Tenderfoot TV and iHeartMedia’s podcast, The Monster, tells the story of a serial killer who terrorized Belgium in the ’80s and ’90s. In June 1995, two eight-year-old Belgian girls, Julie Lejeune and Mélissa Russo, disappeared while playing in their Liège. neighborhood. His kidnapping and homicides were related to serial killer, pedophile and kidnapper Marc Dutroux, who later became known as “The Monster. “Dutroux and his accomplices are guilty of the kidnapping and murder of several young women in Belgium. The lack of action through local and federal government in Belgium has created a sense of distrust and shaped conspiracy theories that explain why some DNA tests have never been fully explored. After Dutroux’s arrest, 400,000 Belgians took to the streets in a protest that reshaped the country’s justice system.
In the 10-episode series, now available, host Matt Graves explores the case and its effect on the country. Graves is a Texas resident who moved to Belgium at the time of those events and witnessed the chaos firsthand. Monster includes interviews with former officers, members of the circle of relatives of those involved, investigative hounds and judicial authorities.
I spoke with Graves about what he hopes The Monster will bring to his listeners. We also discussed your joie de vivre in Belgium in those days and whether you think the country has been able to get by thanks to this case.
Risa Sarachan: You’ve known (and live) this story since you moved to Belgium in the mid-90s. What are you going to tell now and in this format?
Matt Graves: The main inspiration for telling this story is the story itself. Aside from the horrific nature of this tragedy, the genuine story is frankly almost unbelievable. Police incompetence, criminal conspiracy, cover-up, witness murders, and criminal robbery to name a few. I started it even before I had a publisher and the more I delved into the story, the more fascinated I became. As I was introduced to some of the key players involved in the case, that fascination only grew. I’m a huge fan and on the strength of long storytelling and the podcast medium is the most productive for this type of art and journalism. Working with Tenderfoot TV has been amazing as they take it all in. When I first discussed the assignment with Donald Albright, president and co-founder of Tenderfoot TV, I asked him “what kind of deadlines do you set for assignments like this?” and his answer was “how much time do you need?” It was a dream come true for me and I was actually excited and inspired by the way he and his team approached the task. Tenderfoot takes another point of care when it comes to his veins and research.
Sarachan: I read that you were also making plans to launch a French edition of the podcast. Why is it vital to do so?
Graves: We are finding things that may be only the long term of this case. To create the viral effect that a podcast can have in terms of moving the needle in a case, we’ll have to publish in French.
Sarachan: I enjoyed the private stories you shared in small fragments of the episodes. When you think about that moment, what memories of the case actually emerge?
Graves: I’m so glad you said that and asked me that question. Moving to another country is a first update and creates memories you probably won’t forget. I knew the attractions and smells very well when I arrived in Belgium. It was summer, and other people live much more on the streets here than in America when the weather is nice. Fresh fruit in open markets, cafes and terraces full of other people enjoying drinks and jokes, it was a very exciting time for me when I was twenty-five years old. I too do the damn ones who lack youth leaflets everywhere. They were in subways, supermarkets and car windows. He was unhappy because the parents went above and beyond, only to be abused by the police, the justice formula and members of the press. Basically, everyone was telling them that their young children were dead and they had to settle for it, but in reality, the parents were right. If the police and the justice formula had acted more aggressively, their young people would probably have been saved.
Sarachan: Obviously, this case has led to a major reform in Belgium and a general distrust of those whom it is intended to protect. Do you think the country has recovered?
Graves: I think the country has made unexpected progress, actually. There is room for improvement, but I think it is now much bigger and more transparent.
Sarachan: What do you hope The Monster will bring its listeners?
Graves: A well-told story. I would also like to think that we can move towards solving some unanswered questions. I hope that when attention attendants connect to the Monster every Tuesday, anywhere they listen to podcasts, they will master a deeper understanding of the instances and data that can lead to new discoveries.
This interview has been edited and summarized for clarity.
The Monster must now be heard on iHeartRadio and all podcast platforms, and new episodes will be released next Tuesday. Listen to the trailer HERE.