including attempted first-degree murder, solicitation of attempted first-degree murder and one count of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. His accomplices, Heaston and Lagoe, did not go to trial because they both accepted plea deals. Heaston was sentenced to 15 years in prison for first-degree robbery involving assault or threat. Lagoe is currently serving a 26-year sentence for similar charges (via The Cinemaholic).
Christian said that Bowden was “the closest thing I felt to my father”.
Fritz's son Christian has limited contact with his mother in prison and is reluctant to reconnect with her, especially since he has a family of his own. However, Christian and Bowen remain close to this day. Christian told the filmmakers that your relationship with Bowden is special. He said that Bowden was “the closest thing I felt I had to my father“. Fritz is still serving her prison sentence today at the Denver Women's Correctional Center.
Worst Roommate Ever is a Netflix original documentary series that details different people's horrible experiences with strange roommates. The series focuses on five different cases, from a serial squatter who kicks tenants out of their homes to a serial killer grandmother who kills people who stay in her house. The miniseries debuted on Netflix in 2022.