Woman accused of crushing animals to death with feet for dark web videos denied bail
A Winnipeg woman accused of crushing animals to death with her feet for videos she and her boyfriend then allegedly sold was denied bail on Friday, following a lengthy hearing in a Manitoba court earlier this week.
Irene Lima and Chad Kabecz were arrested and charged with several animal cruelty offences in October after the provincial veterinarian received a tip from a concerned citizen about videos and photos of animal torture that were being circulated on the dark web. The dark web is an online platform that can only be accessed through a specialized browser and does not show up in regular searches.
The citizen who made the tip believed that the individuals behind the videos were from Manitoba, which led police to search a home in Winnipeg’s Lord Roberts area. During the search, officers seized several electronic devices that contained hundreds of videos and photographs, as well as tens of thousands of encrypted communications between the accused couple.
Evidence presented in court included a cat carrier, multiple cellphones, a computer, Lima’s diary, and a blue Tupperware bin that was seen in the videos and was believed to have contained cats. Blood samples, USB drives, and other items were also seized from the residence.
During a bail hearing on Monday, arguments were made for and against Lima’s release, with the judge ultimately denying her bail. The specific details of the hearing, including the evidence presented and the judge’s reasoning, are subject to a publication ban.
Police have alleged that from May 20 to October 7, 2024, over 75 animals were filmed or photographed being tortured and killed, with a sexual component involved in some cases. Communications between the couple also reportedly discussed torturing a child, with a sexual element to those messages. Additionally, images of child pornography were found on a device belonging to Kabecz and Lima.
Kabecz was released on bail shortly after his initial arrest, but was taken back into custody following new charges related to bestiality and child pornography. The couple allegedly operated a website on the dark web called Goddess May Barefoot Premium Crush, where videos of Lima crushing animals with her feet were hosted. The site required prospective members to submit their own videos for entry, and both accused profited financially from it.
Further details about the allegations were revealed during Kabecz’s bail hearing, where it was alleged that Lima, who goes by the name “Goddess May” online, had a long history of torturing animals for her own satisfaction and pleasure. She had previously been convicted twice of fraud under $5,000 for defrauding elderly clients while working as their home care worker.
The decision not to release Lima on bail underscores the seriousness of the charges against her and the disturbing nature of the allegations. The case is expected to go to trial as the legal proceedings continue to unfold.
