The infamous Micki Pistorius. Ah!
(BOTH CHUCKLE)
How does it feel being back in Cape Town?
Mm, took a bit of getting used to.
Why, has it changed that much?
No, I suppose it's more about me than the surroundings.
You want me to tell you about the girls, don't you?
What I did to them.
We need to put more pressure on him. No, no. I'm tired of games.
He's not going to admit it. We've been forced to release him.
But there are women dying out there, Rikus.
There's nothing else we can do.
Are you giving up?
MARK: Don't let him get to you.
Until you find something concrete why tear yourself inside out?
Because he's walking free and I know what he's capable of.
It's not your fault. It is my fault.
(SNIFFLES)
There's just so many dead women.
I have to go deeper.
(OPENING THEME PLAYS)
(MOUTHS SILENTLY)
Shane has been missing for two days.
He's 12 and he lives here in Algoa Park.
This is Shane.
Can you hand out, please? Thank you.
Shane's mother thought he might have been staying
with his grandmother,
but if he had planned to go there, he never made it.
Thank you again, all of you, for joining the search.
Let's try and bring this little boy home.
If you start out that way,
you guys fan out that way and I'll go here.
Do you have a dog?
Have you found anything back there?
Not yet.
Thank you for agreeing to the interview.
Our readers are going to love it.
You know, I would have been happy to meet you at your motel.
You said.
You don't like to give anything away, do you?
You wear a fringe so it covers your eyes and...
..whenever you look in your bag, you make sure I can't see what's inside.
Are you playing psychologist now?
Not me.
But what made you want to become one?
A psychologist, that is.
Um... Well, I was a journalist first.
Then later, I went on to study psychology.
I was interested in the works of Freud, Jung.
They say psychoanalysis is the study of the id by the odd.
(CHUCKLES)
(PEN SCRATCHES)
And what made you want to study serial killers?
It's a strange choice of specialism.
Um... Well, I was drawn to the work of Robert Ressler.
Ressler...
His book, Whoever Fights Monsters, was a huge influence.
Whoever Fights Monsters.
Wow, that's really great.
The point is they're not monsters.
Ah.
But the Cannibal Killer...
..how many victims?
Nine? 10?
Defenceless women.
Young boys. His own daughter.
They're human beings. Huh.
OK.
They're tortured souls.
You can't think of them as monsters if you want to catch them.
They're more dangerous than that.
WOMAN: Um, reservation for one.
Yeah. Dr Micki Pistorius.
Perfect. OK, this is yours.
Enjoy your stay. Thank you. Thank you very much.
WOMAN: (OVER PHONE) So are you going to be able
to get to interview Stewart Wilken before the trial?
Yeah.
Robert Ressler built his career on interviews like this in the States.
Oh.
Stewart Wilken is one of a kind.
Boetie Boer, the cannibal killer. He's terrifying.
So, who's your chaperone been? Martin Caywood.
Is he any good?
Might give you a run for your money.
OK, so the Nasrec murders in Joburg.
Um, let's go through what we have so far.
(DISTANT INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(VEHICLE APPROACHES)
(ENGINE STOPS, DOORS OPENS)
Next stop on our tour of Boetie Boers - the murder scenes.
This is where he killed Shane Miller?
His last victim.
Six children, all boys except his daughter, Sonia.
Four adult women, all prostitutes.
It's partly why no-one picked up on him for so long.
Different types of victims, no clear links.
That's what makes him so fascinating.
His different sets of victims and approaches to them.
The prostitutes he brags about, displays their bodies.
The children he hides.
After Wilken confessed he brought me here.
How long did it take to get the confession?
Not long. I kind of set him up.
How do you mean?
I put a picture of my kid facing him.
The cutest one I could find.
She's looking straight at the camera in it.
She's about two or three, is as good as gold.
I had this hunch that it would get to him.
And it did.
Couldn't stop staring at it.
I think he felt like he was being judged.
Clever.
This is where it happened?
