HBO Max’s new docuseries The Tech Bro Murders breaks down the terrifying case of Francis Wolke, who became synonymous with one of the most gruesome murders to ever happen in the Bay Area after he moved across the country to pursue a job in Silicon Valley.
In December 2018, police found Wolke inside of a home in Menlo Park that belonged to then-62-year-old Kathleen “Kathy” Hughes Anderson. She was discovered nearly dead in her basement after he brutally attacked her.
Wolke admitted to killing her, and he told investigators he believed he had to commit the murder and consume human flesh so that he could join the “one percent” and remain young forever in order to succeed in the tech field, according to The Independent.
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The terrifying story will be documented in the four-part docuseries The Tech Bro Murders. The first episode premiered on Tuesday, September 9, and gave viewers a look into the crime scene as Anderson’s longtime friend and former romantic partner, Daniel Baggett, shared his experience.
Baggett explained he felt pulled to her house on the night of the murder. He reached out to Anderson and decided to check on her when she didn’t answer his calls. Once he arrived at her home, Baggett discovered Wolke covered in Anderson’s blood.
Wolke tried to strangle Anderson, jabbed a pen into her eye and used a handsaw on her body, according to the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office per The Independent.
Baggett was able to interrupt Wolke and held him at knifepoint until police arrived. Once authorities were at the scene, both Wolke and Baggett were arrested.
In the docuseries, retired Palo Alto PD detective Sandra Brown explained both men were arrested since it was initially unclear who committed the crime. She noted that Baggett had a known relationship to Anderson, while Wolke and Anderson seemingly had no contact before the killing.
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Wolke was eventually charged with the murder, and police credited Baggett for likely preventing Wolke from fleeing the scene. “He was the one who stopped Franis Wolke from getting away,” Brown said in the docuseries. “If Francis Wolke had gotten away, it’s possible we would’ve never found him.”
“I was never treated like a hero,” Baggett said. “I just wish she was still here. I was just glad that I was able to do what I believe Kathy wanted me to do and that was to make sure he didn’t get away.”
He emotionally added through tears, “I believe what was pulling me to that house that night was her.”
Following his arrest, Wolke pleaded not guilty of murder by reason of insanity in court, according to Palo Alto Online. He was convicted of first-degree murder and was sentenced to 26 years to life in prison in May 2023, according to CBS News.
Viewers will continue to learn more about the disturbing case when The Tech Bro Murders airs each Tuesday on HBO Max at 10 p.m. ET.
