Marius Gustavson, the ringleader of an extreme body modification operation, has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Old Bailey, with a minimum term of 22 years. Gustavson was convicted of conducting horrific procedures, including castrations and genital mutilations, which were livestreamed on his website and paid for by subscribers.

Gustavson’s operation, referred to as “Eunuch Maker,” drew nearly £300,000 from over 22,000 global subscribers between 2017 and 2021. The procedures were performed on victims, some as young as 16, in non-sterile environments such as London flats and hotel rooms. The judge described Gustavson’s activities as “little short of human butchery,” emphasising the mix of sexual gratification and financial gain as the driving factors.

During the trial, distressing evidence was presented, including that Gustavson had stored severed body parts as trophies and had engaged in cannibalism. Co-conspirators, including retired chemists and veterinary students, were implicated and variously sentenced for their roles in the gruesome enterprise.

This case has shed light on the dark subculture of illegal body modifications and highlighted the severe consequences for those who engage in such unlawful activities. The severity of the penalties handed down is intended as a deterrent against future crimes of this nature. Authorities continue to emphasize the dangers of such practices and the importance of legal compliance in medical and body modification practices.