True-Crime Podcast Queen Havoc and Her Murder Cult Premieres

 Americans think they have a monopoly on so much that is good or bad in society. And sometimes it's true. Americans do corner the world market on daily, indiscriminate gun violence. But they don't have exclusive rights to transphobia and homophobia, which sadly exists in too many nations. That's right, we're looking at you, Saudi Arabia.

Maybe because of the explosion of true-crime tales in TV, books and podcasting, Americans also believe that the serial killer is another grotesque invention of American culture.

Unfortunately, it's not. Witness a true-crime tale of a South African serial killer.

iHeartPodcasts and School of Humans have just released Queen Havoc and Her Murder Cult, a new true-crime podcast hosted by award-winning filmmaker Kurt Kubicek. The ten-part narrative series follows the mayhem caused by the woman known as the Charles Manson of South Africa. The cult leader Cecilia Steyn and her devotees in Electus Per Deus (Chosen by God) murdered 11 innocent people over the course of four years.

In Queen Havoc and her Murder Cult, host Kubicek travels to Krugersdorp, South Africa: the mining town just west of Johannesburg that was terrorized by these brutal serial killings.

Kubicek peels back this twisted story to reveal exploitation of belief systems, leveraging the occult as a scapegoat for murder, and how repeated abuse and fear can push seemingly normal people to unspeakable violence.

He uncovers new information and a trail of police corruption through exclusive interviews with detectives from the South African Police Service, journalists who covered the case and ensuing trial, and even some of the former cult members themselves. Those who managed to stay alive.

Queen Havoc and her Murder Cult is ultimately a podcast about manipulation, murder, and the longing to belong.

Host Kurt Kubicek is an International Award-Winning Filmmaker (Best Director, Best Drama). He has been producing and directing films, documentaries, commercials, comedy specials and music videos over the last decade. His films can be streamed on multiple platforms, including 1/10 of a Second, Un Regalo Esencial (An Essential Gift), and Jamie Kennedy's latest comedy special, Stoopid Smart.

In Kubicek’s podcast debut, Queen Havoc and Her Murder Cult, he explores the human condition and the extreme lengths to which individuals will go to find a sense of belonging.

The first two episodes of Queen Havoc and Her Murder Cult are available, with new episodes launching every Tuesday.

iHeart's partner in this venture is School of Humans, which is a multi-platform production company producing series for television (Dirty Jobs, Stuff You Should Know). The company launched its audio division with the hit true-crime podcast HELL AND GONE. 

I recommend Queen Havoc and Her Murder Cult. It's more than your run-of-the-mill true-crime podcast. The show benefits from the artful direction and adept hosting of documentarian Kurt Kubicek, and a narrative that points out the exploitation of cultural norms and beliefs to commit murder.




 

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