Ep 8. Katrina Cannibal

In this episode of Haunted History, entitled "Katrina Cannibal," the focus is on the story of Rudy Eugene, a man who made headlines in Miami in May 2012 when he attacked and cannibalized a homeless man in broad daylight. The episode looks into the possible reasons behind Eugene's savage behavior and the history of cannibalism in various cultures throughout history.

The episode begins by introducing Rudy Eugene, who was 31 years old at the time of the attack. Eugene was a relatively unknown figure before the incident, but after news of the attack broke, he became a media sensation. The episode then delves into the events of that day, which took place in broad daylight on a busy highway in Miami. Witnesses watched in horror as Eugene brutally attacked a homeless man named Ronald Poppo, biting off large pieces of his face and gouging out his eyes.

The episode goes on to explore the aftermath of the attack, which left Poppo permanently disfigured and forever changed the lives of both men. Eugene was shot and killed by police on the scene, and his motives for the attack still remain unclear. The episode looks into the possibility that Eugene was under the influence of drugs, specifically bath salts, which were found in his system after the attack. The use of bath salts has been linked to other violent and bizarre behavior, but the exact effects of the drug are still not fully understood.

From there, the episode takes a deeper dive into the history of cannibalism, which has been a taboo practice in most cultures for centuries. The episode explores the different reasons why people have turned to cannibalism throughout history, including religious beliefs, cultural traditions, and desperation in times of famine. The episode also touches on the psychological factors that can lead people to engage in cannibalism, such as mental illness or a desire for power over others.

Throughout the episode, experts in psychology, criminology, and history provide their insights into the topic of cannibalism and the case of Rudy Eugene. They offer their opinions on what may have driven Eugene to commit such a brutal act, and the broader implications that the incident has for our understanding of human behavior. The episode is careful not to sensationalize the topic of cannibalism, instead focusing on providing a balanced and informative look into a disturbing aspect of human history and psychology.

In the end, "Katrina Cannibal" leaves viewers with a haunting question: what drives people to engage in such brutal acts of violence, and can we ever truly understand the motivations behind them? The episode offers no easy answers but provides a thought-provoking look into the darker aspects of human behavior and history.