Nearly 30 years ago, in 1991, journalist Danny Casolaro was declared dead due to an apparent suicide at the Sheraton Hotel in Martinsburg, West Virginia.
However, his family and several others suspected that he was killed by the so-called ‘The Octopus,’ an elusive organization that Casolaro had been investigating.
Who was actually Danny Casolaro?
Born on June 16, 1947, in McLean, Virginia, Danny Casolaro was an investigative journalist. He had an illustrious career that included covering significant events such as the Cold War and the Cuban Missile Crisis.
After studying at Providence College, Casolaro ventured into journalism before transitioning to selling IT publications.
Casolaro was well-known for investigating The Octopus, which he believed to be a secretive organization with ties to political scandals, unresolved murders, and stolen spyware.
What happened to Danny Casolaro?
On August 10, 1991, Danny Casolaro was found dead in room 517 at the Sheraton Hotel in Martinsburg, West Virginia.
Although authorities ruled his death as a suicide, many remained convinced that he was murdered by The Octopus.
At his funeral, a mysterious military officer placed a medal on the casket, and no one knew who he was.
Following his death, numerous reports revealed that Casolaro had received anonymous threats leading up to his death.
To this day, the unanswered questions surrounding his research remain a mystery.
Is ‘American Conspiracy: The Octopus Murders’ on Netflix?
American Conspiracy: The Octopus Murders is set to premiere on Netflix on February 28, 2024.
The docuseries will follow the journalist’s unfinished work and the efforts of photojournalist Christian Hansen to complete Casolaro’s research after his untimely death.