The true story behind Netflix's The Kings of Tupelo: A Southern Crime Saga explained 

The Kings of Tupelo: A Southern Crime Saga is a true crime documentary series directed by Chapman Way and Maclain Way. It is set to premiere on Netflix on December 11, 2024. The documentary explores the 2013 ricin letters case, in which poisonous letters were sent to three high-profile individuals, including the then-President of the United States, Barack Obama.

The authorities had investigated the case leading to the arrest of Paul Kevin Curtis, an Elvis impersonator from Tupelo, but further inquiry revealed a more complex story.

C2 Pictures, Stardust Frames Production, and Netflix produced the three-part series. The Kings of Tupelo: A Southern Crime Saga includes interviews from Kevin Curtis and the investigators of the case, along with the news clippings from that time.

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The Kings of Tupelo: A Southern Crime Saga is about the 2013 ricin letters case

Chapman and Maclain Way, the creators behind Untold, Wild Wild Country, and The Battered Bastards of Baseball, are presenting a true story in The Kings of Tupelo: A Southern Crime Saga. The streaming platform describes the documentary in the following words:

"In this bizarre true-crime tale, an Elvis impersonator's conspiracy theory sets off a feud that spirals into an attempted presidential assassination."

In 2013, a letter containing the highly toxic protein ricin was sent to the US Capitol's mail facility. A similar letter was also mailed to the office of Mississippi Senator Roger Wicker. Both contained the same phrase:

"No one wanted to listen to me before. There are still 'Missing Pieces.' Maybe I have your attention now even if that means someone must die. This must stop. To see a wrong and not expose it, is to become a silent partner to its continuance."

The letters also said:

"I am KC and I approve this message."

Soon, it was found that Lee County Justice Court Judge Sadie Holland had also received a ricin-laced letter. The FBI arrested an Elvis impersonator from Tupelo, Paul Kevin Curtis. He was a frequent blogger who used to write conspiracy theories online, and all of his posts ended with the same line:

"I am Kevin Curtis and I approve this message."

However, a few days later, all charges against him were dropped after no evidence was found connecting him to the ricin letters. Kevin's attorney claimed that his client was being framed.

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Who was the real perpetrator?

Paul and Jack Curtis (Image via Netflix)

During the investigation, the name James Everett Dutschke surfaced. Kevin and Dutschke also had a long online feud that had seeped into their daily lives.

In the trailer, Kevin could be seen saying that Dutschke stalked his every move, shot his dog with a tranquilizer, and even set his house on fire. The ricin letters were sent by Dutschke to frame Kevin Curtis.

Dutschke initially denied his involvement, but the investigators kept his house under surveillance. He was arrested on April 27, 2013, for attempted use of a biological weapon and four other counts. In May 2014, he was sentenced to 25 years in prison.

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Where to watch The Kings of Tupelo: A Southern Crime Saga

The Kings of Tupelo: A Southern Crime Saga is scheduled to be released on Netflix on December 11, 2024. Viewers need a subscription to the streaming platform to watch the series, which varies according to user location. In the United States, the subscription cost ranges from $6.99-22.99 per month.

At $6.99 per month, one can access the entire library of movies, shows, and documentaries and stream in standard video quality with ads. The $22.99 package allows subscribers to stream videos at Ultra HD without ads on up to six devices.

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Stay tuned for more news and updates on The Kings of Tupelo: A Southern Crime Saga and other movies and shows on Netflix.