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Logline

Following the murder/suicide of brothers River (15) and Jet (13) by their father Shan Collins, mother Kerrith McDowell, a nurse practitioner, confronts the many institutional failures within the mental health and law enforcement systems in Raleigh, North Carolina that cost her sons their lives even though she was uniquely positioned to seek help from within these failed systems.

Synopsis

THE DARK NARCISSIST is a feature-length documentary examining the systemic failures that culminated in the June 2025 murder of teenage brothers River (15) and Jet (13) Collins by their father, Shannon (Shan) Collins coupled with his suicide and burning down the family house in suburbs of Raleigh, North Carolina. The film follows their mother, Kerrith McDowell, as she rebuilds her life and channels her grief into advocacy, seeking accountability from local law enforcement and the psychiatric community. It exposes the intersections of gender-based violence, mental health, gun access, and systemic negligence. The film merges lyrical vérité and investigative journalism, juxtaposing archival evidence (911 calls, bodycam footage, legal filings) with tender visual sequences of Kerrith’s life after loss, and celebrates River and Jet’s artistic legacies.

Meet the Filmmakers

Trish Ward-Torres —Director/Producer (PGA, DPA, WIF, FEME)
Trish Ward-Torres is a director/producer whose work examines the modern human condition. For more than two decades, she has helped shape award-winning nonfiction and narrative films, often centered on navigating failing systems. Ward-Torres most recently served as Senior Vice President of Documentary at Participant, where she was a Supervising Producer on films including In Waves and War, Food Inc 2 and All the Beauty and the Bloodshed. Earlier, she worked at Netflix overseeing studio partnerships with FOX, NBCUniversal, Miramax, and PBS, following Producer roles at Lionsgate/CBS, Disney Studios, DreamWorks Animation and MTV.

While her career has often been spent supporting other filmmakers’ visions, Ward-Torres is now directing her debut feature. The Dark Narcissist emerges from a decades-long personal relationship with its central participant and reflects her commitment to authentic and ethical storytelling. The film marks a shift from oversight to intimate authorship—bringing her deep production experience into alignment with craft.
Ward-Torres recently consulted on several feature documentaries including Selena y Los Dinos, and advised independent production and distribution ventures launched at Sundance 2025. She holds a BA from Sarah Lawrence College and a masters in Documentary Film from the University of Pennsylvania. A Philadelphia native, she now lives in Los Angeles.

Rachael Wax Taber — Editor
Wax is an Emmy, Peabody, Morrow, and Telly Award-winning documentary editor and producer with over 20 years of experience crafting impactful, cutting-edge films and series. Splitting time between Los Angeles and New York City, Wax spent a decade with CNN, where she built a reputation as a passionate storyteller with a distinct cinematic vision. Driven by curiosity about the world — its cultures, people, and social causes — Wax brings authenticity and depth to every project.

Her journey is one of resilience: from being orphaned and homeless to earning a BFA with honors, thanks to a few very random acts of kindness. Now, it is her life’s mission to give back. To enlighten, empower and inspire viewers, thru an elevated, innovative and artistic lens. To give a voice to the voiceless. To share the stories that matter.
SIE Society Member and Mentor.

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Contact

For inquiries, please contact fiscalsponsorship@filmindependent.org.