Listen Now: Don’t Cross Kat

Summary

Business Wars: "Don’t Cross Kat" Summary

Release Date: March 31, 2025

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Introduction

In the gripping episode titled "Don’t Cross Kat," Wondery's Business Wars delves into the dark underbelly of social media influence and its potential for manipulation. Hosted by David Brown, formerly of Marketplace, this episode investigates the mysterious disappearance of Patty and the unsettling rise of Kat Torres, a charismatic influencer whose seemingly flawless online persona masks sinister activities. Based on a Brazilian true crime saga, the episode explores themes of ambition, control, and the devastating impact of empty promises.

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Key Characters

• Patty: A young woman who vanishes without a trace, sparking a desperate search led by her best friend.

• Kat Torres: A Brazilian social media influencer with millions of followers, known for promoting spiritual awakenings and a picture-perfect lifestyle.

• Wayne Murray: A resident of Leander, Texas, who becomes suspicious of Kat Torres and her entourage.

• Chico (Francisco Chico): A journalist and influencer who uncovers the dark truths behind Kat Torres’ facade.

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The Disappearance and Initial Investigation

The episode opens with the mysterious disappearance of Patty, prompting her best friend to initiate a frantic search. The investigation leads to Kat Torres, whose charismatic influence and substantial social media following paint the picture of an idyllic life. However, as the narrative unfolds, it becomes evident that there is more beneath the surface.

Notable Quote:

"When an influencer promised you a dream life, what would you sacrifice?"
— Narrator [00:00]

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Kat Torres: The Charismatic Influencer

Kat Torres captivates millions with her inspirational quotes and promises of spiritual enlightenment. Her social media presence suggests a harmonious and fulfilling life, attracting followers eager to emulate her success. However, behind the glamourous posts lies a web of manipulation and control.

Community Observations: Wayne Murray, a long-time resident of Leander, Texas, shares his experiences with the new Brazilian neighbors:

"In Leander, people do two things. Wave to each other and then mind their business."
— Wayne Murray [01:27]

Despite his initial friendly gestures, the new neighbors, including Kat, remain aloof, never reciprocating his waves.

Notable Quote:

"They were not terribly friendly. We had this traffic circle, right? So we'd come in, I'd wave to them. They never waved back."
— Wayne Murray [02:12]

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Unveiling the Dark Truth

As time progresses, Wayne notices peculiarities about Kat’s household. The new neighbors are strikingly attractive, resembling models straight out of a fashion show, which is unusual for a quiet Texas suburb. One day, Kat and her entourage abruptly disappear, leaving behind an empty house. The rental company’s decision to clear the house results in the dispersal of "girl stuff" in the front yard, raising suspicions among the neighbors.

Findings at the Residence: Wayne discovers several unsettling items, including voodoo dolls and packages of dried herbs related to Ayahuasca, a Brazilian psychoactive brew.

Notable Quotes:

"I still have it. It's a leather collar and like a leather plate and these chains and there's a handle on it. When I finally buckled it up, it's for a dog."
— Wayne Murray [04:38]

"They had packages of dried herbs and it has what they're good for. Good for romance, good for this, good for that. Three of them were also good for exorcisms."
— Wayne Murray [04:09]

These discoveries hint at deeper, possibly nefarious activities orchestrated by Kat Torres.

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The Investigation Deepens

Chico, a journalist with a background in investigating deceptive practices in Brazil, becomes involved after hearing about Kat Torres. His dual role as an influencer and journalist allows him to navigate the social media landscape effectively, uncovering discrepancies between Kat’s online persona and real-life actions.

Chico's Approach: Chico approaches Wayne to gather more information, leading to a deeper investigation into the disappearance of the Brazilian women who lived with Kat.

Notable Quote:

"One of the women was a social media influencer, famous in Brazil with more than a million followers."
— Chico (Francisco Chico) [03:23]

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Revelations and Consequences

As Chico and Wayne delve deeper, they uncover a network of manipulation and coercion. The alluring facade maintained by Kat Torres is revealed to be a cover for human trafficking and exploitation. The once vibrant and picturesque community is exposed to the harsh realities of ambition gone awry.

Impact on the Community: The disappearance of the Brazilian women sends ripples through the neighborhood, instilling fear and prompting a call for thorough investigations.

"It's a little scary, to be honest."
— Wayne Murray [05:44]

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Conclusion and Reflections

"Don't Cross Kat" serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of unchecked social media influence and the lengths to which individuals may go to maintain an image of perfection. The episode underscores the importance of vigilance and skepticism in the digital age, where the line between reality and facade can dangerously blur.

Final Thoughts: The investigation not only solves the mystery of Patty’s disappearance but also sheds light on the broader implications of influence turned into control. The episode leaves listeners questioning the cost of pursuing an idealized life and the ethical responsibilities of influencers.

Notable Quote:

"When influence turns into control, just how far would you go to get everything you always wanted?"
— Narrator [00:00]

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Closing Remarks

"Don't Cross Kat" is a compelling addition to Business Wars, showcasing the intricate battle between genuine influence and manipulative control. Through meticulous storytelling and in-depth interviews, Wondery presents a narrative that is both thrilling and thought-provoking, urging listeners to look beyond the surface and question the true motives behind the facades we encounter online.