Boetie had been on his way to visit Shane's family
when he bumped into the boy on the road back there.
He joined the search.
The sergeant heading up the case heard that Boetie
was the last person to be seen with another boy who'd gone missing.
So, she joined the dots.
Boetie Boer. Little Brother.
Why is he called that?
It's what he calls himself, ever since he's been a kid.
He didn't tell me why.
He's reminding himself he's someone's son.
Someone's brother, maybe.
That's what I was thinking but...
..I'm not the psychologist.
No, but you understand him, don't you?
What are you saying?
Well, when you talk about him, there's warmth in your voice.
Affection even.
I wouldn't go that far.
But you'll see when you meet him, it's hard to hate him.
He's...like a big kid who's done bad things.
He's unlike anyone I've ever met.
Hate the sin, not the sinner?
Something like that.
You OK?
And places hold on to the memory of things that happened within them.
It changes the energy.
It's bad here.
He came back...
..visiting the body after he'd killed him.
Numerous times.
He's in your head, isn't he?
Yeah.
Yeah, he is.
(MICKI READS INDISTINCTLY)
OK. His childhood.
Why does he call himself Boetie Boer?
What does that name reveal about him?
Types of victim.
Can he explain victim choice?
Were they opportunistic or driven by different impulses?
(KNOCK AT DOOR)
Hey. Hello.
How are you? Alright.
I'm sorry, I've got some bad news.
Yeah. What?
Stewart doesn't want to talk to you.
Oh, why?
I don't know. He read the interview.
He thinks you're a bitch that's out to get him.
Oh, he's twisted everything.
They tend to do that.
No, but I didn't say that. Fucking hell.
That's why I don't even give them the time of day
'cause they'll always do this.
(SIGHS)
That's his wife.
WOMAN: All rise.
Be seated.
You may bring in the accused.
(DOOR OPENS)
(CHAINS CLINKS)
Mr Wilken, you may stand.
The accused stands trial on nine counts of murder...
..and four counts of rape.
Mr Wilken, how do you plead to these charges?
Not guilty.
Mr Wilken, you may be seated.
It should be noted that these crimes are unusual in their sadism.
And that the evidence is of a highly distressing nature.
It's not going to be an easy process for anyone to witness.
The court will break for a short recess,
and then we will hear from our first witness.
Mr Miller.
I appreciate your taking the time to appear here today.
I know it must be incredibly painful for you.
I shall hand over to Advocate Hofmeyer
for the prosecution.
Mr Miller, you knew the accused, is that right?
Yes. He had stayed with us.
You were friends?
My wife, Carol, Shane's mom.
She...
I think she was friends with his wife, Rihanna.
They were having problems.
And when Shane was reported missing,
the accused joined in the search, pretending to want to help.
Is that correct?
Yes.
Not to help.
He wanted to hide his crime.
Thank you.
I have one more difficult question
and then I'll let you go.
Is there any truth to the accused accusation
that you beat Shane?
I know he said that.
I know, he says we...
He says we abused Shane.
He says that's why he killed him.
To free the boy from pain.
He doesn't have the humanity...
..to shoulder what he did.
So he lies about me and my wife.
I'm sorry I had to ask you that but it is all important.
I have no further questions.
Mr Miller, you're excused.
(CHAINS CLINK)
HENNIE: I'm sorry you didn't get your interview.
I can give evidence without it.
It's just such a huge case.
He's the worst we've had for years.
So I want to understand that.
Twisted, huh?
Catching these guys.
Trying to get them to open up
so that you have something in common with them, you know.
The danger is you do it too well.
You start to feel comfortable with them.
Yes.
They're out there.
Winning the race.
(LOUD KNOCK AT DOOR) (GASPS)
(EXHALES DEEPLY)
(SIGHS)
(KNOCK AT DOOR)
I see you carried on, then.
Lifesaver.
There's been a bit of a change of plan on your testimony today.
You're going to need that. The defence has called you instead.
I'll see you there.
