The Audio Long Read From the archive: What lies beneath: the truth about France’s top serial killer expert
May 14, 2025
Delve into the enigmatic world of a renowned French serial killer expert, Stéphane Bourgoin, who captivated audiences with his insights. Discover the allure and societal obsession with serial killers, tracing its roots from France to the U.S. Unravel the complexities behind Bourgoin's controversial methods and the investigation into his deceptive practices. Explore the darker aspects of human psychology, revealing unsettling patterns of deceit among killers and the emotional turmoil faced by those who study their twisted minds.
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Bourgoin's Early Killer Interviews
- Stéphane Bourgoin enthusiastically interviewed notorious serial killers like Gerard Schaefer and Otis Toole early in his career.
- He posed with killers for photos and often disregarded planned interview formats, showing his obsession rather than mere curiosity.
Serial Killers as Cultural Phenomenon
- Serial killers became a distinct cultural phenomenon largely due to the FBI's profiling work in the US during the 1970s and 80s.
- Their notoriety reflected broader social anxieties about violence and social unraveling in late 20th century America.
Fabricated Tragic Origin Story
- Bourgoin crafted a tragic origin story of his wife's brutal murder, which he used to justify his fixation on serial killers.
- This story turned out to be a fabrication that his fans initially accepted as genuine.
