103: Identity Theft pt.1: Poisonous Postage

Revenge is a dish best served cold, or sometimes through the mail. This week, Maia covers something we can only describe as "a story like Tiger King". Full of outlandish characters and incredible quotes. How could someone like Paul Kevin Curtis poison you through the mail? How does one make ricin? And how far will someone like James Everett Dutschke go to get back at an online bully? Join us as we uncover the world of Elvis Impersonators, Conspiracy Theories, and Southern Charm.

In this wildly unpredictable episode, Grant and Maia trace the slippery journey from castor oil’s squeaky-clean reputation to its deadly counterpart, ricin—a toxin 6,000 times more lethal than cyanide. After exploring castor oil’s ancient uses and ricin’s sinister history (umbrella assassinations and poisoned pen letters, anyone?), things take a truly bizarre turn with the story of Paul Kevin Curtis, a Mississippi janitor and Elvis tribute act who spirals from organ-harvesting conspiracy theorist to the prime suspect in a 2013 ricin mail scare that rocked D.C. Packed with Cold War drama, FBI raids, public meltdowns, and a seriously unhinged detour through small-town politics. This episode blends science, scandal, and Southern Gothic chaos into one unforgettable tale. Check out "Kings of Tupelo", the 3-part docuseries covered in this episode.

Chapters/Key takeaways to listen for

[00:00:00] Catch-Up
[00:18:54] Poisonous Postage: From prehistoric ointments to the 1888 discovery of ricin
[00:40:10] The Letter: Judge Sadie Holland gets a ricin-laced letter
[00:54:20] Let's Go Back: Meet Paul Kevin Curtis (aka “KC”), the letter-writer turned headline
[00:56:19] Kings of Tupelo: Elvis’s hometown, his twin tragedy
[01:12:11] The Trigger: Hospital janitor Curtis uncovers body parts clogging the morgue drain
[01:19:54] Dial-Up Vigilante: Armed with a Gateway 2000 and AOL dial-up
[01:42:54] Big Moves: Real bone-and-valve trafficking rings get busted in New Jersey
[01:47:27] J. Everett Dutschke: Who is hired by Curtis at an insurance agency and steps into his conspiracy crosshairs
[02:26:48] HBR 6631 and Steve Holland: Curtis’s “House Bill 6631” to ban illicit body parts lands on Rep. Steve Holland’s desk
[02:34:07] Between the Lines: Red-string time, hospital execs, sheriffs, DAs, judges
[02:51:48] Red Stringing: Full pamphleteer, door-to-door rants, viral videos, DA threats
[03:01:32] The Crime: Self-published book as proof of a shadowy organ-harvesting cabal
[03:22:43] Feuding Fire Ants: Ex-wife Laura leans on brother Jack
[03:34:43] True Identity: Jack’s “achievement drive” vs. Kevin’s spiraling obsession
[03:50:33] The Conspiracy Lives On: Twenty-plus arrests later, Curtis still blogs, tweets & rants

Photos Referenced

*Paul Kevin Curtis in his Elvis outfit - courtesy of Netflix*

Jack Curtis as Elvis - courtesy of a Tupelo Elvis Fan Club advertising a concert in 2019 on Facebook	Jack Curtis as featured in the Kings of Tupelo docuseries on Netflix - courtesy of Netflix
Curtis family (Kevin Curtis and Laura Curtis and 3 kids) - courtesy of Netflix	James Everett Dutschke (April 23, 2013)

Steve Holland as featured in the Kings of Tupelo docuseries on Netflix - courtesy of Netflix — *Steve Holland as featured in the* Kings of Tupelo docuseries on Netflix - courtesy of Netflix

*Curtis Family and friends at the Netflix recording of the Double Trouble Act (Laura is in the silver shirt, KC in the gold suit jacket) - courtesy of Laura Curtis via Facebook (Feb 5, 2023)*

*Poster advertising the Double Trouble performance shown at the end of the Netflix docuseries - courtesy of Madison Curtis via Facebook (Feb 5, 2023)*

Laura Curtis Facebook videos of the performance:

Video 1

Video 2

Quotes:

“If I was the spokesperson, ‘Here to tell you about the amazing health properties of castor oil!’” - Grant Thomas
“Tell your parents thank you and thank you for serving your country, especially if your job involves opening suspicious mail.” - Grant Thomas
“If you’re exposed to ricin, get it off your body as quickly as possible and seek medical care; there’s no antidote.” - Maia Warner
“Ricin is a substance that’s 6,000 times more poisonous than cyanide.” - Maia Warner

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