It's hard to walk away from Netflix's The Keepers [1] without some theory formed in the back of your mind; after watching interviews with suspects and hearing testimony from victims, most viewers developed suspicions even though the documentary series ended unresolved [2]. And as we've learned from other cult-favorite true crime shows like Making a Murderer [3], nobody plays the theory [4] game better than Reddit.
Several subreddits, including /r/The_Keepers [5] and /r/UnresolvedMysteries [6], have become hotspots for speculation about the seemingly intertwined fates of Sister Cathy Cesnik [7] and 20-year-old Joyce Malecki [8]. In the aftermath of the hit docuseries, theories have arisen based on new developments [9] in the case and an Ask Me Anything with the show's director [10]. While it's possible to spend all day digging for possible explanations for the murders, there are a few particularly gripping theories that are worth reading once you finish binging the show.
Read on for four of the most compelling Reddit theories so far; they'll help fill the Netflix-addiction-size void in your heart.
Theory: Father Maskell Ordered a Conspirator to Silence Cathy
One of the common theories about Sister Cathy's death, especially since Father Maskell's body was exhumed and cleared through DNA evidence, is that the priest ordered a member of his pedophile ring to shut Cathy up — and she ended up dead. Which suspected member of Maskell's circle did the actual killing remains a question; read on for the full theory.
Theory: Father Maskell Used Confession to Grow His Pedophile Group
One Redditor, based on Jane Doe's testimony about how Father Magnus used her confession to target her as an abuse victim, theorizes that this method also served to grow the network of pedophiles within the church community, including the police officers and other influential figures purported to be involved with Joseph Maskell's abuse ring. Maskell and Magnus, the theory goes, also used confession to pinpoint fellow adults who might be inclined toward child sexual abuse. The full theory is below.
Theory on how Maskell created his network of abusers! [14] from The_Keepers [15]
Theory: Gerry Koob Was More Involved Than He Let On
Viewers have continually questioned the credibility of former priest (and Cathy's former romantic interest) Gerry Koob. These doubters cite Koob's alibi, bizarre recollections of police questioning, and seemingly intentional downplaying of his relationship with the murdered nun as reasons for suspicion. And these reasons, among others, have led some viewers to suspect him in the actual killing. Read one such theory below.
Could Gerry Koob have been one of the pedophile priests? [16] from The_Keepers [17]
However, others disagree that Koob could have carried out the murder himself, simply conceding that his statements were strange (likely because he knows more than he let on).
Theory: Edgar Killed Someone, but It Wasn't Cathy
Perhaps one of the most disturbing aspects of The Keepers is the interview process with an elderly man named Edgar, who is a suspect in the murders. One Reddit theorist explores why they think he's innocent in the murder of Cathy Cesnik — but guilty of another — in the theory below.
Edgar & the Joyce Malecki case: unanswered (and unasked) questions, and a theory [20] from The_Keepers [21]