A new true crime documentary, An Amputation Obsession: The Monster and the Surgeon, revisits the disturbing case of Marius Gustavson, known as the 'Eunuch Maker', and his connection to NHS surgeon Neil Hopper.
The Eunuch Maker's Operation
Gustavson ran a pay-to-view website that streamed videos of extreme body modifications and mutilations, including castrations performed on men. The procedures often took place in his own home and sometimes went wrong, requiring ambulance call-outs. The site earned him around £300,000 in profits over four years.
The Metropolitan Police investigated the website, and one journalist described the evidence as "so extreme" and hard to hear. The site was eventually shut down after a victim came forward.
Neil Hopper's Dark Secret
The investigation revealed that Neil Hopper, an NHS surgeon at the Royal Cornwall Hospital, had paid to access the site. Hopper had previously lost his own legs to amputation in 2019, claiming it was due to a mystery illness, and had become a national hero for his recovery. He even claimed over £466,000 in insurance payouts, saying his injuries were from sepsis.
However, it emerged that his amputations were self-inflicted, making his insurance claims fraudulent. He was also investigated for his involvement with the website.
Sentencing and Aftermath
In May 2024, Gustavson pleaded guilty to 13 offences, including multiple counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. He was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 22 years. Nine others received sentences ranging from suspended sentences to 12 years imprisonment for their roles.
An Amputation Obsession: The Monster and the Surgeon is available to stream on Prime Video.
