Terrifying & True | The Acid King Murder: Ricky Kasso, Satanic Panic, and the Killing of Gary Lauwers

On July 4, 1984, police dogs uncovered a shallow grave in the quiet town of Northport, Long Island. Inside lay the mutilated body of 17-year-old Gary Lauwers—stabbed more than 30 times in a drug-fueled frenzy by his friend Ricky “The Acid King” Kasso. Within days, the story became national news, sparking headlines of Satanic sacrifice and cementing Kasso as the terrifying face of America’s 1980s Satanic Panic.

But was this really the work of a Satanic cult, or simply the grim fallout of teenage drug abuse, mental illness, and neglect? In this episode of Terrifying & True, we dive deep into the disturbing murder in Aztakea Woods, Ricky Kasso’s descent into drugs and occult posturing, and how the media turned one horrific killing into a nationwide moral hysteria.

We’ll examine:

• The brutal murder of Gary Lauwers and Kasso’s infamous demand, “Say You Love Satan.”
• How the case fueled the fire of the Satanic Panic sweeping America.
• The media’s sensational claims versus the grim reality of drugs, rage, and tragedy.
• The trial of Jimmy Troiano and the lasting legacy of the “Acid King” myth.

From grave robbing to cult rumors, from teenage rebellion to national paranoia, this is the chilling true story of Ricky Kasso, the Acid King of Northport.
We’re telling that story tonight.

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👨‍💼 Executive Producers: Rob Fields, Bobbletopia.com
🎥 Produced by: Daniel Wilder
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