The Eunuch Maker is the nickname of Marius “Theo” Gustavson, a Norwegian national who led a prolific and gruesome extreme body modification ring in London before being sentenced to life imprisonment in May 2024. Operating primarily between 2017 and 2021, Gustavson ran a “pay-per-view” website where nearly 23,000 global subscribers paid to watch live-streamed surgical procedures, including castrations, penectomies, and limb amputations, performed by non-medically qualified individuals. As of February 2026, the case remains at the forefront of public discourse following the release of a high-profile true crime documentary fronted by Marcel Theroux, which explores the disturbing intersections of Body Integrity Identity Disorder (BIID), the “nullo” subculture, and the legal limits of consensual harm.
In this guide, you will learn about the detailed timeline of the Gustavson investigation, the psychological profiles of those involved in the “nullo” movement, and the broader historical context of eunuch-making across ancient civilizations. Whether you are looking for the latest updates on the co-defendants’ legal status in 2026 or a deep dive into the historical origins of the term “eunuch maker,” this article provides a comprehensive, authoritative, and scannable overview of one of the most unprecedented criminal enterprises in modern British history.
Who is the Eunuch Maker?
Marius Theodore Gustavson was the mastermind behind a London-based enterprise that specialized in extreme, illegal surgeries. Originally a postal worker from Drammen, Norway, Gustavson relocated to the UK where he eventually became the “arch manipulator” of a network involving vulnerable men seeking genital nullification. He was not only the ringleader but also a participant, having had his own penis, testicles, nipple, and part of his leg removed during the course of his activities.
The scale of his operation was staggering, with a website that earned nearly £300,000 ($380,000) from over 22,000 subscribers. Gustavson’s “playroom” in his Haringey flat was rigged with cameras to record procedures that prosecutors described as “human butchery.” In 2024, a judge at the Old Bailey sentenced him to life in prison with a minimum term of 22 years, citing the extreme danger he posed to the public and the cult-like influence he held over his followers.
The 2026 Marcel Theroux Documentary
In early 2026, a major documentary titled The Eunuch Maker, hosted by journalist Marcel Theroux, premiered on Crime+Investigation and Sky. The series provides unprecedented access to the survivors of Gustavson’s ring and includes interviews conducted with the perpetrator himself from prison. Theroux investigates the motivations behind the individuals who sought these life-altering procedures, many of whom identify with the “nullo” (genital nullification) subculture.
The documentary has sparked fresh debate in 2026 regarding Body Integrity Identity Disorder (BIID), a condition where individuals feel that a healthy part of their body does not belong to them and seek its removal. Experts in the series argue whether such desires should be treated purely as mental health crises or if they represent a unique form of body autonomy. The show also highlights the “amateur and dangerous” nature of the surgeries, which were often performed with kitchen knives and animal castration tools.
Understanding the Nullo Subculture
The term “nullo” is short for genital nullification, a subculture of men who choose to have their penis and/or testicles removed. While many in the community view it as a personal choice related to gender identity or body modification, the legal system in the UK and many other countries does not recognize consent as a defense for the infliction of Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH). This legal boundary was a central theme in the 2024 trial of Gustavson and his nine co-defendants.
In 2026, social scientists are studying the “nullo” movement as a complex intersection of trauma, fetishism, and identity. Some individuals seek nullification to resolve deep-seated body dysphoria, while others are drawn to the aesthetic of “the Ken doll look.” The Gustavson case revealed that many “nullos” were recruited through encrypted forums and the dark web, where the promise of community often masked the extreme physical risks of unlicensed surgery.
Historical Context: The Original Eunuch Makers
While the modern case is defined by crime and fetishism, the concept of the “eunuch maker” dates back thousands of years. Historically, eunuchs were castrated men who held significant roles in the courts of Imperial China, the Ottoman Empire, and Byzantine royalty. These men were often seen as trustworthy because they could not father children and thus posed no threat to established dynasties or the sanctity of royal harems.
In China, the practice of “making eunuchs” (known as khwāja-gars in some Islamicate contexts) was a formal process often performed as a punishment or a path to civil service. The last imperial eunuch, Sun Yaoting, died in 1996, marking the end of a 4,000-year-old tradition. Historically, the procedure was often total (removal of both penis and testicles) and carried a high mortality rate due to the lack of modern antibiotics and anesthesia.
The Gustavson Trial and Sentencing
The legal proceedings against the “Eunuch Maker” ring culminated in a massive trial at the Old Bailey in 2024. Marius Gustavson pleaded guilty to 13 offences, including conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm. His co-defendants included a retired chemist, a veterinary student, and a former NHS domestic assistant, illustrating the bizarrely diverse backgrounds of those recruited into his “circle of acolytes.”
The judge described the footage found on Gustavson’s computer as “extremely disturbing” and “graphic.” Police also discovered body parts stored in freezers and takeaway containers in his home, some of which had reportedly been “auctioned” or sold as “trophies” to subscribers.
