Listen Now: Don't Cross Kat

Summary

MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories

Episode: Don't Cross Kat
Release Date: April 9, 2025
Host/Author: Ballen Studios

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1. Introduction to the Case

The episode Don't Cross Kat delves into the mysterious disappearance of Patty and explores the enigmatic figure behind the facade of social media perfection, Kat Torres. Hosted by Ballen Studios, this episode uncovers a chilling narrative that intertwines ambition, control, and the dark underbelly of influencer culture.

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2. The Arrival of the New Neighbors in Leander, Texas

In Leander, Texas, a quiet suburban neighborhood known for its neighborly waves and low-key lifestyle, a significant change occurred in 2022. A new family moved in across from Wayne Murray, the primary narrator in this investigation. These new neighbors were unlike anyone the community had seen before.

Wayne Murray recalls their initial impressions:

“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.”
(01:33)

The newcomers were strikingly attractive, resembling models from high-fashion runways, which immediately set them apart in the modest suburb.

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3. Initial Observations and Suspicious Behavior

The allure of the new neighbors wasn't limited to their appearances. Their social media presence, particularly that of Kat Torres, showcased a picture-perfect life filled with inspirational quotes and promises of spiritual awakenings. However, beneath this veneer lay unsettling signs.

Wayne describes the physical evidence left behind when the family abruptly vacated the premises:

“We got quite a bit of this stuff. We just took the bags we looked later. I did keep the voodoo dolls.”
(03:03)

The discovery of voodoo dolls and other peculiar items raised immediate red flags about the nature of their household.

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4. Discovery of Unusual Items

Upon further investigation, more bizarre artifacts were unearthed. An altar in the yard featured packages of dried herbs, marked for various purposes such as romance and exorcism, linked to the Brazilian drug Ayahuasca.

Wayne Murray elaborates on the altar:

“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.”
(04:04)

After a brief pause to recall, he continues:

“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.”
(04:15)

Among these items was a leather collar and harness, initially perplexing Wayne until he realized it was intended for a dog:

“It was a dog harness.”
(04:46)

This discovery hinted at a deeper, possibly darker purpose behind the family's presence in Leander.

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5. The Investigation Unfolds

Chico, a journalist with a background in investigating deceptive stories in Brazil, becomes intrigued by the mystery surrounding Kat Torres and her family. His dual identity as an influencer and a journalist positioned him uniquely to delve into this case.

Chico introduces himself and his motivation:

“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.”
(03:18)

As Chico and Wayne piece together the puzzle, the narrative takes a darker turn, suggesting that the disappearance of Patty is intertwined with the mysterious activities of Kat Torres and her entourage.

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6. Dark Truths Behind the Facade

The investigation spirals into a web of manipulation, coercion, and potential human trafficking. The curated social media presence masks sinister operations that exploit the lives and dreams of followers.

A pivotal moment occurs when Wayne contacts authorities about the missing Brazilian girls, highlighting the gravity of the situation:

“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.”
(05:21)

This plea underscores the urgency and the ominous implications of the case, suggesting that the allure of the influencers may have dire consequences for those who fall under their spell.

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7. Conclusion and Implications

Don't Cross Kat serves as a cautionary tale about the power and potential dangers of influencer culture. It questions the price individuals might pay for the allure of a dream life promised through social media. The episode leaves listeners contemplating the thin line between influence and control, and the lengths to which individuals and organizations might go to achieve their ambitions.

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Notable Quotes

• Wayne Murray:
  “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.”
  (01:33)

• Wayne Murray:
  “They had an altar in their yard, not a Christian altar... 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.”
  (04:04 - 04:15)

• Chico:
  “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.”
  (03:18)

• Wayne Murray:
  “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.”
  (05:21)

---

Don't Cross Kat is a compelling episode that unravels the complexities of modern-day mysteries, blending true crime with an exploration of social dynamics in the digital age. It invites listeners to reflect on the influence wielded by social media personalities and the unseen repercussions that may follow.

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. Okay.

[Wayne]

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.

[Chico]

On for those three girls that are from Leander? 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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