Mentions of murder attempt and sexual assault.
Netflix’s The Kings Of Tupelo explores the series of events that led to a poisoned letter sent to President Obama and the man believed to be responsible – but in a twist, the prime suspect wasn’t the one behind this murder attempt. Netflix is home to some interesting and even wild documentary series, and its latest addition (and falling into the “wild” category) is The Kings Of Tupelo. This three-episode miniseries takes the audience to Tupelo, Mississippi, the birthplace of Elvis Presley and, as such, home to many Elvis fans and impersonators, among them Paul Kevin Curtis.
Kevin Curtis was born and raised in Tupelo and became a famous and successful Elvis impersonator, who later set up a show with his brother, who’s also an Elvis impersonator, that they called “Double Trouble.” Kevin later started working as a janitor, which led him to a disturbing discovery that unleashed a years-long investigation into the harvesting of human body parts. Kevin’s investigation earned him some powerful enemies, and one, in particular, went to extremes to shut him up, framing him for the poisoned letter sent to President Obama and three others.
Everett Dutschke Sent The Poisoned Letter To President Obama (& Others)
Senator Roger Wicker & Judge Sadie Holland Also Got Poisoned Letters
In April 2013, a letter containing ricin, a highly toxic protein, was sent to President Obama, but he wasn’t the only one. Mississippi Republican Senator Roger Wicker and Lee County Justice Court Judge Sadie Holland also received a poisoned letter, and they all came from Memphis, Tennessee. All three letters had the same message, which had clues that led the FBI to Kevin Curtis, such as a reference to his book Missing Pieces and his initials in the final line. Other details in the letters led to Kevin Curtis’ arrest shortly after.
Kevin was asked if he had any enemies who would want to hurt him, and he gave them Everett Dutschke’s name.
However, after interrogating Kevin and searching his home, investigators couldn’t find any evidence that linked Kevin to the letters, and he genuinely didn’t even know what ricin was (he actually thought they were talking about rice). Kevin was asked if he had any enemies who would want to hurt him, and he gave them Everett Dutschke’s name. Dutschke was a local politician who had tried to take state representative Steve Holland’s place in Tupelo but failed, and who used to publish his own newspaper.
Kevin met Dutschke when he was looking for someone to publish his investigation on the harvesting of human body parts, but Dutschke refused to publish anything about it. Their rivalry grew to the point where Dutschke, a highly intelligent man and member of Mensa, purchased castor oil plant seeds to extract ricin and send the letters to the above-mentioned people, crafting a letter that would lead investigators to Kevin.
Why Dutschke Sent The Poisoned Letters & Framed Kevin Curtis
Everett Dutschke & Kevin Curtis’ Rivalry Went Too Far
Everett Dutschke’s refusal to publish Kevin Curtis’ investigation was only the beginning of an intense rivalry. Dutschke also worked with Kevin’s brother, Jack, and became close to Kevin’s ex-wife, Laura, which only made Kevin’s dislike towards him grow. Kevin claims Dutschke was obsessed with him and Dutschke claims it was the other way around, and Kevin went to lengths to mess with Dutschke. Kevin made a Facebook profile called “Billy Bobby Body Parts”, where he shared photos of Dutschke’s wife and photoshopped himself onto Dutschke’s wedding photos, band photos, pics with other politicians, and more.
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10 Most Shocking Reveals From Netflix’s Kings Of Tupelo Docuseries
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In addition to that, Kevin started dressing like Dutschke, began to talk like him, studied karate as Dutschke was a well-known martial arts instructor, and even made a fake Mensa certificate for himself. In an effort to stop Kevin, Dutschke came up with the plan of sending the poisoned letters, but after authorities searched his home, they found enough evidence that he was the one who sent the letters, such as a coffee grinder used to extract the ricin and the receipt of his purchase of castor oil seeds.
On April 27, 2013, Dutschke was arrested, and though he denied the allegations through his lawyer, he was charged with attempted use of a biological weapon that same day. Kevin Curtis was freed and gave many interviews and appeared on various TV shows, while Dutschke pleaded guilty in May 2014 and was sentenced to 25 years in prison.
Before this, Dutschke was arrested for indecent exposure, child molestation, and sexual assault.
What Happened To Dutschke & Curtis After The Poisoned Letters
Everett Dutschke & Kevin Curtis Finally Agree On Something
The poisoned letters scandal led Kevin Curtis to understand what’s truly important and what his “missing piece” really was, which is his family, as he had left them aside for years in favor of his investigation. Kevin quit his investigation on the black market for human body parts and decided to focus on his family, but The Kings Of Tupelo catches up with him nine months later. After Googling Dutschke’s case and finding a photo that involved his lawyer’s husband, Kevin concluded that Dutschke might have been working for the CIA, was framed, and is actually innocent.
Dutschke also believes he was framed and there’s a lot more to uncover about his case, but insists that it has nothing to do with Kevin Curtis.
From prison, Dutschke confirms that he worked for the CIA and had been given dangerous information that would have been bad for Obama and his people, and as he refused to relinquish it, he became a target. Dutschke also believes he was framed and there’s a lot more to uncover about his case, but insists that it has nothing to do with Kevin Curtis. It’s unknown if there will be another investigation into Dutschke’s case following the release of The Kings Of Tupelo, but for now, he’s serving his sentence.
Kings of Tupelo
An Elvis impersonator becomes ensnared in a conspiracy theory, reflecting on small-town challenges and the perils of online misinformation. Set against the backdrop of Southern life, the series delves into themes of identity and the search for meaning amidst swirling rumors and digital age conflicts.
- Release Date
- December 11, 2024
- Directors
- Maclain Way , Chapman Way
