The Serpent & the Diplomat

In the 60s and 70s, thousands of Western tourists travelled along "The Hippie Trail".

Disillusioned and war-weary, they sought spiritual enlightenment, adventure, and the pursuit of alternative lifestyles, as they backpacked through Western Europe and Southeast Asia.

But some of them never made it home. There was a predator waiting for them.

A serial killer.

Charles Sobhraj was a chameleon/master of disguise who spoke 7 languages, was wanted by the police in 23 countries and had escaped prison 15 times. Highly intelligent and extraordinarily manipulative, Sobhraj and his Canadian girlfriend, evaded authorities in multiple countries for decades.

A 28 year old, junior Dutch diplomat in Bangkok began investigating the string of murders in his spare time. Despite having no relevant training, Herman Knippenberg was the linchpin that helped the authorities capture this evasive murderer.

One was a sadistic serial killer , and the other brought his reign of terror to an end.

Guess which one was rewarded with a $15 million movie deal for his life story?