Upamanyu Biswas
With Jodi Binstock in the director’s chair, ‘Fit For Murder’ delves into the world of bodybuilding through the eyes of fitness celebrities Craig Titus and Kelly Ryan. As the dynamic couple reaps the fortunes of their public persona, their lives are completely upended when their female assistant, Melissa James, winds up dead, found to be brutally murdered. Subsequently, an investigation probes into the lives of Titus and Ryan as a sequence of dark events starts emerging about the seemingly ideal couple.
The deeper we probe into the incident, the more we learn how it unfolded and the tragic circumstances that led to James’ death. To that end, the Lifetime thriller is a chilling tale of murder and deception centered on themes of fame, ambition, jealousy, and crime, which evoke feelings of real deceit and danger lurking around the corner.
Fit For Murder is Based on a Real-Life Crime Involving Two Bodybuilders
Written by Maggie Mock, ‘Fit For Murder’ is a true crime story based on the lives of Craig Titus and Kelly Ryan, two professional bodybuilders who were wrapped up in the murder of their live-in assistant, Melissa James. The case was set in motion when the burnt remains of 28-year-old James were recovered from the trunk of a burning Jaguar on December 14, 2005. As authorities got involved, the vehicle was linked with Ryan, Titus’ wife, who was its owner. Husband and wife were questioned about their connection to James, stating that she was their personal assistant. Ryan also suspected her partner of having sexual relations with the victim. The couple alleged that James had been let go because she was stealing from them. They also claimed that the woman had taken off in Ryan’s car, which they decided not to report to the authorities, expecting her to return.
When the autopsy report arrived, it became evident that James had been murdered before the torching of the car. There were signs of foul play, and the cause of death was narrowed down to strangulation or overdose. As a former fitness instructor from New Jersey, James had moved to Las Vegas to work under Titus and Ryan as their assistant. However, it was her employers now who were accused of murdering her. Upon questioning people around the area, the police found instances of incriminating statements made by Titus and Ryan to their close circle of friends. The influential fitness celebrities turned into the murder’s primary suspects as investigators grew increasingly suspicious of their behavior and statements. When the police raided their house, the couple were nowhere to be found.
It turned out that Titus and Ryan had fled from Las Vegas, Nevada, and found their way to Massachusetts. A manhunt ensued, which lasted for nine days before the cops finally apprehended the couple and an alleged accomplice named Anthony Gross near Boston. They were subsequently extradited to Las Vegas to answer for charges of murder. Following a trial, Titus was convicted of second-degree murder, kidnapping, and arson and sentenced to 21 to 55 years in prison. Meanwhile, his wife, Ryan, was sentenced to two consecutive terms of 3–13 years in prison after pleading guilty to arson. She was later released on parole in 2017, having served a total prison sentence of 12 years. The couple also finalized their divorce following her release.
Fit For Murder Dramatizes the True Events While Capturing the Details
While ‘Fit For Murder’ may be largely based on the crime committed by two real-life figures, it takes a subjective view into the entire story through the eyes of its characters. In doing so, it puts the audience directly in the middle of the affair, providing a glance at the tumultuous circumstances that led to the murder of Melissa James. To that end, the film dives into the professional and personal lives of its characters, showcasing the intersection between bodybuilding, fame, and public perception. It presents an account of how lives can crumble down in a toxic spiral within an instant and the repercussions of those choices. As such, the narrative brings a human touch to the entire ordeal while also chronicling the specific manner in which it all went wrong for everyone involved.
Read More: Where Are Craig Titus and Kelly Ryan Now?