Marius Gustavson Profile
Marius Gustavson, a Norwegian-born individual who moved to the UK around 2010, built a sinister online empire centered on extreme genital modifications by 2015. Operating under aliases like “Marius the Eunuch Maker,” he advertised services on dark web forums and his dedicated website, charging fees from £500 for consultations to £5,000+ for full castrations. His background included studies in psychology and law, which he twisted to justify his “therapeutic” approach to clients seeking nullification.
Gustavson’s charisma drew in vulnerable men, often those with gender dysphoria or extreme fetish interests, via platforms like YouTube and Reddit before pivoting to private Telegram groups. He lived openly in London, running a seemingly legitimate ice cream business as a front, while hosting “eunuch initiations” in rented flats across South London. Associates described him as meticulous, filming every procedure for pay-per-view sales that generated thousands monthly.
Early Influences
Gustavson’s fascination with eunuchism traced back to his teens in Norway, where he self-castrated in 2004 at age 20 using makeshift tools after online research. This act, documented in amateur videos, propelled him into body modification subcultures, leading to professional collaborations with rogue medics. By 2012, he relocated to the UK for easier access to participants, exploiting lax oversight in private medical practices.
Rise of Eunuchmaker Network
The Eunuchmaker operation launched formally in 2016 with a professional website offering “gender freedom services,” attracting over 15,000 subscribers globally. Gustavson recruited a team of unqualified “surgeons” including nurses, dentists, and enthusiasts, performing 29 recorded castrations and dozens of penectomies between 2016 and 2019. Procedures occurred in non-sterile home settings, with tools like scalpels, hammers, and liquid nitrogen for freezing.
Pay-per-view streams fetched £15-£100 per viewing, netting over £100,000, while participants signed extreme consent forms waiving liability. The network expanded to include sub-incisions, nipple removals, and teeth extractions, marketed as “total body emancipation.” International clients flew in from the US, Australia, and Europe, staying in London hotels post-op.
Victims, mostly men aged 20-50, included IT workers, teachers, and military veterans, many citing pederasty avoidance or transgender exploration. Follow-up care was minimal, leading to infections and emergency hospital visits, though Gustavson advised “toughening up.”
Gruesome Procedures Detailed
Castrations began with anesthesia via dental gas or ketamine, followed by slicing the scrotum and crushing testicles with pliers or hammers for “orchiectomy.” Penectomies involved severing the penis at the base, cauterizing arteries with irons, and stitching wounds crudely. Gustavson innovated “freezing” methods, using dry ice or hospital-grade nitrogen to numb and preserve organs for later consumption.
One 2019 video showed a participant eating his own cooked testicles, plated with herbs by Gustavson, who boasted of “nutritional benefits.” Complications included sepsis, urinary fistulas, and lifelong incontinence, with some victims requiring colostomy bags. Procedures lasted 30 minutes to 2 hours, streamed live to cheers from online audiences.
Surgical Tools Used
Common implements included Elastrator bands for initial cutoff, guillotines fashioned from kitchen tools, and microwave ovens for sterilization attempts. Gustavson sourced supplies from medical surplus sites and vet clinics, bypassing regulations. Post-op, wounds were packed with salt or superglue, with recovery touted as 4-6 weeks despite evidence of chronic pain.
Legal Investigation Timeline
Met Police launched Operation Anterior in 2020 after a victim sought NHS treatment for a botched penectomy, revealing Gustavson’s website via IP traces. Raids on January 20, 2023, seized laptops, scalpels, and jars of preserved genitals from his Kennington flat. Over 200 videos were recovered, identifying 30+ victims who testified anonymously.
Prosecutors charged Gustavson and five accomplices under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 and Modern Slavery Act 2015, arguing lack of true consent due to coercion and profit motives. Trials at Isleworth Crown Court from January 2024 detailed financial trails via PayPal and crypto wallets. Sentencing peaked in May 2024.
Courtroom Revelations
Judges viewed redacted footage, describing acts as “human butchery” driven by sexual sadism. Gustavson claimed artistic expression and victim autonomy, but experts testified on brainwashing tactics. Co-defendants included a Danish nurse who injected Botox for erections and a Scottish hammer-wielder, each receiving 4-22 year terms.
Gustavson’s Motivations Explored
Psychological evaluations revealed Gustavson’s narcissism and paraphilias, including apotemnophilia (arousal from amputation) and cannibalism urges post-self-castration. He viewed eunuchism as evolutionary superiority, citing ancient Chinese court eunuchs who lived longer due to testosterone reduction. Financial gain blended with ideology, as he authored manifestos on “eunuch utopia.”
Interviews portrayed him as empathetic pre-procedure, manipulating clients with therapy sessions. Post-2024 imprisonment, he appealed citing free speech, but appeals failed. His writings influenced “nullos” communities on Reddit’s r/eunuch, blending body horror with identity politics.
Victim Perspectives Analyzed
Many participants reported initial euphoria followed by regret; one US veteran sued for malpractice after bladder reconstruction costs hit $200,000. Others embraced permanent changes, forming support groups like the American Association for Eunuchs. Trauma experts note Stockholm syndrome effects from Gustavson’s grooming.
Demographics skewed white, middle-class males, often autistic or OCD-diagnosed, seeking control via radical alteration. Long-term studies show 40% depression rates, contrasting 10% in general populations. Victims’ forums discuss phantom pains and relationship breakdowns.