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Additional Information

Listeners are encouraged to follow the "Don't Cross Kat" series on the Wondery app or their preferred podcast platform. For an ad-free experience and early access to new episodes, consider joining Wondery+. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/business-wars/.

Transcript

[Narrator]

When a young woman named Patty vanishes without a trace, her best friend launches a desperate search. The trail leads to Kat Torres, a charismatic influencer with millions of followers. Her social media presence showcases a picture perfect life, and she promises her followers a spiritual awakening. All they have to do is follow her lead. But behind the glamorous posts and inspirational quotes, a sinister truth a unravels from Wondery. Don't Cross Cat is a chilling investigation that asks the question, if an influencer promised you a dream life, what would you sacrifice? Based on the Brazilian true crime saga that captivated a nation, Don't Cross Cat is a story of ambition, control, and the lives destroyed by empty promises. What starts as an investigation into a missing person case explodes into a story of manipulation, coercion, and human trafficking, all orchestrated behind a curated social media facade. When influence turns into control, just how far would you go to get everything you always wanted? You're about to hear a clip from Don't Cross Cat. Make sure to follow Don't Cross Cat on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Chico]

Excuse me. How are you doing?

[Wayne]

Doing well.

[Chico]

We're journalists from Brazil and we're wr.

[Wayne]

A story about your former neighbor. The biggest news has ever hit this neighborhood. Probably the only one that will.

[Chico]

I'm not the first Brazilian to set foot in Leander, Texas. And the Brazilian women who came and lived here before me made quite the impression on their neighbors. Wayne Murray lived across the street from them. They said that you might know something, you might have spoken to them. Wayne says that in Leander, people do two things. Wave to each other and then mind their business. At least Wayne did. Then in 2022, that's when these new neighbors moved in right across the street.

[Wayne]

They were not terribly friendly. We had this traffic circle, right? So we'd come in, I'd wave to them. They never waved back.

[Chico]

And there was something else about his new neighbors.

[Wayne]

Very pretty young woman.

[Chico]

They looked like supermodels.

[Wayne]

Very attractive blonde. And a pretty attractive brunette.

[Chico]

Tall, thin, gorgeous. Right out of the latest Victoria's Secret fashion show. I mean, I'm super gay and even I can see it. And it wasn't just having a house full of gorgeous Brazilian women in a nondescript American suburb. That was unusual. One day he just stopped seeing them. The house was empty. The women were gone. Eventually, a rental company came to clear the house. They put out the girl stuff in the front yard for anyone to take, which was interesting.

[Wayne]

We got quite a bit of this stuff. We just took the bags. We Looked later. I did keep the voodoo dolls.

[Chico]

Voodoo dolls?

[Wayne]

Voodoo dolls. I've got three voodoo dolls.

[Chico]

May I ask to take a look at them, please?

[Wayne]

Sure. Well, come on in.

[Chico]

One of the women was a social media influencer, famous in Brazil with more than a million followers. I was there because, well, I'm kind of an influencer myself, but that was basically an accident. I'm a journalist first and I've made a name for myself investigating stories in Brazil where things aren't quite. Quite what they seem. And that's what brought me to Texas, because the woman who lived there, Kat Turres, seemed like she had a picture perfect life online. Thank you, Wayne. I'm Chico, by the way. Francisco Chico. Yeah. Okay.

[Wayne]

Nice to meet you.

[Chico]

Wayne told me the more he looked through the stuff the women left behind, the more questions he had about them.

[Wayne]

They had an altar in their yard, not a Christian altar, because she had. I can never remember the name of the pronounce the name of the drug.

[Chico]

Ayahuasca.

[Wayne]

That's it. That Brazilian drug. They had packages of dried herbs and it has what they're good for. Good for romance, good for this, good for that. Three of them were also good for exorcisms.

[Chico]

And that was an all one thing I found.

[Wayne]

I still have it. It's a leather collar and like a leather plate and these chains and there's a handle on it. When I finally buckled it up, it's for a dog.

[Chico]

That's why I was meant to ask, was it the human harness or the dog harness? Wayne started to wonder if he had been getting a little carried away. But soon he would see reports of what was really going on in that house. And he would realize that maybe he was right to have been suspicious because there was something troubling going on. Something dark, dangerous even. Leanna, please for it. Hi, I'm calling because I would like to know if you guys did a well, nurse check on the two missing Brazilian girls.

[Wayne]

Is an officer going to go over there and talk to them? Because they really need to. Could I speak with the person that's in charge of the investigation that's going.

[Chico]

On those three girls that are from Leander? I'm helping a family that has a girl missing and visiting Texas.

[Wayne]

It's a little scary, to be honest.

[Narrator]

You can binge all episodes of Don't Cross Cat ad free on Wondery Plus. Make sure to join Wondery plus in the Wondery app or on Apple podcasts.