Introducing: Blood River

Monty Reel (0:09)

Berta Caceres was one of the most influential advocates for indigenous and women's rights in Honduras.

And in 2013, when she began leading a protest campaign against a proposed hydroelectric dam, she became one of the most celebrated environmental activists anywhere. Honduras was known as the most dangerous place in the world for environmental activists. More than 100 had been reported killed in just the previous five years. She told friends about threatening phone calls she'd get. She said strange cars followed her on the road.

SPEAKER_2 (0:54)

She knew that she was very much still being targeted and still at risk of being killed.

Monty Reel (1:01)

Berta was the most powerful activist in her country, but none of the accolades could protect her in the end.

SPEAKER_3 (1:12)

A prominent environmental rights activist was shot dead in Honduras on Thursday, prompting protests in the capital.

Monty Reel (1:21)

My name is Monty Reel, an investigative reporter for Bloomberg Green. On the upcoming podcast, Blood River, we tell the story of a murder, a murder in a place where murderers thrive, where about 97% of all homicides are left unsolved and unpunished.

SPEAKER_4 (1:46)

Bye Honda and police claim that she was killed in a robbery gone wrong, but her family, friends and supporters are convinced that her death was a political assassination.

Monty Reel (1:56)

It's a story full of deception, leads and cruel twists. It's about money, power, political influence and the violence that goes along with them.

That violence didn't begin or end with Berta.

SPEAKER_5 (2:15)

I threw myself towards the side of the bed in my room to protect myself and the gunman shot me in the head.

SPEAKER_2 (2:21)

I said, don't call the police, because calling the police in Honduras is like calling the mafia to a crime scene and you can't trust them.

Monty Reel (2:31)

We'll hear from victims, investigators and eyewitnesses, the communities that fought alongside Berta and the executives on the receiving end of that activism. We'll go into their homes, their offices and, in some cases, their prison cells.

All of them now face the same question. Who in the end is really responsible for the death of Berta Caceres? And what does justice actually look like in a place where killers almost always walk away untouched?

SPEAKER_6 (3:07)

We think it's quite possible that there's more to this crime than has been exposed so far.

Monty Reel (3:21)

Blood River launches on July 27th. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.