Summary of "Rent-A-Hitman: Murder, Interrupted" Episode of The Knife: A True Crime Podcast

Introduction In the compelling episode titled "Rent-A-Hitman: Murder, Interrupted," hosts Hannah Smith and Patia Eaton delve into the unsettling reality behind a seemingly satirical website, rentahitman.com. Hosted by journalist-producers Hannah Smith and Patia Eaton, The Knife explores how this parody platform inadvertently became a conduit for serious criminal intentions, leading to multiple interventions that potentially saved lives.

Origin of Rent-a-Hitman The story begins with Bob Innes, the webmaster of rentahitman.com, who originally launched the site in 2005 as a parody. Intended as a humorous take on "point and click" solutions akin to Staples' Easy Button, the website was designed to test IT security vulnerabilities for clients. As Bob explains at [04:41], "Hit pertains to website hit, traffic network traffic analytics, how many page views your podcast gets for example."

The Onset of Disturbing Emails For years, the domain lingered unused, with Bob attempting to sell it unsuccessfully. However, in 2008, the influx of approximately 250 to 300 emails came as a shock. Initially dismissed as spam or pranks, some emails hinted at genuine intentions to hire hitmen. Bob recounts at [06:11], "There was even a female out of the UK who was looking for a relationship. She wanted a relationship with a hitman so that she could learn the trade."

The First Serious Case: Helen's Request The turning point occurred in 2010 when Bob received a particularly alarming email from a woman named Helen. She sought to have three family members in the UK killed due to an inheritance dispute. At [07:18], Bob states, "There was something about this email that sounded real, like this woman Helen might actually want her family members killed." Recognizing the severity, he reported her to authorities, leading to her extradition after 126 days.

Developing a System to Handle Threats Realizing the gravity of the situation, Bob transformed rentahitman.com into an operational tool for identifying and reporting potential threats. He implemented an intake form to capture essential details and IP addresses, ensuring that each submission was assessed meticulously. As Bob explains at [09:13], "There is a federal crime to hire someone to commit murder, even if it's never carried out."

Notable Cases

1. Jasmine Paez ([21:52] - [22:59]):

   • Jasmine, an 18-year-old from Florida, attempted to hire her own three-year-old child’s murder. Bob's intervention led to an investigation where authorities determined that Jasmine was under coercion from her boyfriend. Both were arrested, with Jasmine losing custody of her child.

2. Wendy Wein ([33:27] - [36:25]):

   • In July 2020, Wendy Wein from Michigan sought to have her ex-husband killed. After interacting through the website, a sting operation resulted in her arrest and conviction. Wendy had previously attempted to hire hitmen via the dark web but found no success until turning to Bob's site.

3. Josiah Garcia ([42:53] - [43:31]):

   • An individual from Tennessee, affiliated with the National Guard, applied to become a hitman under the alias "the Reaper." His application included a resume and photo. Upon further investigation, he was arrested for attempting to procure murder-for-hire services, leading to a five-year probation sentence.

Challenges with Law Enforcement Bob frequently encounters skepticism from authorities. Initially, his reports were met with disbelief, as he notes at [25:22], "I do get a fair amount of pushback. I've had some agencies basically laugh and say, ha, ha, you know, whatever." However, persistence and providing credible evidence eventually lead to authorities taking action, as seen in the cases mentioned.

The Emotional Toll on Bob Innes Handling such grave requests has taken a personal toll on Bob. He describes the emotional burden at [19:43], stating, "It's tough. I have a pretty good support group around me to keep me sane, but there's a lot of people out there that need help." The constant influx of distressing messages has hardened him, yet he remains committed to preventing possible tragedies.

Global Implications The reach of rentahitman.com extends globally. In one instance, Bob received hundreds of assassination requests from Indonesia after an online influencer promoted the site on the dark web. Despite facing bureaucratic hurdles, Bob personally approached the Indonesian consulate to report these threats, demonstrating his unwavering dedication to stopping potential crimes ([28:48] - [30:42]).

Future Plans: Creating a Nonprofit Acknowledging the unsustainable nature of managing these threats single-handedly, Bob envisions establishing a nonprofit organization. This entity would focus on sifting through submissions, educating the public on internet safety, and improving collaboration with law enforcement. At [37:17], Bob emphasizes, "I would love the nonprofit that I am aiming to create...somebody that can communicate better with law enforcement than I can."

Reflection and Ethical Considerations The episode raises profound ethical questions about mental health and the justice system. Many individuals reaching out to rentahitman.com exhibit signs of severe psychological distress, necessitating a nuanced approach that balances intervention with compassionate care. Hannah Smith reflects, "Issues because they're not understanding that this isn't real. And I don't know that that."

Conclusion "Rent-A-Hitman: Murder, Interrupted" sheds light on the unintended consequences of a parody website becoming a beacon for real-world criminal intent. Through Bob Innes' vigilant efforts, several lives have been potentially saved, highlighting the critical intersection between internet anonymity, mental health, and law enforcement. The episode underscores the importance of awareness and proactive measures in the digital age to prevent heinous crimes before they occur.

Notable Quotes

• Bob Innes [07:18]: "There is a federal crime to hire someone to commit murder, even if it's never carried out."

• Bob Innes [10:20]: "Wow. Yeah, it was a kind of an awakening experience. I mean, it was a $9.20 website. It just basically saved the lives of three people and with little to no effort on my part."

• Patia Eaton [19:43]: "It's tough... I have a pretty good support group around me to keep me sane, but there's a lot of people out there that need help."

Impact on Listeners This episode not only informs listeners about the unexpected realities of internet anonymity but also highlights the human element behind digital platforms. It prompts reflection on how simple actions online can have profound real-world implications, emphasizing the need for responsible usage and proactive intervention in preventing crime.