Kat Torres had it all—famous friends, a jet-setting modelling career and a social media feed that painted the picture of a woman who had truly made it.

But behind the flawless photos and inspirational captions lurked a far darker reality. Torres wasn’t just living the influencer dream; she was building something far more dangerous. What began as a pursuit of fame spiralled into a cult-like following, where influence became control, and admiration, exploitation.

So, how does someone with a face as angelic as Kat Torres become a cult leader and accused sex trafficker?

Journalist and Don’t Cross Kat podcast host Chico Felitti joins us to uncover the disturbing truth behind the rise—and fall—of Kat Torres.

CREDITS

Guest: Chico Felitti

Host: Claire Murphy

Producer: Tahli Blackman

Audio Producer: Jacob Round

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Want us to cover a case on the podcast? Email us at truecrime@mamamia.com.au or send us a voice note.

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If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

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At just 18 months old, Ben Shenton was handed over to a woman who claimed she was the reincarnation of Jesus Christ.

That woman was Anne Hamilton-Byrne, the leader of a secretive doomsday cult called The Family. For 14 years, Ben lived cut off from the outside world—beaten, starved, drugged, and taught to stay “unseen, unheard, unknown.” The cult twisted Christianity into a tool of fear and control.

Ben was finally rescued at age 15 during a police raid. Today, he’s an advocate for survivors and a pastor who still follows the teachings of Jesus Christ, just not the version the cult tried to force on him.

You can find Ben’s website, Rescue the Family, here, and his book Life Behind the Wire here.

CREDITS

Guest: Ben Shenton

Host: Claire Murphy

Producer: Tahli Blackman

Audio Producer: Jacob Round

GET IN TOUCH

Want us to cover a case on the podcast? Email us at truecrime@mamamia.com.au or send us a voice note.

Rate or review us on Apple by clicking on the three dots in the top right-hand corner, click Go To Show, then scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on the stars at the bottom and write a review. You can also leave a comment for us on Spotify.

If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the trial of Erin Patterson enters its second week, The Quicky news podcast examines the latest developments in the mushroom murder case that shocked a small Victorian town.

Stay tuned! True Crime Conversations will be covering the full case and trial very shortly...

Listen to Mushroom Case Daily here

THE END BITS
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CREDITS

Hosts: Taylah Strano & Claire Murphy

Guests:

Stephen Stockwell, Producer of ABC's Mushroom Case Daily podcast

Executive Producer: Taylah Strano

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.