Killer Minds: Serial Killers & True Crime Murders

Episode: KILLER INVENTOR: The Submarine Murder Pt. 1

Original Release Date: October 13, 2025
Hosts: Vanessa Richardson & Dr. Tristan Ingalls (clinical and forensic psychologist)

Episode Overview

This spine-chilling episode marks the first in a two-part exploration of Danish inventor Peter Madsen—the self-styled rocket scientist whose ambition and ego masked a dark, violent pathology. Host Vanessa Richardson narrates Madsen's life story, while Dr. Tristan Ingalls adds psychological context and forensic insight, digging into childhood trauma, narcissism, sexual deviance, and what transforms a boundary-pushing genius into a remorseless killer. The episode ends just as journalist Kim Wall steps onto his infamous submarine—setting the stage for the murder that would shock Denmark and the world.

Key Discussion Points and Psychological Analysis

1. Peter Madsen’s Early Life: Seeds of Narcissism & Detachment

• Parental Dynamics and Abuse
  • Born to a deeply religious mother, Annie, and much older, volatile father, Carl.
  • Peter’s older half-brothers suffered brutal physical abuse; Peter was spared, instilling survivor’s guilt and fostering a sense of being “special” or “chosen.”
  • Witnessing violence, even without being the target, is termed “vicarious trauma,” which can disrupt emotional development and foster emotional detachment.
    • “If the abusive parent idealizes the child who’s spared, that child may begin to see themselves as special, chosen, or above the rules.” – Dr. Ingalls [05:24]
• Impact of Witnessing Maternal Helplessness
  • Peter’s mother was present but unable to stop abuse—leading Peter to internalize beliefs about women lacking authority or control.
    • “Seeing a mother unable to stop the abuse can lead to the internalization of some damaging beliefs… that women lack authority.” – Dr. Ingalls [07:38]

2. Early Obsessions & Social Isolation

• Obsession with Rockets and Explosives
  • Father’s passion for propulsion passed to young Peter, leading to an all-consuming interest in rockets and submarines.
  • Even among fellow enthusiasts, Peter’s risk-taking and boundary-pushing alienated him.
    • “Peter started pushing boundaries that made them wary of him… his idea was scary enough to get him kicked out of the group.” – Vanessa [11:56]
• Consequences of Peer Rejection
  • Chronic peer rejection paired with familial dysfunction can foster aggression, lack of empathy, and reliance on grandiose fantasy.
    • “Instead of learning cooperation, trust, and social reciprocity, a child might retreat into isolation, resentment, or even grandiose fantasies.” – Dr. Ingalls [12:34]

3. Emotional Detachment & Antisocial Behaviors

• Death of Carl (Father)
  • Peter is indifferent at his father’s funeral—interpreted as possible emotional blunting, where relationships are transactional and empathy minimized.
    • “If the death of a parent is met with indifference… when that reaction fits a broader life history, it can point to a pattern where relationships are viewed as transactional.” – Dr. Ingalls [16:57]
• Escalating Risky Behaviors
  • Left alone, Peter turns to pornography, fetish clubs, and eventually begins acting out violent sexual fantasies online (BDSM, strangulation, “murder porn”).
    • “By the time he was in his early 30s, Peter posted online about BDSM, strangulation, and violent role play… he expressed interest in making his own pornographic torture films and described his love of, quote, ‘murder porn.’” – Vanessa [20:13]

4. Parlaying Genius Into Influence: Submarines, Sex, and Power

• Homemade Submarines as Means of Attraction
  • First efforts (Freya, Kraka) bring media attention and serve as conversation starters to attract women.
    • “He was anchoring a sexual experience to something he created, that allowed him to merge his sexuality with his professional identity… reinforcing the idea that both were sources of power, desire, and uniqueness.” – Dr. Ingalls [24:05]
• Submarine as Sexual Stage & Control Symbol
  • Used submarines as settings for sexual encounters. Even lent them for porn film shoots.
  • Merging career and sexual life becomes an extension of his narcissism and need for dominance.
    • “Inviting women onto a submarine wasn’t just about sharing an interest. It gave him control over the setting, the narrative.” – Dr. Ingalls [25:40]

