‘American Conspiracy: The Octopus Murders’: Why a Chilling Scene About JFK’s Assassination Is Key to Docuseries

As visualized in Netflix’s provocative new four-episode series from the producers of “Wild Wild Country,” the Octopus is a vast, eight-limbed constellation of powerful names bent on geo-political domination. The connections between shadowy rogues and once-high-ranking figures like George H.W. Bush map out the “political conspiracy of the century” that could “re-write American history,” according to writer Danny Casolaro.

In 1991, Casolaro was found dead in a blood-splattered hotel room. The official story said it was a suicide (many believe he was murdered) and his unfinished investigation has remained a wellspring of great intrigue for more than three decades.

Articles, books, an episode of “Unsolved Mysteries” and even a dramatic play have explored Casolaro’s research into the convoluted latticework of software developers, the NSA, the DOJ, the CIA, arms dealers, casino bosses, thugs, thieves, hitmen, conmen, creeps, kingpins and regular average citizens.