Kill List: Episode 14 - "Bath"
Overview
In Episode 14 of Kill List, titled "Bath," Wondery and Novel delve into the harrowing true story of Lisa, an ordinary woman whose life spirals into terror after receiving a series of menacing messages. Hosted by tech journalist Carl Miller, the episode explores themes of obsession, control, and systemic failures within law enforcement and support institutions. As Lisa battles to uncover the truth and protect herself, the narrative exposes the dark underbelly of the murder-for-hire industry on the dark web and highlights the profound personal and societal costs of such crimes.
1. Settling into Bath and the Onset of Terror
Timestamp: [00:32]
Carl Miller sets the scene in Bath, a serene city in southwest England, where Lisa is finally feeling at home after weeks of moving. However, her sense of security is shattered when she begins receiving ominous text messages.
Notable Quote:
Lisa: "I'd just moved into my new flat, gotten settled on everything, and then all of a sudden I get this text." [00:47]
Initially dismissing the messages as spam, Lisa's skepticism fades as the threats become more personal and sinister.
2. Escalating Threats and Initial Police Response
Timestamp: [02:00]
Lisa's situation intensifies as the messages morph from vague threats to explicit demands, including coercion and blackmail. Concerned, she turns to her sister and brother-in-law, Naval, for support. Despite the alarming nature of the threats, the police prove ineffective, advising her to ignore the messages due to their untraceable origin.
Notable Quote:
Lisa: "They just said, you know, it's really strange, but just ignore it. I'm sure it's nothing serious." [02:36]
This lack of action from law enforcement leaves Lisa vulnerable and desperate for answers.
3. Discovery of Surveillance Devices
Timestamp: [03:53]
A turning point occurs when Lisa discovers a mysterious device under her sink, resembling a camera. Realizing the gravity of her situation, she contacts a friend who identifies the device as a camera, leading her to suspect that someone close to her is involved.
Notable Quote:
Lisa: "It was sickening because I thought it must be someone close to me." [04:49]
4. Suspecting Naval and Confrontation
Timestamp: [11:38]
Lisa's investigation leads her to her brother-in-law, Naval, whom she has trusted for over a decade. Despite his seemingly benign nature and supportive relationship, Lisa uncovers evidence on Naval's laptop that implicates him in her surveillance and harassment.
Notable Quote:
Lisa: "I couldn't make sense of it, so I just texted a friend." [04:46]
Lisa: "I looked through his Internet history and I found...it was really a sinking feeling." [13:10]
5. Police Inaction and Continued Harassment
Timestamp: [19:46]
Despite presenting substantial evidence against Naval, including footage from the surveillance camera and incriminating internet history, the British police's sluggish response prolongs Lisa's ordeal. This inaction allows the harassment to escalate, with Naval continuing to send threatening messages and even involving her sister, Phoebe.
Notable Quote:
Carl Miller: "While the police apparently sit on their hands..." [20:32]
6. The Kill List and Dark Web Discoveries
Timestamp: [24:27]
Carl Miller introduces the concept of the "Kill List," a dark web platform facilitating murder-for-hire orders. Through investigating this site, Miller uncovers that Lisa herself becomes a target, with orders not only against her but also her sister Phoebe and Naval.
Notable Quote:
Unknown Voice: "Thanks for picking up the phone...we discovered a kill order on the Hitman for Hire site." [27:37]
This discovery reveals the extent of Naval's manipulation, using the Kill List to fabricate threats and justify his actions.
7. Struggles for Justice and Institutional Failures
Timestamp: [35:05]
Lisa's quest for justice is marred by prolonged delays and systemic failures within the UK's criminal justice system. Despite Naval's evident wrongdoing, bureaucratic inertia prevents timely prosecution, leading to further psychological trauma for Lisa.
Notable Quote:
Phoebe: "It was getting ridiculous at this point." [37:52]
Institutional shortcomings extend beyond the police to include inadequate support from mental health services and unresponsive political representatives.
8. Reaching Out for Support and Continued Disillusionment
Timestamp: [38:48]
Desperate for assistance, Lisa approaches her Member of Parliament, Vera Hobhouse, hoping for advocacy. However, the encounter leaves her disheartened as the MP appears indifferent, further isolating Lisa and exacerbating her mental health struggles.
Notable Quote:
Phoebe: "I went back to my office and sat at my desk and cried." [41:13]
9. Conviction and Lingering Injustices
Timestamp: [45:46]
After an exhaustive two-year battle, Naval finally pleads guilty to stalking and related offenses. While this marks a semblance of justice for Lisa, the delayed response means she has already endured significant emotional and psychological distress, highlighting the inefficacies of the system.
Notable Quote:
Phoebe: "This is the right thing. ... I hope he's okay." [49:35]
The episode concludes by reflecting on the broader implications of Lisa's story, emphasizing the urgent need for systemic reforms to support victims and ensure timely justice.
10. Reflections and Systemic Critique
Timestamp: [53:21]
Producer Caroline Thornham provides an insightful analysis of Lisa's case, comparing it to typical cases and underscoring the extraordinary delays and systemic failures that compounded her suffering.
Notable Quote:
Caroline Thornham: "Lisa's account of this meeting is the one that I find the most difficult to understand...a judge actually found that all of these delays should mitigate in Naval's favor." [51:44]
The narrative underscores how bureaucratic inefficiencies can prolong victims' anguish, making Lisa's eventual conviction a bittersweet resolution.
Conclusion
Episode 14 of Kill List presents a compelling and distressing account of Lisa's struggle against personal threats and institutional neglect. Through meticulous storytelling and critical examination of systemic flaws, the episode not only highlights the perils of the dark web's criminal enterprises but also calls attention to the urgent need for more responsive and supportive mechanisms for victims. Lisa's journey serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost behind the statistics and underscores the importance of vigilance, advocacy, and reform in combating such pervasive threats.
Credits
Kill List is hosted by Carl Miller, with reporting by Caroline Thornham and production by a dedicated team including Tom Wright, Jay Kotaevich, Anna Sinfield, and others. The episode features original music by Skylar Gerdemann and Martin Linnebell, among other contributors.