Podcast Summary: Guru: Don't Cross Kat - Episode 2: Searching for Desiree

Guru: Don't Cross Kat is a gripping podcast series from Wondery that delves into the enigmatic world of Kat Torres, a charismatic influencer whose seemingly perfect life masks dark and dangerous secrets. In Season 2, Episode 2, titled Searching for Desiree, host Chico Felitti unpacks the intense journey of Patty as she endeavors to locate her missing friend, Desiree, who has fallen under Kat's influence.

1. Introduction to Patty's Quest

The episode opens with Patty, a dedicated friend, desperately searching for her best friend Desiree, who vanished three months prior. Desiree had abruptly severed ties with family and friends to live with Kat Torres, a renowned supermodel and life coach. Patty’s relentless search consumes her daily life, leading to sleepless nights and growing concern among her loved ones.

Patty (00:40): "So I was not sleeping because I was, like, searching for her, and then I had to work."

2. Joining the "Friends of Desiree" Group

In her quest, Patty joins a WhatsApp group named Friends of Desiree, hoping to collaborate with others who share her concern. Among the group members is Lau, whose real identity remains concealed for safety reasons. The group, comprising both close friends and acquaintances, begins to piece together Desiree's whereabouts.

Patty (02:25): "I felt a connection with them, this love for a friend that everybody was trying to do something."

3. Uncovering Kat Torres' Online Persona

As the search intensifies, Patty and her allies scrutinize Kat Torres' extensive social media presence. They stumble upon one of Kat’s peculiar rituals known as the "alien bath," which initially appears harmless but takes a sinister turn when Kat introduces razor blades into the mix.

Patty (06:31): "You had that one where she is doing this kind of a bath..."

Chico Felitti (07:11): "She put in some rubber toys, a bag of Gumby bears, bath bombs, plastic packaging, and all gold tinsel. It all seemed pretty harmless until Kat added razor blades to the bath."

The followers’ blind adoration for Kat raises alarms among the searchers, highlighting the depth of her influence.

4. Escalation and Public Outcry

Realizing the need to expose Kat, Patty and her group create an Instagram account, searchingdesire, to publicly seek information about Desiree. Their efforts quickly gain traction, attracting tens of thousands of followers and prompting Kat to retaliate by blocking them. The situation escalates when another missing Brazilian girl, Leticia, is identified as Kat’s follower, deepening the mystery.

Chico Felitti (09:08): "They created a public Instagram account and uploaded a photo of Desiree."

5. The Hostage Video and Increasing Threats

After six months of searching, Patty receives a chilling video from Desiree, who appears emaciated and distressed, pleading Patty to stop the search. This footage suggests Desiree might be coerced into cooperating, raising fears of Kat’s malevolent control.

Patty (15:30): "She was so skinny, talking to the camera like she was reading something that's so aggressive, like, stop looking for me. You are all demons."

Subsequently, Kat sends Patty a threatening message, warning her to halt the investigation or face dire consequences. This act of intimidation leads to members of the search group withdrawing out of fear.

Chico Felitti (18:08): "Stop chasing this girl. Stop making people want to commit suicide because they can't stand that their family and supposed friends are stalking them."

6. Personal Attacks and Unveiling Deeper Intrigues

Kat’s retaliation goes beyond digital harassment. While Patty is on vacation in Brazil, Kat leaks her personal information online, including her children’s photos and details, and falsely accuses her of exploiting them. This devious move not only endangers Patty’s safety but also points to Desiree’s potential complicity or coercion.

Patty (22:20): "My address in Vancouver, my phone number, my name, my kids' names, my kids' pictures."

The discovery of Desiree's photos on an escort website underlines the possibility that she is being forced into illegal activities, further solidifying the need to dismantle Kat’s influence.

Patty (24:55): "Why would she let her live in Germany to do something illegal? What's the goal?"

7. Patty Takes a Stand

Faced with escalating threats and personal attacks, Patty decides to take a more prominent role in the search, becoming the face of the investigation despite the risks. Her determination intensifies upon recognizing Leticia in the escort site photos, confirming that multiple women are ensnared in Kat’s web.

Patty (20:07): "I decided to be the face."

8. Conclusion and Ongoing Struggle

The episode concludes with Patty grappling with the realization that Kat Torres is a formidable antagonist capable of orchestrating severe reprisals against those who oppose her. As Patty delves deeper, the stakes escalate, underscoring the perilous nature of challenging a powerful influencer with dark intentions.

Key Takeaways:

• Influence and Control: Kat Torres' ability to manipulate and control her followers highlights the potent mix of charisma and psychological influence in the digital age.

• Community and Isolation: While the search group provides support, Kat’s tactics effectively isolate Patty and others, demonstrating the challenges of combating powerful adversaries.

• Personal Sacrifice: Patty’s journey underscores the personal costs of seeking truth and justice, balancing her quest with familial responsibilities.

Notable Quotes:

• Patty on Isolation:

  "Maybe you should live your life and not spend too much time seeing search for someone that don't want to talk to you."
  (01:14)

• Lau on Group Realization:

  "That's when we started to realize that Kat had many, many, many loyal followers."
  (07:53)

• Patty on Personal Threats:

  "If you don't stop, maybe she going to kill her."
  (18:50)

Guru: Don't Cross Kat continues to unravel the complexities of modern-day influence and the dark underbelly of seemingly perfect lives. Episode 2, Searching for Desiree, paints a vivid picture of the lengths to which individuals will go to protect and find their loved ones, even when faced with formidable opposition.

To dive deeper into Patty's harrowing journey and uncover the truths behind Kat Torres' facade, listen to the full episode on the Wondery app, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.