Listen Now: Don’t Cross Kat

Summary

Podcast Summary: Hysterical – Episode: Don’t Cross Kat

Introduction

In the gripping episode titled "Don’t Cross Kat" from the podcast series Hysterical by Wondery and Pineapple Street Studios, host Dan Taberski delves into a perplexing case of mass hysteria intertwined with manipulation and possible human trafficking. This episode uncovers the mysterious disappearance of Patty, a young woman from LeRoy, New York, which leads investigators into the unsettling world of social media influencers and their dark undercurrents.

Setting the Scene: Leander, Texas and the Brazilian Neighbors

The story begins in the seemingly tranquil suburb of Leander, Texas, where new Brazilian neighbors move into the neighborhood, capturing attention with their striking beauty and charismatic presence.

Wayne Murray, a local resident, provides firsthand insight into these new neighbors:

Wayne Murray [02:17]: "They were not terribly friendly. We had this traffic circle, right? So I'd come in, I'd wave to them. They never waved back."

These women, described as "supermodels" with appearances reminiscent of the latest Victoria's Secret runway, quickly become the subject of neighborhood gossip and suspicion.

The Mysterious Disappearances

The narrative intensifies when these alluring Brazilian women abruptly leave without a trace, leaving their home empty and their personal belongings scattered. The disappearance of Patty vanishes becomes the catalyst for a deeper investigation.

Wayne Murray [03:03]: "We just took the bags we looked later. I did keep the voodoo dolls."

The house, once vibrant with life, is cleared out by a rental company, revealing unsettling items that hint at sinister activities behind the facade of a perfect social media life.

Evidence Left Behind

Among the startling discoveries are voodoo dolls and an altar filled with mysterious substances. These artifacts suggest involvement in esoteric rituals and possibly harmful practices.

Wayne Murray [04:04]: "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 [04:14]: "Ayahuasca."

Ayahuasca, a traditional Brazilian plant-based brew used for spiritual and healing purposes, is mentioned as part of the neighbors' practices, raising questions about the true nature of their activities.

Additionally, a peculiar leather collar and harness, initially mistaken for dog gear, hint at potential human trafficking or control mechanisms used by the influencers.

Wayne Murray [04:30]: "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."

Investigative Efforts and Interviews

Journalist Chico Francisco (Chico) conducts interviews with Wayne Murray to piece together the puzzle surrounding the missing women. Their discussions reveal the community's initial reactions and growing concerns as more information surfaces.

Chico [01:21]: "How are you doing? We're journalists from Brazil and we're writing a story about your former neighbor."

Wayne Murray [02:26]: "Very attractive blonde. And a pretty attractive brunette."

The investigation uncovers that the neighbors, including a prominent social media influencer named Kat Torres, presented a meticulously curated online image that starkly contrasts with the dark reality behind the scenes.

Emerging Dark Truths

As the investigation progresses, connections between seemingly unrelated incidents come to light. Reports of mysterious illnesses among high school girls and other inexplicable events hint at a larger, more sinister network.

In the transcript, Wayne's discovery of voodoo dolls and herbal packages suggests that the influencers might be engaging in manipulative or coercive practices under the guise of spiritual growth and personal transformation.

Chico [03:18]: "One of the women was a social media influencer, famous in Brazil with more than a million followers."

This revelation leads to broader questions about the extent of influence and control exerted by such figures, potentially linking to other unexplained phenomena and health issues within the community.

Conclusion

"Don’t Cross Kat" masterfully weaves together elements of mystery, psychological manipulation, and the dark side of social media influence. Through detailed interviews and the uncovering of unsettling evidence, the episode challenges listeners to consider the fine line between inspiration and control, ambition and exploitation. As the investigation into Patty vanishes and the Brazilian women's disappearance unfolds, Hysterical poses critical questions about the nature of modern-day hysteria and the forces that drive it.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Wayne Murray [02:17]: "They were not terribly friendly. We had this traffic circle, right? So I'd come in, I'd wave to them. They never waved back."

• Wayne Murray [03:03]: "We just took the bags we looked later. I did keep the voodoo dolls."

• Wayne Murray [04:04]: "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 [04:14]: "Ayahuasca."

• Wayne Murray [02:26]: "Very attractive blonde. And a pretty attractive brunette."

These quotes encapsulate the evolving narrative from initial curiosity and suspicion to the uncovering of deeper, more troubling truths.

Final Thoughts

For those intrigued by the complex interplay between mental health phenomena and real-world implications, "Don’t Cross Kat" serves as a compelling case study. It invites listeners to question the realities presented to them and to consider the potential hidden dangers lurking beneath the surface of seemingly perfect lives shared on social media.

Listening Information

To delve deeper into this investigation and unravel the mysteries of Hysterical, listen to "Don’t Cross Kat" on the Wondery App or your preferred podcast platform. For an ad-free experience and early access to all episodes, consider joining Wondery+ through the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

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 unravels. From Wondery Don't Cross Cat is a chilling investigation that asks the question, if an influencer promised you a drink, dream life, what would you sacrifice to get it? 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 and how far would you go to get everything you always wanted? You're about to hear a clip from Don't Cross Cat. Follow Don't Cross Cat on the Wonjry 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 writing a story about your former neighbor.

[Wayne]

The biggest news that's 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 I'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?

[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 what they seem. And that's what brought me to Texas, because the woman who lived there, Kat Torres, seemed like she had a picture perfect life online.

[Narrator]

Thank you, Wayne.

[Chico]

I'm Chico, by the way. Francisco Chico. Yeah.

[Wayne]

Okay. 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 wasn't all.

[Wayne]

One thing I found, 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 a human harness or.

[Wayne]

It was a dog harness.

[Chico]

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 Lee interplace from it. Hi, I'm calling because I would like to know if you guys did a wellness 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 on for those three girls that are from Leander?

[Chico]

I'm helping a family that has a girl meeting and visiting Texas.

[Wayne]

It's a little scary, to be honest.

[Narrator]

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[Unknown Host]

Follow hysterical on the Wondery app, Amazon music or wherever you get your podcasts. You can Binge all episodes early and ad free right now by joining Wondery in the Wondery app or on Apple Podcasts. Before you go, tell us about yourself by completing a short [e-mail] survey and if you have a tip about a story that you think we should investigate, please write to [e-mail] tips.