Danny Casolaro and "The Octopus" Conspiracy: Inside Netflix’s Docuseries American Conspiracy: The Octopus Murders
Published February 29, 2024 | By Lynsey Eidell
Netflix’s gripping new true crime docuseries, American Conspiracy: The Octopus Murders, investigates the mysterious 1991 death of journalist Danny Casolaro — and the massive government conspiracy theory he believed he had uncovered, which he ominously named “The Octopus.”
Who Was Danny Casolaro?
Danny Casolaro, born June 15, 1947, was a freelance investigative journalist from McLean, Virginia. Known for his work in computer trade publications and tabloids like The National Enquirer and The Globe, Casolaro had decades of experience in writing and reporting. He was also the father of a son, Trey, and had sole custody following a divorce from his wife, former Miss Virginia Terrill Pace.
In the early 1990s, after selling his interest in a tech publishing company, Casolaro turned his attention back to investigative journalism — a decision that would lead him into a web of intrigue and ultimately, tragedy.
What Was Danny Casolaro Investigating?
Casolaro’s investigation began with the INSLAW case, a legal battle between a small software company and the U.S. Justice Department. INSLAW, founded by Bill and Nancy Hamilton, developed a powerful legal case-tracking software called PROMIS. The Hamiltons alleged that the DOJ stole PROMIS and forced them into bankruptcy.
However, Casolaro believed this case was just one part of a much broader, covert operation — a global conspiracy he dubbed “The Octopus.” He connected the INSLAW case to major scandals like the Iran-Contra affair, the October Surprise, the Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI), and even Watergate, theorizing that a hidden network of rogue intelligence agents was behind them all.
What Was "The Octopus" Conspiracy?
According to Casolaro, “The Octopus” referred to an interconnected network of political corruption, espionage, and organized crime. He believed that a secret global cabal used tools like the stolen PROMIS software to influence governments and profit from chaos. Casolaro planned to reveal these connections in a book titled The Octopus.
His book proposal described it as “the most explosive investigative story of the 20th Century,” involving espionage, big oil, and global crime — all manipulated by the Octopus's many “tentacles.”
How Did Danny Casolaro Die?
In August 1991, Casolaro told friends and family he had made a breakthrough and was heading to Martinsburg, West Virginia, to meet a key source. On August 10, he was found dead in his hotel bathtub with multiple deep slashes on his wrists. An apparent suicide note was found, and local authorities quickly ruled his death a suicide.
But those who knew him best — including family and close friends — doubted the ruling. Casolaro reportedly feared blood, disliked being seen nude, and had told relatives not to believe it if he died under suspicious circumstances. Notably, his investigative notes and files were missing, his body was embalmed before his family could see it, and his hotel room was sanitized with industrial cleaners — all of which fueled suspicions of a cover-up.
Key Figures in the Octopus Conspiracy
One of the most critical figures in Casolaro’s investigation was Michael Riconosciuto, a computer expert and weapons designer. Riconosciuto alleged that he helped modify PROMIS software for intelligence use and claimed it was sold to foreign governments. He also accused high-level Reagan associates of orchestrating illegal deals tied to the October Surprise.
Shortly after submitting an affidavit to Congress about INSLAW, Riconosciuto was arrested on drug charges — which he claimed were retaliation. He was convicted and sentenced to 30 years, later released in 2017.
Riconosciuto wasn’t the only link to danger. Several individuals connected to the Octopus theory died under mysterious circumstances, including:
Paul Morasca, Riconosciuto’s associate, murdered in 1982
Alan Standorf, a government employee allegedly feeding Casolaro information, found dead in 1991
Jonathan Moyle, a British journalist investigating related arms deals, found hanged in a Chilean hotel room just months before Casolaro’s death
Was Danny Casolaro Murdered?
The circumstances surrounding Casolaro’s death remain murky. His brother, Dr. Anthony Casolaro, and others have long believed he was silenced due to what he uncovered. According to reports, Danny had received threatening phone calls in the weeks before his death, and the absence of his notes suggests his investigation was a direct threat to powerful interests.
What Happened After His Death?
In 1992, the U.S. House Judiciary Committee requested a special investigation into Casolaro’s death. While the DOJ ultimately reaffirmed the suicide ruling in a 1994 report and dismissed the INSLAW conspiracy, many unanswered questions remain.
Now, over 30 years later, American Conspiracy: The Octopus Murders reopens the case. The four-part Netflix docuseries dives deep into Casolaro’s life, his controversial theories, and the legacy of investigative journalism that seeks truth in the shadows of power.