Kolchak: The Night Stalker (1974)

Episode Overview

A string of brutal murders targets physically fit individuals—a military pilot, a football star, and a police officer—each killed in a horrifying manner with their hearts removed while still alive, using a dull knife, and at increasing heights. Kolchak dives into the investigation and notices a peculiar feathered creature lurking near one of the crime scenes. His research reveals that an ancient Aztec cult is aiming to revive their god, Nanautzin, the Lord of the Smoking Mirror. After being vanquished by Conquistadores 520 years ago, the cult must sacrifice five worthy hearts every 52 years to complete the ritual. The final victim needs to be a "perfect sacrifice," someone willing who has had their every wish granted for a year. Pepe, a box boy, fits this description, and Kolchak must race to find him at the tallest staircase in Chicago to persuade him to escape his grim fate.