Where is Nancy Campbell-Panitz's killer now? Details about Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action subject explored

The newly released two-part docuseries Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action takes a deep dive into the impact of the controversial The Jerry Springer Show, known for featuring sensationalistic content and dramatic confrontations. Despite its unusual content, the talk show ran for twenty-eight seasons from 1991 to 2018.

Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action also highlights the tragic death of Nancy Campbell-Panitz, who appeared on the show hoping to reunite with her husband Ralf Panitz in 2002. However, little did she know that she was invited under the false belief, that it would lead to the most unexpected outcome.

While Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action reflects back at the popularity and craze among viewers, it also sheds light on the darker side of it. As explained by Chicago Media Critic Robert Feder in the docuseries:

"There were pressures about violence and fighting. There was pressure about ambushing and surprising. And then there was the pressure about whether it was real or fake."

The docuseries opens with clips from the show in which the host can be seen surprising an elderly mother who met her daughter after almost 35 years. However, it wasn't all about reunions, but brutal confrontations among guests.

As mentioned above, Nancy Campbell-Panitz was one of the guests on the show, who was shocked to see Ralf Panitz with his new wife. Unlike many guests, Campbell-Panitz felt uncomfortable and just walked off the stage.

But two days after the episode aired, Nancy Campbell-Panitz was found dead. Who killed her? Where's the killer now? Continue reading to get the answers.

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Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action revisits the murder of Nancy Campbell-Panitz

Netflix's Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action isn't just about how The Jerry Springer Show became a cultural phenomenon, but also how it impacted the lives of many, and even got linked to the murder of Nancy Campbell-Panitz. The second part of Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action features her son Jeffrey Campbell, who talks about his mother's tragic death.

Jeffrey Campbell pointed out the negative consequences of the show and believes that the producers of The Jerry Springer Show were never held responsible for such tragic incidents. As seen in Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action, he says:

"I don’t think they have ever been held accountable for anything. I am sure there have been other people that have been affected — other guests we don’t know about."

Jeffrey even recalled being shocked when he learned that his mother was going on the show. Nancy Campbell-Panitz was visibly uncomfortable in front of the camera and didn't like being photographed.

Campbell also revealed in Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action that his mother believed Ralf Panitz was deported to Germany and now wants to be with her. She believed Mr. Panitz would leave his girlfriend and start afresh with her, which turned out to be absolutely false.

Ralf Panitz and Nancy Campbell knew each other through an AOL chat room, and eventually fell in love, followed by marriage in 1997. However, within fifteen months, they called it quits. Despite that, Nancy had a hope to reconnect with Panitz, but he didn't think the same way. Instead, Ralf Panitz had a sinister plan for his ex-wife.

Also Read: Dateline: Righteous Obsession — What happened to Milton Henry Sawyer? Details of the antique store owner's murder, explored

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The startling murder of Nancy Campbell-Panitz

Just two days after The Jerry Springer Show episode featured Nancy Campbell-Panitz, her ex-husband Ralf Panitz, and his second wife Eleanor, she was found dead. Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action also shows the clip in which Ralf is seen kissing his second wife and openly expressing his love for her.

This confrontation broke Nancy as she never expected this would happen on the show. It was in July 2000, when Ralf Panitz brutally beat and strangled his ex-wife, causing her tragic death.

Per prosecutors, Ralf Panitz watched the episode in a bar and was filled with anger and frustration, ultimately leading him to kill Nancy Campbell-Panitz. While talking about his loss, Jeffrey Campbell wished he could stop his mother from participating in the show.

Also Read: 5 disturbing facts about the Bailey Sharp murder case on Dateline, explored

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Where is Nancy Campbell-Panitz's killer now: Trial and conviction details explored

Ralf Panitz's actions finally came to light and he was found guilty of second-degree murder for the brutal killing of his ex-wife Nancy Campbell-Panitz. So, Ralf Panitz is currently serving his punishment in the prison.

As shown in Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action, it was on May 24, 2002, when Circuit Judge Nancy Donnellan announced the life sentence for the killer, without the possibility of parole.

Not only this, but the judge was also highly critical of the role the Jerry Springer Show played in the events. Attorney Lisa Kleinberg, who represented Nancy in a domestic violence injunction against her former husband Ralf Panitz reads in Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action:

"The judge had harsh words for the Springer show, which had featured the warring couple and Eleanor."

She continued:

"The trio were manipulated by the show to increase their humiliation... The judge said... To Jerry Springer and his producers, I ask you, are ratings more important than the dignity of human life? Shame on you."

Since Ralf Panitz opted to hear the verdict from another room, Judge Donnellan, in a powerful moment, held up a photo of Nancy Campbell-Panitz’s brutalized face showing it to the camera to highlight how she was murdered. She condemns Panitz's actions and believes his actions are unforgivable.

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Also Read: What happened to Danielle Boone from Netflix's I Am a Killer? The character's fate explored

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