Don’t Fk With Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer** is one of those shows that grabs your attention from the moment you hear its name. Released on Netflix in December 2019, this three-part true crime documentary quickly went viral and sparked conversation worldwide. But unlike many other crime shows, Don’t Fk With Cats** dives deep into the world of internet sleuths, blending the gruesome details of a shocking murder case with the incredible power—and sometimes danger—of online communities.

So, what makes Don’t Fk With Cats** stand out from the typical true crime shows that have saturated our streaming services? It’s not just the disturbing crimes that it covers, but also the way in which the story unfolded and how regular internet users became amateur detectives, catching a killer in the process.

The Beginning: A Disturbing Viral Video

The story starts in 2010 with a horrifying video uploaded to the internet, showing a man killing two kittens by suffocating them in a plastic bag. The video went viral, but unlike the usual dark corners of the web where such content might be ignored or dismissed, this one caught the attention of animal lovers, activists, and ordinary people who were outraged and disturbed by the cruelty. The title of the series, Don’t Fk With Cats**, is a nod to the unspoken rule of the internet: mess with anything, but leave cats out of it.

One of those people was Deanna Thompson, an ordinary woman with a job in data analysis who became one of the show’s key figures. Using the alias Baudi Moovan on social media, Thompson started a Facebook group dedicated to finding out who was behind the kitten killings. What began as a small, passionate group of animal lovers quickly grew into an online community of internet sleuths, each determined to track down the person responsible.

The Hunt for the Killer

What makes Don’t Fk With Cats** so gripping is how the internet community worked together, using only the small clues available in the videos to find the perpetrator. They analysed every frame—identifying items in the room, listening for background noises, and even studying the vacuum cleaner seen in the video to try to pinpoint its origin.

The internet sleuths turned amateur detectives, combing through Google Maps, classified ads, and social media posts in their hunt for the culprit.

Their work led them to a chilling discovery: the man behind the kitten killings was a young Canadian named Luka Magnotta, a narcissistic individual obsessed with fame and notoriety. However, what started as animal cruelty would soon escalate into something far worse.

The Murder of Jun Lin

As the group continued to track Magnotta, they realised that he wasn’t done. A year after the kitten videos, another horrifying video appeared online, this time showing the brutal murder of Jun Lin, a 33-year-old Chinese student studying in Montreal. The video, titled 1 Lunatic 1 Ice Pick, depicted Magnotta killing Lin in a gruesome fashion, then dismembering his body. It was a horrifying escalation that shook the internet sleuths to their core.

The last time he was seen alive

The online group had already warned authorities that Magnotta would likely go on to harm humans, but their warnings went unheeded. However, this time, the authorities took action. Magnotta quickly became a wanted man, sparking an international manhunt.

The Internet Sleuths and Law Enforcement

One of the most fascinating aspects of Don’t Fk With Cats** is the interplay between the internet sleuths and law enforcement. While the sleuths had managed to track down Magnotta’s identity through the clues in his videos, it was ultimately the efforts of international law enforcement that led to his capture. Magnotta was apprehended in Berlin, Germany, after a worldwide search, and was later extradited to Canada, where he was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.

The series shines a light on the power of online communities and their ability to influence real-world events. It also raises important questions about the ethics of internet sleuthing. The Facebook group’s obsession with tracking Magnotta at times bordered on dangerous, and some viewers questioned whether the attention given to him by the group may have fuelled his need for fame and led to further violence.

A Cautionary Tale

Don’t Fk With Cats** is not just a story about catching a killer—it’s also a cautionary tale about the dark side of the internet. The series shows how online communities can be powerful forces for good, but also how they can become obsessive and even inadvertently play into the hands of those seeking attention. It’s a complex and gripping watch, combining the chilling world of true crime with the fascinating rise of internet sleuths.

For many viewers, the series left a lasting impact, not just because of the disturbing crimes it details, but because of the questions it raises about morality, responsibility, and the role of the internet in modern investigations. Don’t Fk With Cats** is a prime example of how the internet can both solve and complicate real-world mysteries, and it’s a must-watch for any true crime enthusiast.