(EXHALES SHARPLY)
Ah! You've pulled it together well.
Not my first hungover rodeo.
Um, when did the prosecution change their mind?
And why? Last night.
They think they've got plenty to prove their case without you.
Might have been a bad steer, because his defence jumped on it.
I guess they think you'll help get him a reduced sentence.
(BOTTLE RATTLES)
You alright over there? Mm.
Yep. Let's go.
Micki. Hi. Ready?
Look, I'll be asking you to fill us in on where he fits
into the overall picture.
How his childhood led him to do all of this?
Dr Gelman will also be giving testimony for us.
I'm hoping that the judge will agree that Wilken is not fully culpable.
My job is to explain behaviour to the judge, that's it.
Well, it's not like I have lots of people lining up to speak for him.
I swear.
Hardus van Graan for the defence.
Dr Pistorius.
Could you give the court a picture?
of how the behaviour of the accused might be understood?
First, it is important to remember
that there is no such thing as a typical serial killer.
Every serial killer is different. Unique.
Just like us in that respect.
So, what is a serial killer?
A person who murders several victims,
usually strangers, at different times.
Is there a common motive?
No. Motive is linked to development and, as such, is variable.
Could you elaborate?
Serial killers frequently develop fixations.
These arise from one of the psychosexual development phases.
JUDGE: Mr Nyosi, I understand this is difficult
but please remain silent.
And with this defendant, what was his motive?
The defendant has, we can surmise, an oral fixation.
Not unexpected, given the extreme sexual abuse
he endured as a young child.
Can you explain why?
Yes.
The defendant was abandoned at the age of six months by his mother.
He was not breastfed.
He mutilated the breasts of his victims.
Symbolically, he cuts the breast to get to the milk.
He also ate the nipples of more than one victim.
Cannibalism is also associated with the oral phase,
which takes place between birth and two years old.
As you'll recognise, this fits with when the defendant was abandoned.
The defendant is also unusual in that he killed
two distinct types of victim.
One was prostitutes -
women who resembled his mother, on whom he could vent his rage.
The others were young boys...
..who represented himself.
In killing them, he's effectively killing the child he once was.
Over and over again.
But the abuse the accused suffered was unusually severe,
is that correct? It was.
But, as you know, many people suffer abuse.
They do not all go on to abuse or to kill.
But he was abandoned, then abused multiple times.
Indeed.
His most basic needs - hunger, security were neglected.
He was undernourished, terribly abused.
He learned early to act in sadistic ways as a defence.
As a young boy, he frequently bit his foster-mother
and he went on to do the same to several of his victims.
They were bitten on toes, breasts, genitals.
When he ate the nipples of one of his victims...
No!
Her name was Violet Nyosi and she was my daughter.
Mr Nyozi...
..sit down and keep quiet.
Otherwise, I shall have you removed.
I understand.
The accused also sodomised many of his victims.
Was that symbolic also?
Additionally, the accused has a fixation
in the anal phase of development.
This is control-oriented. (BREATHES DEEPLY)
He stated in his confession that he enjoyed the pain of his victims
when he was sodomising them.
(BREATHES DEEPLY) (CHAINS CLINK)
You pig!
(BREATHES DEEPLY)
(GROANS)
(PANTS)
(GROANING)
(SHRIEKING)
(SOBBING)
JUDGE: There is, in your professional opinion,
no chance that the accused can be taught to control his urges?
Absolutely not.
Even the most minor of stresses will trigger violence in him.
Please understand, if the accused is free, he will kill again.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Not hungry?
Too oily.
I think I might get myself a piece of cake.
(FOOTSTEPS APPROACH)
I saw that.
I'm going to ask if you can help persuade Stewart to talk to me.
Hi. Hello.
Um, Advocate, I was very much hoping to speak to Stewart in person.
I know. He wasn't interested.
Do you think he might be persuaded
now that he's seen I'm not out to get him?
I doubt it.
Could you ask?
Please, it's so important to my research.
