Berlin | 8 - Kill List

Kill List: Berlin | Episode 8 Summary

Release Date: November 5, 2024
Hosts: Carl Miller, Wondery | Novel
Episode Focus: The intricate investigation surrounding a darknet "kill list" targeting Andreas, a Berlin-based Twitch streamer, and the unraveling of motives behind the attempted murder.

Introduction to the Threat

The episode opens with a seemingly ordinary depiction of Andreas, a 34-year-old Twitch streamer in Berlin, celebrating his birthday with his boyfriend, Enrico. Andreas enjoys a wholesome online presence, engaging his 5,000 loyal followers with various gaming streams and casual interactions. However, beneath this facade lies a sinister threat:

Carl Miller [00:00]: "From Wondery and Novel comes a shocking true story about obsession, control and the price of life and death."

Unexpectedly, Andreas becomes the target of a murder-for-hire plot orchestrated through the dark web's "kill list." A user named Cider initiates contact, seeking to eliminate Andreas:

Cider [02:22]: "Hi, wanted to know if you are still taking jobs in Germany. I'm willing to pay 10,000 for a killing by stabbing or 12,000 if it is made look like a robbery gone wrong."

Unveiling the Kill Order

Carl Miller delves into the mechanics of how Cider meticulously plans the assassination:

Carl Miller [05:20]: "Cider writes in clipped form in English and the messages are amongst the most extensive we've ever seen."

Cider's communications reveal detailed information about Andreas, including his social media profiles, email address, and even recent personal changes like dyeing his hair:

Cider [06:30]: "Preferably by stabbing... Target currently lives in Berlin. The street is called moved there a few months ago..."

This level of detail suggests that the perpetrator closely monitors Andreas's life, raising suspicions about someone within his inner circle, specifically his boyfriend, Enrico.

The Investigation Begins

Recognizing the urgency, Carl collaborates with law enforcement to prevent the impending threat. The initial attempt to contact Andreas directly fails, prompting the team to enlist the help of investigative reporter Janina Findyson:

Carl Miller [10:00]: "We have to warn Andreas and the police about the threat without tipping off his boyfriend Enrico."

Janina's attempt to reach Andreas yields confusion, as Andreas does not receive the warning email:

Philip Ostrowitzki [12:05]: "I offered we can meet at a safe place... I think he doesn't know anything about the threat."

Identifying the Suspect

The investigation takes a pivotal turn when it's discovered that Enrico shares the same username, "Cider," on social media:

Carl Miller [11:58]: "We being in contact through Enrico's account suggests he might hold the key to unraveling this plot."

Detective Philip Ostrowitzki leads the inquiry, meticulously examining every facet of Andreas and Enrico's lives. Through a series of interviews and digital forensics, the team narrows down potential suspects, ultimately focusing on Nico F, a friend from Enrico's past in Dresden:

Carl Miller [25:05]: "After eliminating other suspects, we're left with Nico F—a friend from Dresden who knew Enrico before the Berlin move."

The Psychological Profile

In court, a forensic psychologist sheds light on Nico F's troubled past and psychological state:

Janina Findyson [33:08]: "He wanted to be close to Enrico. It was kind of pop star phenomenon."

Nico F's childhood was marred by abuse and neglect, fostering deep-seated jealousy and obsession towards Enrico. His delusional attempts to control the situation escalate to the point of commissioning a murder:

Janina Findyson [37:17]: "His love for Enrico turned into obsession that ultimately transformed into violent jealousy."

The Arrest and Trial

Nico F is arrested after the cybercrime unit traces the Bitcoin funds used to pay for the hit:

Carl Miller [28:56]: "Detective Filip Ostrowitzky is standing in Nico F's living room in Dresden, calmly and politely reading him his rights."

During the trial, evidence such as voodoo dolls and incantations directed at Enrico emerges, highlighting Nico F's warped perception and desperate need to reclaim control:

Carl Miller [30:35]: "On Nico F's laptops, they find he was researching witchcraft and creating voodoo dolls of Enrico."

A forensic psychologist explains that Nico F's actions stem from an inability to differentiate between fantasy and reality, driven by obsessive jealousy rather than mental illness:

Dr. Howard Fine [39:08]: "Individuals can become quite obsessed or fixated, and this obsession can lead to irrational thoughts and behaviors."

Conclusion and Reflections

Nico F is sentenced to four and a half years in prison, expressing remorse for his actions:

Janina Findyson [42:04]: "He seems to be genuinely remorseful. He's glad he was caught before anything worse happened."

Carl Miller reflects on the broader implications of such cases, emphasizing the dangerous blend of delusion and meticulous planning that characterizes perpetrators on the kill list:

Carl Miller [42:41]: "Our perpetrators are, in one way or another, all delusional fantasists... They're willing to extinguish the dreams and fantasies of another person."

The episode closes with a teaser for the next installment, hinting at another unresolved case in Nancy, France.

Notable Quotes

Carl Miller [00:00]: "From Wondery and Novel comes a shocking true story about obsession, control and the price of life and death."
Cider [02:22]: "Hi, wanted to know if you are still taking jobs in Germany. I'm willing to pay 10,000 for a killing by stabbing or 12,000 if it is made look like a robbery gone wrong."
Janina Findyson [33:08]: "He wanted to be close to Enrico. It was kind of pop star phenomenon."
Dr. Howard Fine [39:08]: "Individuals can become quite obsessed or fixated, and this obsession can lead to irrational thoughts and behaviors."

Key Takeaways

Obsession and Delusion: Perpetrators like Nico F exhibit a dangerous mix of obsessive behavior and delusional thinking, making them unpredictable threats.
Dark Web Dangers: The anonymity of the darknet facilitates the proliferation of murder-for-hire schemes, complicating law enforcement efforts.
Importance of Timely Intervention: Quick and coordinated actions between investigative teams and law enforcement are crucial in preventing potential tragedies.
Psychological Insights: Understanding the psychological profiles of such individuals is essential in preempting and addressing their harmful intentions.

Next Episode Preview: The series continues to explore the depths of the kill list phenomenon, focusing on a case in Nancy, France, where a young waitress's cries for help go unnoticed, unraveling another layer of this dark underworld.