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The diplomat turned detective: Hunting 'The Serpent'

In mid 70s Bangkok, Dutchman Herman Knippenberg was tasked with finding two missing travellers. He discovered the couple were victims of serial killer Charles Sobhraj.

In the 1970s a serial killer was on the loose in South East Asia. His name was Charles Sobhraj, better known as 'The Serpent'. When tourists began going missing, or turning up dead, Dutch diplomat Herman Knippenberg was tasked with investigating the disappearances. The chilling evidence he uncovered put Sobhraj behind bars with a life sentence.
There are disturbing descriptions throughout this episode.

The hit TV show The Serpent is available now on BBC iPlayer and Netflix.

Get in touch: [email protected]

Presenter and producer: Saskia Edwards

Picture: Collage of promotional photos from BBC One and Netflix's The Serpent and Herman Knippenberg's personal collection
Credit: BBC / © Mammoth Screen and Herman Knippenberg

Available now

27 minutes

Last on

Sun 23 May 202122:32GMT

Broadcasts

  • Sat 22 May 202108:32GMT
  • Sun 23 May 202108:32GMT
  • Sun 23 May 202122:32GMT

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Podcast: Lives Less Ordinary

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