American Conspiracy: The Octopus Murders is the latest documentary in Netflix’s impressive collection of true crime content. The Octopus Murders is a wild name with an even wilder story. It tells the story of Danny Casolaro, a journalist, and his untimely death while researching a conspiracy called “The Octopus.” Because it covered everything from money laundering to spyware to Ronald Reagan’s Iran-Contra scandal, Casolaro thought the term “Octopus” was appropriate given the number of legs attached to the fishy conspiracy.
The Octopus Murders, directed by Zachary Treitz and produced by Duplass Brothers Productions, will feature both archival footage of Casolaro and an updated look at the work he was doing before his death. Christian Hansen, a photojournalist, hopes to untie some of the tangled narrative by picking up where Casolaro left off.
Danny Casolaro, a journalist, was discovered dead in the bathtub of the Sheraton Hotel in Martinsburg, West Virginia, in 1991. Casolaro’s death was initially ruled a suicide, but doubts and suspicions remained over time.
Who was Danny Casolaro?
Casolaro was born on June 16, 1947, in McLean, Virginia. Before focusing on investigative journalism, he had a diverse background. He began reporting on the Cold War and the Cuban Missile Crisis before moving on to sell IT publications. His renewed interest in journalism prompted him to look into a covert organization he called “The Octopus.”
Casolaro believed that The Octopus was made up of eight powerful figures linked to political scandals, unsolved murders, and espionage. He devised a timeline that linked various geopolitical events, such as the Inslaw case, the Iran-Contra crisis, and the demise of the Bank of Credit and Commerce International.
What happened to Danny Casolaro?
Prior to his murder, Casolaro told colleagues and family that he had received threatening phone calls and was frustrated by his inability to secure a book deal to publish his research on The Octopus. However, his untimely death on August 10, 1991, astounded many people.
Casolaro’s death scene was chilling, with his lifeless body in the bathtub, wrists slashed and blood everywhere. Despite the fact that alarming evidence was discovered on the scene, authorities determined that Casolaro committed suicide. However, questions arose after it was discovered that certain FBI data related to the case had been suppressed.
Casolaro’s family strongly opposed the suicide verdict, citing a lack of conclusive evidence and the ongoing abuse he endured. Casolaro’s murder was rumored to have been planned by people who were afraid of his discoveries about the Octopus.
Even after many years, Danny Casolaro’s death remains a mystery. Official records may indicate that it was a suicide, but questions and concerns remain, leaving a fascinating legacy surrounding the daring journalist’s life and sudden death.