He's such an unusual case.
I'll ask him.
Don't get your hopes up.
Thank you.
(CHAIN CLINKS)
JUDGE: Mr Wilken, you may stand.
(CHAIN CLINKS)
Mr Wilken.
You have been found guilty of...
(CLAPPING)
..guilty of killing seven people.
And yet at no point in this trial
have you shown any emotion or remorse?
There is no question in my mind
that you intended to kill every one of your victims...
..and that you continue to pose the most terrible danger.
If I could hand down the death penalty, I would do so.
But I do not have that option.
So, I propose that the accused serve seven life sentences...
..to run concurrently.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYS)
(DOOR OPENS)
Thanks, Erika. Give me that good sugar.
(CHUCKLES) Yes, ma'am.
All the diabetes all the time. Thank you.
So, I noticed something on the Nasrec case.
One of Bongani's victims came from Newcastle.
And on Nasrec, Vuyile was on her way to Newcastle
when she went missing.
Hm. Could be something.
Good work.
I'll let everyone Ruan know and we'll trace it through.
You're doing really well.
Um, I got given my own case.
Oh. That is amazing.
Um...
You really deserve it. You're gonna fly.
Yeah, I'm sure I'll still be needing your advice.
Oh, um...
..this came in for you earlier.
He said yes.
I'm going to meet Boetie Boer.
(CLANGING)
(DOOR UNLOCKS)
Howzit, Stewart.
Yeah, OK, Martin.
Howzit? Hello, Stewart.
Thank you for agreeing to talk to me.
Martin said you were alright.
You wouldn't talk to me before.
What made you change your mind?
The trial.
You were on my side.
You understand me.
Would you like a cigarette?
I'm going to take mine outside.
Would you mind leaving the lighter? Yeah.
Thank you.
Here.
Tell me about your childhood.
What's the worst thing that happened to you?
Um...
My foster dad wouldn't get me a toy red engine.
I wanted it so bad, he said no.
Said I was useless.
When I was eight, I started smoking dope.
He wasn't a good man...
..your foster-father?
No, he burned me with cigarettes.
I ate from dog bowls.
When I was adopted, I thought it would stop, but...
..it never stopped.
They sent me to a school where deacon buggered me too.
When I complained, they locked me in a cupboard.
Everyone in your life failed you.
How did that make you feel?
Um...
Bad.
It made you feel bad like...
..sad inside?
Yes.
But also bad like...
..like I was bad.
A bad boy. Useless.
My foster-parents call me Stewart.
I am Boetie Boer.
When did the fantasies start?
Young. I...I don't remember the first time.
So you always had them?
Fantasies about sodomising others,
raping women, killing?
As long as I can remember, I...
I always wanted to.
And then I did. I started and...
..I didn't want to stop.
You couldn't stop until you were caught.
I learned a lot by that time, I...
..I watched the police and how they work the scenes.
It's only Martin who got me to want to confess.
Hm.
After the bodies were found. The early ones, yeah.
Learned not to leave hairs behind that they can match with mine.
I...I had to make sure the bodies didn't rot too quick
so I can go back to them.
I need to toss.
Can I go? Yes.
Thank you for asking. I'll keep this.
What was that all about?
Uh, he said he needed a moment alone.
Lovely. (EXHALES SHARPLY)
Is he talking?
He is.
He's a complicated guy, hey.
Yeah.
Do you want a smoke?
(CLANGING)
Did you wash your hands?
Look.
Good, boy. Sit down.
Now, can you tell me why you hid the bodies of the boys
but left those of the prostitutes out on display?
I hid the boys because I wanted to go back to them,
to have sex with them.
I...I kept them dry.
I stuck newspapers up their arses to keep the maggots out, you know?
Mm-hm.
And the prostitutes?
Well, sex is a gift from God.
No man should pay for it.
I...I left them out for everyone to see the wrong they had done.
What about Sonia, your daughter?
I mean, that was different.
Yeah. She was my little girl.
