Stalker Cop Exposed in Shocking Couchsurfing Predator Docuseries
From Couchsurfing Nightmare to Justice Battle
Lightbox, the award-winning production company co-founded by Oscar winner Simon Chinn and Emmy winner Jonathan Chinn, is gearing up to drop a gripping three-part docuseries, Bad Host: Hunting the Couchsurfing Predator. The series tells the jaw-dropping true story of a group of young women from across the globe who band together to expose an Italian cop with a dark, deadly secret.
Victims United Across Continents
Based on the hit podcast “Verified,” the documentary dives into the terrifying experiences of women from California, Australia, and Portugal. All attracted to the popular Couchsurfing website, they became prey to “Leonardo,” a serving Italian police officer with a shiny online profile but a twisted reality.
- ‘Leonardo’ preyed on innocent travellers
- He reportedly drugged at least 15 victims
- Accused of raping five women, including an alleged assault on a minor
Six Years of Courageous Pursuit for Justice
Initially strangers, these women connected anonymously on a secret Facebook group. Their relentless six-year fight to track down ‘Leonardo’ pulls back the curtain on the dark side of the sharing economy and law enforcement’s shocking failure to protect vulnerable victims.
“Lightbox has crafted a powerful, victim-led true crime investigation that’s impossible to look away from,” said Poppy Dixon, Director of Documentaries and Factual at Sky Documentaries.
Suzanne Lavery, SVP Unscripted at Lightbox, added, “The story is full of shocking twists, revealing both the perils of trusting online strangers and the strength found when survivors unite.”
Coming Soon to Eyes Worldwide
Distributed globally by FIFTH SEASON, Bad Host is set to premiere at MIPCOM 2023—promising a must-watch addition to the booming true crime genre. Directed by Lottie Gammon and executive produced by the Chinn brothers, this series brings exclusive access to a story of fear, resilience, and justice.
