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American Monster returns with a case that stunned suburban Colorado. The episode, titled Control Freak, recounts how 46-year-old DMV worker and mother Tricia Sue Green-Westfall was killed after a workday pickup that should have been routine. The story centers on what investigators say happened inside a moving truck, the quick crash that followed, and the painful trail left for the family.Set in Arapahoe County and nearby Castle Rock, the narrative tracks a long marriage that friends once viewed as steady. Tricia married businessman Galen Wade Westfall in 2009. Relatives later described growing control and jealousy inside the home. On the day of the killing in 2021, deputies found both spouses dead in the truck after a collision only blocks from Tricia’s workplace. The case was ruled a murder-suicide.The story unfolds in Arapahoe County and Castle Rock (Image via Unsplash)How American Monster presents the caseThe American Monster episode builds from home life to impact. Viewers see a portrait of a mother, a twin, and a county employee known for years of service. The program places those details against signs of strain that relatives say surfaced over time, including controlling behavior and monitoring. Interviews with family members and investigators frame the events as part of a domestic violence pattern that escalated without obvious outside intervention. The show’s focus stays on the hours that closed a twelve-year marriage.The American Monster timeline of November 15, 2021That morning, Galen dropped Tricia off at the Arapahoe County DMV. He reportedly handled errands and made a bank transfer. Near the end of her shift, a call set a specific pickup time. At about 3:30 pm, Tricia walked to a black pickup outside and got in. Minutes later, near East Geddes Avenue and South Havana Street, the truck veered, struck another vehicle, and came to rest in a nearby lot. Deputies arrived to a chaotic scene and discovered both occupants dead inside.The truck veered and struck another vehicle near East Geddes Avenue and South Havana Street (Image via Unsplash)According to 9NEWS, investigators later said the accelerator was pressed to 99 percent with no sign of braking when the first impact occurred, and the coroner found Tricia had been shot, while Galen died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The sequence pointed to shots fired inside the moving truck, then the crash.What American Monster shows about the investigationDetectives worked phone logs, vehicle data, and recent movements to map the day. Family interviews describe a tense week leading up to the incident. Tricia’s twin sister recalled that on November 7, home cameras were removed, reportedly without Tricia’s knowledge. Texts and calls on the 15th set the pickup for 3:30 pm. Relatives also told investigators about an alleged affair that, according to an investigator cited in reporting, appeared emotional and limited to messages and calls. Even if true, that claim remained a factor that did not justify violence. The overall findings supported preplanning, a fast escalation inside the cab, and no other suspects.The American Monster cut keeps the focus on documented steps. Bank activity, timing, and scene evidence built a tight window of minutes. By the evening, law enforcement treated the case as domestic in nature. The conclusion was released after autopsies and scene work were complete.Also read: Robin Lawrence case on 48 Hours season 39 episode 5 - A detailed case overviewAftermath In the wake of the deaths, Tricia’s relatives have spoken publicly about warning signs that can be easy to miss. Her sons described a home with frequent arguments. Extended family started advocacy efforts under Forever Pretty in Pink, The Tricia Green Foundation, to support survivors and raise awareness. The county office where Tricia worked offered counseling and noted its continued outreach on domestic violence issues.The return of American Monster arrives alongside ID’s No Excuse for Abuse programming tied to Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Control Freak aims to show how a suburban routine can mask rising risk, how a short drive can turn fatal, and how families carry on while pushing for prevention. The American Monster episode presents a clear timeline, reported signs, and the official finding of murder-suicide, with the emphasis on what was lost and what can be learned for others living with similar threats.Viewers can watch American Monster on HBO Max, HBO Max Amazon Channel, Discovery+ Amazon Channel, Philo, Discovery+ , YouTube TV, Investigation Discovery, and Hulu; stream it free with ads on Investigation Discovery, Spectrum On Demand, and The Roku Channel; buy it on Amazon Video, Fandango At Home, and Apple TV.Also read: The Rocky Mountain Mortician Murder release date, where to watch, and everything you need to know
