Kill List: Episode 3 - "First Contact"

Introduction

In Episode 3 of Kill List, titled "First Contact," host Carl Miller delves deeper into his harrowing investigation into a clandestine murder-for-hire website operating on the dark web. As Carl uncovers more targets and faces increasing obstacles, the episode highlights the emotional and logistical challenges of protecting innocent lives against unseen threats.

Urgent Warnings and Immediate Threats

The episode opens with Carl informing Elena, a woman in Switzerland, about the latest payment made for her assassination. This call occurs late at night, emphasizing the urgency and seriousness of the threat.

• Carl Miller [00:00]: "It's approaching midnight and I'm on the phone to Elena. It's seven days since I first warned her about the threat to her life."

Elena initially appears skeptical but gradually acknowledges the gravity of her situation as multiple payments accumulate, totaling approximately $33,000—an amount Carl describes as "a legitimately serious amount of money to have someone killed" [02:19].

Expanding the Kill List: Anna's Story

Simultaneously, Carl tracks another target, Anna, a fishmonger from a small Spanish village. Anna's confrontation with the threat unfolds as follows:

• Carl Miller [07:04]: "Another one of the targets is a woman called Anna. She lives in the northwest of Spain and someone paid $24,000 to have her killed. I prefer a car accident. A week is good."

Anna's situation becomes urgent when her safety is compromised, and she agrees to collaborate with Carl and Esperanza Escribano, a journalist from Barcelona. Their attempt to seek help from local authorities initially meets ridicule:

• Esperanza Escribano [13:07]: "What is this? What are you telling us?"

This interaction highlights the disbelief and systemic issues within law enforcement when faced with cyber-related crimes and violence against women.

Personalizing the Threat: Bruno's Involvement

Elena's backstory is meticulously explored, revealing her tumultuous relationship with her estranged husband, Bruno. Their marriage was fraught with jealousy, especially concerning Elena's daughter, leading to escalating threats and violent confrontations.

• Elena [24:10]: "Now, I can't actually translate that. It says, du elen te drek sau. Can you imagine what that means? Well, it's something which you pick, you horrible pig."

Bruno's aggressive behavior culminates in the discovery of a room stocked with weapons:

• Carl Miller [37:23]: "They found... weapons and munitions. It looks like he was actually thinking about doing it himself."

This revelation underscores the imminent danger Elena faces and the lengths Bruno was prepared to go to eliminate her.

Challenges with Law Enforcement

Carl's attempts to collaborate with Swiss police are met with frustration and misunderstanding. The police erroneously suspect Carl of orchestrating the kill list:

• Elena [28:10]: "That website was set up by you journalists to get a story."

This accusation strains the relationship between Carl and law enforcement, making it increasingly difficult to navigate the investigation and protect the victims.

Escalation and Continued Threats

As the investigation progresses, the kill list proliferates with new targets from around the globe, including individuals in Arkansas, the Hague, Canberra, and Nancy, France. Each new target brings unique challenges and heightened risks:

• Carl Miller [42:06]: "We tried to reach a man in Arkansas... There’s a woman in the Hague... two targets in Canberra, Australia..."

The diversity of the targets amplifies the complexity of the case, stretching Carl's resources and emotional resilience.

Moral Dilemmas and Emotional Toll

Carl grapples with the ethical implications of his actions, recognizing the thin line between saving lives and potentially endangering them through his involvement:

• Carl Miller [38:29]: "There's simply no safe way for us to be doing what we're trying to do. And yet doing nothing is not an option either. And that feels like a sort of moral trap that I don't know how to get out of."

This internal conflict is compounded by the relentless pressure and sleepless nights, highlighting the human cost of uncovering such dark networks.

Breakthrough and Arrest

A turning point occurs when Spanish authorities arrest an individual connected to the threats against Anna. However, the relief is short-lived as further threats emerge:

• Anna [35:12]: "Yesterday I was working at the market and this week got a call and a voice of a woman said, watch your back, I'm coming for you."

Additionally, Elena receives distressing news about Bruno's arrest and his confession:

• Carl Miller [36:38]: "When Bruno was interrogated, he confessed... why he did it and he thought his existence was in danger because, you know, I wanted that money, you know, because of the divorce and everything."

Despite the arrest, the realization that Bruno had planned the attack himself adds a new layer of fear and uncertainty:

• Elena [37:43]: "They found that he had rented a room where he had weapons and munitions. It looks like he was actually thinking about doing it himself."

Heightened Stakes and Global Implications

As the kill list expands internationally, Carl's team faces mounting pressure to act swiftly. The lack of support from law enforcement forces them to operate independently, often feeling isolated and overwhelmed:

• Carl Miller [42:45]: "We're checking in, answering questions, providing updates. None of this was ever what I intended. This has become so much bigger, so much more unwieldy than I could ever have anticipated."

The episode closes with Carl reaching out for help, emphasizing the dire need for global law enforcement collaboration to combat the pervasive threat of the kill list.

Notable Quotes

• Carl Miller [02:19]: "I'm terrified that at any moment, Elena's husband could turn up at her flat and kill her himself."
• Esperanza Escribano [09:54]: "I was desperate. It was like my life is now reduced to this."
• Carl Miller [28:49]: "It's either shockingly irresponsible or it's actually a deliberate maneuver to have Elena distrust us."
• Carl Miller [38:29]: "There's simply no safe way for us to be doing what we're trying to do. And yet doing nothing is not an option either."
• Carl Miller [35:55]: "This clearly isn't over."

Conclusion

"First Contact" intensifies the narrative of Kill List, portraying the relentless pursuit to save lives against a backdrop of bureaucratic indifference and personal vendettas. Carl Miller's dedication underscores the complexities and moral ambiguities inherent in combating cyber-enabled violence. As the kill list continues to grow, the episode leaves listeners on edge, anticipating the next steps in this perilous journey to protect the innocent.

Credits

Kill List Episode 3 "First Contact" is brought to you by Wondery and Novel, featuring contributions from Caroline Thornham, Tom Wright, and additional research from various dedicated individuals. Original music by Skylar Gerdemann and Martin Linnebell enhances the gripping narrative.

For those eager to delve deeper into Carl Miller's investigation, all episodes of Kill List are available for binge listening on the Wondery App or your preferred podcast platform. Subscribe to Wondery+ for early access and an ad-free experience.