The Chilling Disposal of Krazy-8: A Deep Dive into Breaking Bad’s Morbid Chemistry
Krazy-8 met his end at the hands of Walter White in the early stages of Breaking Bad. After being held captive and initially intended to be released, Krazy-8’s attempt to kill Walt with a shard of broken plate led to Walter strangling him with a bicycle lock. To dispose of the body, Walt and Jesse then dissolved his corpse in hydrofluoric acid, mirroring their method for dealing with Emilio’s remains.
The Genesis of a Grim Solution: Hydrofluoric Acid
The Initial Problem: Body Disposal
The situation Walt and Jesse found themselves in after killing Krazy-8 was far from ideal. They had a body, and no experience in disposing of it. The obvious choice was to try to figure out how to destroy the evidence. After some deliberation, and recalling the chemicals they had available due to their meth cooking, they realized they had a possible solution in hydrofluoric acid.
Why Hydrofluoric Acid?
Hydrofluoric acid is a particularly nasty chemical. It’s highly corrosive and capable of dissolving organic matter, including human tissue and bone. While not the perfect solution (as evidenced by the bathtub incident), it was the most readily available option for the novice criminals.
The Process: From RV to Bathtub
Emilio’s Precedent
Before Krazy-8, there was Emilio. Jesse used hydrofluoric acid to dissolve Emilio’s body in his bathtub. This disastrous attempt, which resulted in the acid eating through the tub and the floor below, served as a stark lesson in the dangers and complexities of chemical disposal.
Krazy-8’s Fate: A Repeat Performance
Armed with (slightly) more knowledge, Walt and Jesse decided to use the same method on Krazy-8. The body was placed in a plastic container this time, hopefully avoiding a repeat of the bathtub incident. Hydrofluoric acid was poured over the corpse, and the process of dissolution began.
The Aftermath: Clean-Up and Consequences
Dissolving the Evidence
While the hydrofluoric acid did its job dissolving the body, the process was messy, time-consuming, and fraught with risk. The fumes were dangerous, and the disposal of the remaining sludge was another problem altogether. This experience contributed to the growing paranoia and moral decay of both Walt and Jesse.
The Psychological Impact
The act of disposing of a body in this manner had a significant psychological impact on both Walter White and Jesse Pinkman. It marked a turning point in their descent into the criminal underworld, forcing them to confront the brutal reality of their actions. Jesse, in particular, struggled with the guilt and trauma associated with these events, while Walt seemed to become increasingly desensitized.
Alternative Methods Considered (Or Not)
Burying the Body
A more traditional approach to body disposal is burial. However, this option presents its own set of challenges, including the risk of discovery, the need for a remote location, and the physical labor involved. Given Walt and Jesse’s inexperience and lack of resources, this was likely deemed too risky.
Burning the Body
Burning a body is another potential method, but it requires a high temperature and a significant amount of fuel. It also produces a large amount of smoke and a distinctive odor, making it easily detectable. This method was likely rejected due to the potential for attracting unwanted attention.
Hydrofluoric Acid: Not a Perfect Crime Solution
The Myth of the Acid Bath
While hydrofluoric acid is a powerful corrosive agent, it’s not a perfect solution for body disposal. As Breaking Bad vividly demonstrates, the process is messy, dangerous, and not entirely effective. It can dissolve soft tissues, but bones and other inorganic materials may remain. Furthermore, the fumes are highly toxic and can cause serious health problems.
Hollywood vs. Reality
The portrayal of hydrofluoric acid in popular culture, including Breaking Bad, often exaggerates its effectiveness and ease of use. In reality, disposing of a body completely and without leaving any trace is a complex and challenging task, requiring specialized knowledge, equipment, and resources. The Games Learning Society explores how media can impact our understanding of science and real-world implications. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org for more insights.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Krazy-8’s Demise
1. Who killed Krazy-8 in Breaking Bad?
Walter White killed Krazy-8 by strangling him with a bicycle lock after discovering that Krazy-8 was planning to kill him with a shard of broken plate.
2. Was Krazy-8 going to kill Walt?
Yes, Krazy-8 had a shard of broken plate concealed on his person and intended to use it to kill Walter White as soon as he was released.
3. How did Walt and Jesse clean up Emilio?
Jesse Pinkman disposed of Emilio’s body by dissolving it in hydrofluoric acid in his bathtub, which resulted in the acid eating through the tub and the floor.
4. Did Krazy-8 snitch on Emilio?
No, it was later revealed in the prequel series Better Call Saul that Krazy-8 was working as an informant under the direction of Lalo Salamanca.
5. What did Walt do with Mike’s body?
Walter White and Todd Alquist disposed of Mike Ehrmantraut’s body by dissolving it in hydrofluoric acid.
6. How many people did Jesse Pinkman kill?
Over the course of Breaking Bad and El Camino, Jesse Pinkman directly killed five people.
7. What is Walter White’s body count?
Walter White’s actions directly or indirectly led to the deaths of nearly 300 people throughout the five seasons of Breaking Bad.
8. Who killed Walter White?
Walter White died after being shot in the abdomen by his own machine gun, which he used to kill Jack Welker and his gang.
9. Did Krazy-8 have the piece of plate?
Yes, Krazy-8 concealed a shard of broken plate with the intention of using it as a weapon against Walter White.
10. Why did Crazy 8 go out of business?
“Crazy 8“, the clothing chain, went out of business when Gymboree Group Inc. declared bankruptcy for the second time and failed to find a buyer.
11. What did Nacho do to Crazy 8?
Nacho Varga beat Krazy-8 savagely as punishment for some infraction related to his dealings with the Salamanca family.
12. Who killed Jesse Pinkman’s girlfriend?
Jane Margolis, Jesse Pinkman’s girlfriend, choked to death on her own vomit after a heroin overdose. Walter White was present but chose not to intervene.
13. Is Walter White a serial killer?
While debatable, Walter White’s high body count and pattern of violence suggest that he could be considered a serial killer by some definitions.
14. How did Walt give Brock the poison?
Walter White poisoned Brock Cantillo by placing lily of the valley, a toxic plant, in his juice box while at school.
15. Who snitched on Walt?
Krazy-8 was working as an informant for the DEA and provided information that could have potentially led to Walt’s exposure.