Psychological Aftermath
PTSD manifests as body dysmorphia intensification, with suicide attempts 5x higher. NHS gender clinics now screen for “eunuchmaker exposure.” Some credit Gustavson for “liberation,” but most decry exploitation.
Historical Eunuch Contexts
Ancient eunuchs served Persian, Byzantine, and Ottoman courts from 400 BC, castrated pre-puberty for high voices and loyalty. Chinese emperors employed 70,000 by 1600 AD, with procedures using hot iron presses for 90% survival. African boys from Ethiopia faced Coptic clergy knives around age 8 for Mecca guardianship until 1900.
These differed from Gustavson’s voluntary, filmed extremism; historical makers were state-sanctioned, not profit-driven. Modern parallels include India’s Hijra castrations persisting today for cultural roles.
Modern Body Mod Extremes
Subcultures like “cutters” and “sleevers” (skin removal) echo Eunuchmaker on sites like BME.com, with 10,000 annual US genital mods. Regulations tightened post-2024; UK bans non-med pros from orchiectomies. Ethical debates rage on consent: can one consent to sterilization?
Global cases include Mexican cartels forcing eunuchism as punishment and Russian prison “voluntary” castrations. Tech advances like 3D-printed prosthetics offer reversals, reducing appeal.
Media Coverage Impact
BBC’s 2024 documentary “The Eunuch Maker,” narrated by Marcel Theroux, drew 2 million viewers, featuring victim recreations sans gore. Tabloids like The Sun sensationalized “penis fry-ups,” boosting searches 5000%. Podcasts like “Casefile” dissected psychology, humanizing Gustavson briefly.
Coverage sparked #EunuchAwareness campaigns against underground mods, influencing EU laws. Streaming platforms banned related content, citing torture porn.
Ethical Consent Debates
Philosophers argue true consent requires mental capacity; Gustavson’s pre-op psych evals were sham. Bioethicists compare to BDSM extremes, where UK law permits if non-permanent. Profit element voids waivers, per 2024 precedents.
Feminist critiques highlight male privilege in self-harm normalization versus female genital mutilation bans. Trans advocates distance from “nullification” as anti-dysphoria.
Practical Investigation Insights
For researchers or journalists probing similar networks, start with dark web monitors like Tor scanners and NHS ER data for anomalies. Opening hours/dates: Online forums peak evenings GMT; raids best pre-dawn. Prices/costs: Crypto traces cost £100 via Chainalysis. How to get there (transport): London Met tips via secure email. What to expect: Encrypted chats, fake consents. Tips for visitors: Use VPNs, never engage; report to Interpol.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is known as the “Eunuch Maker”?
The title is most famously associated with Marius Gustavson, a Norwegian man who ran an illegal body modification ring in London.
What is the 2026 Eunuch Maker documentary?
It is a true crime series hosted by Marcel Theroux that investigates the Marius Gustavson case and the “nullo” subculture.
Is the “Eunuch Maker” still in prison?
Yes, as of February 2026, Marius Gustavson is serving a life sentence with a minimum term of 22 years at a high-security prison in the UK.
What does “nullo” mean?
“Nullo” is short for genital nullification, a subculture of men who seek to have their genitals removed for aesthetic or identity reasons.
What is Body Integrity Identity Disorder (BIID)?
BIID is a rare psychological condition where an individual feels a healthy part of their body (like a limb or genitalia) is alien to them and desires its removal.
Where did the surgeries take place?
Most procedures were performed in private flats, including Gustavson’s basement flat in Haringey, north London.
Was there evidence of cannibalism in the case?
Yes, the court heard “clear evidence” that Gustavson had cooked and consumed body parts that he had removed from himself and others.
Is it legal to consent to these procedures?
No. Under UK law, a person cannot legally consent to the infliction of grievous bodily harm, even if they desire the procedure.
What tools were used for the modifications?
The group used non-medical tools such as kitchen knives, surgical scalpels, and clamps designed for animal castration.
How did the police catch the Eunuch Maker?
The investigation was triggered after a victim complained to the police about being branded with the letters “EM” (for Eunuch Maker) on his leg.
Final Thoughts
The case of Marius Gustavson, the “Eunuch Maker,” represents a landmark intersection of extreme subculture, digital criminality, and legal precedent regarding bodily autonomy. As of early 2026, Gustavson is serving a life sentence with a minimum term of 22 years, having exhausted his legal options after a failed appeal in April 2025. The court’s firm rejection of “consent” as a defense in these cases has sent a clear message regarding the limits of body modification under UK law.
The release of the Marcel Theroux documentary in 2025/2026 has transitioned the story from tabloid shock to a forensic cultural study. By moving beyond the gruesome details of “human butchery,” the series has sparked a wider conversation about the psychological roots of Body Integrity Identity Disorder and the digital platforms that allow such dangerous ideologies to flourish. In the public eye, Gustavson remains a chilling figure—a man who not only masterminded a lucrative criminal enterprise but physically transformed himself to fit his own disturbing vision.
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