The Many Lives of Benjaman Kyle Documentary Delivers a Riveting Look at Its Twists and Turns

Shannon and Eric Evangelista, the documentary filmmakers behind The Curious Case of Natalia Grace, spent 11 years making The Many Lives of Benjaman Kyle, a new Investigation Discovery series that also streams on HBO Max. The two-part project follows the long and complicated effort to uncover the true identity of a man known for years as Benjaman Kyle, who claimed to suffer from an unusual form of amnesia that erased nearly two decades of his memory.

The series centers on a man who was found naked behind a Burger King in rural Georgia in August 2004. Calling himself “B.K.” at the time, he became the subject of a public mystery that drew media attention and television appearances, but his identity remained unresolved for years. According to the Evangelistas, the man was eventually identified as William Powell of Lafayette, Indiana.

The filmmakers say their investigation revealed that Powell’s amnesia story was not genuine. Eric Evangelista described the claim as fabricated, while Shannon Evangelista said the team found evidence that Powell had repeatedly maintained and revised versions of his memory loss story over time. They also say computer evidence showed he searched for his real identity online in an effort to reconnect with Social Security benefits and obtain a legitimate ID.

The documentary suggests that Powell’s false identity may have been designed for self-protection. The Evangelistas say they uncovered a violent and shady past tied to a powerful Midwestern crime family, and that threats followed once production moved closer to those allegations. To protect themselves, they hired retired FBI special agent Ken Maxwell, who became a key figure in the investigation.

Maxwell and the Evangelistas describe a tense final interview with Powell in December 2016, when he was confronted with the evidence they had gathered. They say the meeting became heated and ended with Powell reacting angrily and leaving the room. Maxwell, who has worked dangerous cases before, said Powell was still physically capable but noted that his age and lifestyle did not eliminate the risk of future aggression.

Season one ends before the story is fully resolved, with the filmmakers saying they had only uncovered Powell’s motive by the end of the first chapter. Shannon Evangelista said she has already outlined a second season and shared a full episode breakdown with Investigation Discovery. The filmmakers believe more information could surface if viewers come forward with new tips after watching the series.

While no renewal has been announced, the ending leaves open the possibility of more episodes. The Many Lives of Benjaman Kyle aired over two nights on Investigation Discovery and is now available to stream on HBO Max.