5. Recklessness, Celebrity, and Escalating Volatility

• Celebrity Status Brings More Admiration and More Risk
  • Dubbed “Danish Elon Musk,” attracts investment and sexual partners, fueling grandiosity and mood instability.
    • “When someone keeps receiving validation and praise… it can create the illusion that they’re untouchable, above criticism, and entitled to admiration.” – Dr. Ingalls [42:55]
• Workplace Tyranny and Sadism
  • Known for tantrums, threats, Nazi jokes, and erratic behavior. Alienates collaborators, leading to his ouster from Copenhagen Suborbitals.
    • “If Peter dictated every detail, then he didn’t have to tolerate uncertainty or compromise… That kind of control isn’t about collaboration—it’s about protecting his ego.” – Dr. Ingalls [36:34]
• Dangerous Limit Testing
  • Left violent pornography on work computers, made sadistic jokes, and pressured acquaintances in sexualized violent fantasies.
    • “Leaving violent pornography out wasn’t just about personal gratification. It was about making others aware of his power to shock and unsettle or push boundaries. That’s a very different mindset from private interests. It’s an outward display, and it’s designed to dominate the psychological space of the people around him.” – Dr. Ingalls [47:16]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Childhood Abuse and Specialness:
  “If the abusive parent idealizes the child who’s spared, that child may begin to see themselves as special, chosen, or above the rules.” – Dr. Ingalls [05:24]
• On Connecting Power and Sex:
  "He was anchoring a sexual experience to something he created, that allowed him to merge his sexuality with his professional identity, reinforcing the idea that both were sources of power, desire, and uniqueness…” – Dr. Ingalls [24:05]
• On Escalating Fantasies and Public Behavior:
  “Leaving violent pornography out wasn’t just about personal gratification… it’s an outward display, and it’s designed to dominate the psychological space.” – Dr. Ingalls [47:16]
• On the Dangers of Unchecked Grandiosity:
  “If admiration keeps coming in, it can teach someone that what matters isn’t the work itself… it’s the attention it brings. That can lead someone to engage in more stunts or risky behaviors or public theatrics to maintain the spotlight.” – Dr. Ingalls [42:55]
• Final Escalation and The Victim Enters:
  “She thought she was about to explore the mind of a brilliant inventor. But really, she was walking into the clutches of a psychopath.” – Vanessa Richardson [56:43]

Important Segments & Timestamps

| Topic | Host(s) | Timestamp | |-----------|-------------|---------------| | Trigger warning and episode subject intro | Vanessa | 02:09 | | Peter Madsen’s childhood and trauma | Vanessa, Dr. Ingalls | 04:13 - 07:28 | | On maternal helplessness and gendered power | Vanessa, Dr. Ingalls | 07:28 - 10:04 | | Early obsessions and peer rejection | Vanessa, Dr. Ingalls | 10:24 - 13:45 | | Emotional blunting and antisocial risk-taking | Vanessa, Dr. Ingalls | 16:57 - 19:00 | | Immersion in violent sexual fantasy | Vanessa, Dr. Ingalls | 19:00 - 21:05 | | Submarines as sexual lure and symbol | Vanessa, Dr. Ingalls | 22:15 - 25:40 | | Work, mood swings, and boundary-pushing | Vanessa, Dr. Ingalls | 33:10 - 37:46 | | On the dangers of repeated rejection | Vanessa, Dr. Ingalls | 37:46 - 38:43 | | Escalating public displays of sadism | Vanessa, Dr. Ingalls | 47:16 - 48:43 | | Violent fantasies in interpersonal texts | Vanessa, Dr. Ingalls | 50:36 - 54:08 | | The stage is set for the murder of Kim Wall | Vanessa | 55:09 - 56:55 |

Tone & Takeaway

Vanessa’s tone is deeply investigative yet empathetic, while Dr. Ingalls provides clinical, measured explanations—never sensationalizing Madsen but shining a cold forensic light on the roots of his depravity. The episode balances chilling storytelling with grounded psychological insight, warning how unchecked grandiosity, trauma, and sadism can morph into true danger—sometimes all under a veneer of genius.

Next Episode Tease

The episode concludes moments before Kim Wall boards the Nautilus, with a haunting reminder of how Peter Madsen’s entire life and pathology have primed him for something horrific—setting up Part 2, the conclusion of this shocking true crime case.