I missed her, so...
She told me she was being abused.
By her stepfather? Yeah.
She should have been with me.
He was hurting her so I went from Happy Valley to go get her.
Sorry, what's that?
Happy Valley?
It's a park near the beach.
I slept there. It's a nice place for children.
There...there are fairies and lights, and...
I wanted to show her how nice it was.
And I kept it safe there.
You killed her to keep her safe.
I slept next to her and I held her.
We were very happy.
Is there anything you want to ask me, Stewart?
Um...
Why did it take you so long to catch me?
Why did we?
Well, I was tired of killing.
But I could never have stopped until you stopped me.
I know.
Trust me, I...
..I know.
Did try.
So, I tracked down his blood mother.
Now, that's a chat I don't want to have again.
Telling a woman that the baby she abandoned more than 30 years ago
turned out to be a fine, upstanding serial killer and cannibal.
The news every mother wants to hear, no?
Is she going to see him?
You should take a holiday.
Go lie by a pool.
Have some cocktails, get your toenails painted.
You know, get away from work for a while.
Sounds nice.
So, you should do it.
People worry about you, you know?
(EXHALES SHARPLY)
You know why I can't take that holiday.
You heard him.
He was never going to stop by himself.
It's down to us.
To me.
There's always another case coming in.
Another killer starting up.
Dreaming.
Fantasising.
Those men are out there.
And then... (INHALES)
(EXHALES)
..they're in here.
(SOFT CLATTERING)
Can I help with anything?
No. It's ready.
Nice.
Oh, this smells great. Thank you.
Tuck in.
Cheers.
Mmm! This is delicious.
Yeah, the guy who makes it is a real character.
How did your interview go?
Oh.
It was, um...
..useful, intense, not completely what I expec...
I don't know.
The guy's committed some of the worst crimes I've ever heard about.
Sadistic.
He has no remorse for what he's done. None.
And yet he's...
I can't imagine what those families have gone through.
You know he deserves to fucking die.
If I ever met him...
..I couldn't be held responsible, if you know what I mean.
Yeah.
I don't know how you even were in the same room as him.
(EXHALES SOFTLY) No, it's a...a very intense thing.
Hey.
He's been freaking out since last week
but the governor only called me yesterday.
Figured you might be able to help calm him down.
OK. Sure.
Thanks for making it so quick.
Right.
Yeah, we tried everything.
Threats. Persuasion.
Withholding privileges.
What privileges? Food.
(NERVOUS BREATHING)
Hello, Stewart. Get back!
It's Micki, Stewart.
They're coming to get me.
You're safe here, Stewart. No-one can hurt you.
I know you feel scared.
(BREATHES NERVOUSLY)
You're safe here.
The sea.
I want to see the sea. I want to see...
It's going to burn me.
They're here. They're here.
Who... Who's here?
Who's here, Stewart?
There's acid coming through the wall.
Through that wall?
Is there something else there, too?
Someone?
All of them.
OK.
You are safe now, OK?
You are safe now, Stewart, OK?
Please take me away.
No. It's OK.
You're safe here.
No-one can hurt you.
I think you're very tired.
Do you think you're very tired? Yeah.
Would you like to have a lie-down?
Yeah, I think it would make you feel better.
Come on, now.
You think you could do that for me?
Yeah. Good boy.
Go on. You can let go.
That's do good.
It's so cold.
It's nice, isn't it?
Just breathe.
(EXHALES SHARPLY)
He's seeing all the people he killed.
And I think he's reverted to his childhood state.
He's in prison but his demons are still inside him.
He can't release them by killing anymore.
Can't use that violence to soothe his pain.
So they've turned on him.
Haven't they, Stewart?
(GRUNTS)
You were a good boy.
You...
You deserve that, you bitch. Fuck you!
I was trying to save you.
(GROANS)
(SOBS)
(CRIES)
(SCREAMS)
(SCREAMS, CRIES)
Captions by Red Bee Media (c) SBS Australia 2024