The Octopus Murders with Christian Hansen & Zachary Treitz [Patreon Preview]
Jan 16, 2025
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Dive into a chilling investigation of a vast conspiracy linked to the enigmatic death of journalist Danny Casolaro. The creators of a Netflix series explore the psychological toll of unraveling dark truths. They share eerie childhood encounters that blur the line between fear and curiosity. Personal paranormal experiences add a tantalizing layer to their journey. Listeners will be captivated by the intertwining of reality and the supernatural, questioning the mysteries that lurk just beneath the surface.
09:16
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Quick takeaways
The investigation into Danny Casolaro's death highlights the psychological toll of exploring vast conspiracies blending government corruption and corporate greed.
Christian Hansen's personal experiences with the paranormal during the docu-series' production illustrate the blurred lines between reality and conspiracy.
Deep dives
Danny Casolaro's Investigation and Death
Danny Casolaro was an investigative journalist exploring a complex conspiracy he termed 'the octopus', which he believed to involve government corruption, corporate greed, and covert operations tied to the alleged theft of Promise Software. This software was thought to have been appropriated by the U.S. government for espionage purposes and sold to foreign nations, linking it to various scandals such as the Iran-Contra affair. In 1991, while pursuing leads on this intricate web of deceit, Casolaro was found dead in a hotel bathtub in suspicious circumstances, officially ruled as a suicide despite his warnings about threats to his life and missing documents. His family remains skeptical about the suicide ruling, believing the case warrants further investigation, which is a central theme explored in the docu-series on his life and work.
The Personal Toll of Conspiracy Research
The creators of the docu-series, Christian Hansen and Zach Trites, reveal how delving deeply into conspiracy theories can take a significant emotional and psychological toll on researchers. Hansen's eerie resemblance to Casolaro adds a personal dimension to their exploration, as he even portrays Casolaro in reenactments for the series, heightening the connection between past and present. This resemblance causes unease among people they interview, reflecting the intense nature of investigating such extensive conspiracies and how it can lead one down a disorienting path. The series also ties this experience to the paranormal, particularly through Hansen's reported encounters, prompting discussions about the intersection of reality and conspiracy in their work.
Zachary Treitz and Christian Hansen, creators of the Netflix series The Octopus Murders, join me to discuss their multi-year investigation into this vast conspiracy and the mysterious deaths surrounding it, including the journalist who was originally uncovering it, Danny Casolaro. I wanted to ask them what it was like to immerse themselves in such a complex mystery and how they managed to stay sane and grounded throughout the process. I also speak with Christian about his own personal paranormal experiences.