jdebaets is an as-yet-unaprehended suspect in a series of grisly slayings in the Transcona neighbourhood of Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Debaet rages over the exact number of his victims, as shortly after his sprees began being featured in local media, a copycat killer dubbed "The Kras" appeared and spread his own wake of destruction. "The Kras", identified only as Kristian P. by a number of publications, though it may be another alias, was captured in late 2004 and stood trial. However, when it was revealed that the presiding judge in the case had made sexual advances toward the defendant prior to being assigned to the case, a mistrial was declared, and P. was released on $78.35 bail to his family's recognizance.
While the exact number of jdebaets's victims is unknown, the most well-known incident occurred at a local Salisbury House restaurant in August of 2001. Charles Garner and a man identified only as 'Addy' had been eating with male model Adam Oystreck when an imposing figure, his face shrouded beneath a fedora, approached the table and uttered a series of metaphor-filled threats at Garner and Addy. A struggle ensued, and the police report later identified Garner and Addy as dead on arrival, an unknown waitress stabbed with a coffee stir-stick in the lower thigh, and Oystreck beaten about the head and buttocks to within an inch of his life. Oystreck claims he does not remember the incident, though it has been suggested he has kept his story to himself to help with publicity for his upcoming book about his arduous recovery from his injuries. The waitress filed a Workman's Compensation claim and is currently attending medical school.
Local media at the time reported that Garner and Addy were shady types themselves, and in financial distress. Both men owed significant debts to a variety of creditors, so many believed at the time that either they owed jdebaets money directly, or that he had been hired by any number of their creditors. This theory has since been largely discredited, as several subsequent homicides were linked to jdebaets. based on the discovery of plastic coffee stir sticks lodged in the lower thighs of the victims.
The string of killings attributed to jdebaets appears to have ended with the attempted slaying of Curtis Schmidt, who escaped with only minor scrapes and a pierced colon.
Several theories exist as to the current status of the killer. Some believe he stopped when "Friends" was taken off the air, while others believe he mended his ways through the help of Gamblers Anonymous and is currently serving as Member of Parliament for the Winnipeg riding of St. James-Assiniboia, using a wheelchair and feigned paralysis to throw investigators off his trail.
jdebaets is also a classically-trained concert pianist, and is currently studying to become a rabbi.