If youāve watched all seven episodes of Netflix true crime documentary The Keepers, then youāve got a lot of questions. Who killed Sister Cathy? What secrets did Sister Russell keep? Why did the killer park Sister Cathyās car so conspicuously on the curb opposite her flat? How could two separate uncles be involved in the crime? The investigation into Sister Cathy Cesnikās death is ongoing, so we may yet find out the answers. In the meantime, we got on the phone to Series Producer Jessica Hargrave to interrogate her. (If you havenāt watched the series yet, you may have no idea what weāre talking about ā and also, what are you doing with your life? Watch it now).
Yes! We are still watching and we are still in touch with Abbie and Gemma as new information comes in. As you may have seen, police are actively trying to solve this case now and theyāve exhumed Father Maskellās body to do DNA tests. We are absolutely still on the case.
Weāll never know what Sister Russell knew, or what she was hiding. Iāve seen online that a lot of viewers have been blaming her for the case never having been solved, which I donāt think is fair. I would suggestā¦ Look, we know that Father Maskell and his people were capable if scaring people into silence. Itās not fair to take it out on her when itās likely thatās what happened to her, too.
Garry was a great participant in the show and in the interviews. I believe he loved her very much and his alibi was always consistent. I am grateful he spoke to us and I will say heās always been forthcoming with the police, too.
We have no plans for a second season. For us, it was all about covering the uncovering of the crime, and weāve done that.
I was there in the room, yes, I was there for all of the interviews. Itās really tough to know with Edgar because he corroborated several of the things his first wife said about him ā that it was him who called into the radio station and that he drives with two feet. There was some truth to what his wife said, obviously, and so Iām inclined to believe other things she said. Some of his answers were too quick or didnāt match, so yeah, Iād believe what she said.
Oh, thatās so hard. After spending so much time with his victims, I think I would have to ask āhow could you do this?ā Iād want to know if he ever knew the impact he had on the survivors, on their lives. It was devastating for them, and I wonder if he knew that. Not a day goes by that they donāt think of him or what he did. So I would ask him, did you know what affect you really had on people?
To be honest, I donāt know. Iām really glad she was willing to speak to us, is all I can really say on that one.
Abbie and Gemma are amazing! Here they are, retirees, lay people with no training, just tenacity and hard work, and they achieved so much. It was great to watch them bounce off each other, they are such opposites, even more so in real life than came across on camera. There was a lot of energy in that room with them.
Oh, countless hours, days. We spent time with her family, at her home, got to know her friends. Thereās so much we did for background that never appears on camera, we spent a lot of time with her. We donāt live in Baltimore but weād go there for maybe 10 days each month and at least two of those days were always spent with Jean. She always operated with such honesty and measure, purpose and integrity. She needed to get to know us before she was ready and willing to tell her story, but when she did, she really committed to it.
The director, Ryan White, is actually someone Iāve been friends with since we were little kids. His aunt was one of Sister Cathyās students and she knew Jane Doe, so when Jean Wehner put her name to Jane Doe in 2014, we started there.
I am optimistic that the case will be solved. The police are actively investigating it nowā¦ and Abbie and Gemma are still on it.
The Keepers is available to stream on Netflix now.
