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Outlook: Hunting 'The Serpent': The diplomat turned detective

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Picture: collage of promotional photos from BBC One and Netflix's The Serpent and Herman Knippenberg's personal collection

21/06/2021 GMT

Hunting 'The Serpent': The diplomat turned detective

BBC World Service - Outlook, Hunting 'The Serpent': The diplomat turned detective

An unlikely investigator on the trail of serial killer Charles Sobhraj

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.

There are disturbing descriptions throughout this episode that some listeners may find upsetting.

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.

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)

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