MARK TWITCHELL movie interview]: "The word has gotten around that I'm making a 100 million dollar movie for 60 grand, and some production and directing jobs have already come my way.". So, he dragged me back to the garage. Twitchell's first film project, a "Star Wars" fan film, had received some media buzz back in 2007. Det. Gilles Tetreault: He grabbed my jacket I jerked forward to make sure he had a good hold on it, and I thought it's the perfect time. And then, in a search of Twitchell's belongings, police found his laptop. I just remember reading it all and just was fascinated by this document going, "Holy mackerel.". Twitchell's film has never been released. Detective Clark was relentless, taking Twitchell on a tour of his old neighborhood. No root cause If I really were capable of premeditated murder Normal, healthy, well-adjusted 30-year-old men I once heard the legend of another worthy victim I dealt with his remains in a disrespectful manner that traumatized me forever psychopathic serial killer I quickly grew to resent and hate this man. More Details To Know, Gucci Family Story: A Heated Battle For House Of Gucci & Maurizios Murder, Lil Meech and Summer Walker Seemingly Confirm Romance, Bamboozle 2023 Canceled A Week Before Scheduled Dates, Fans Rejoice as Andrew Rannells and Tuc Watkins Reignite Their Relationship, Eva Green Wins $1 Million Lawsuit Against Producers of Failed Film A Patriot, Ed Sheeran Announces Intimate Subtract Tour in Support of New Album: Venues and Ticket Options Revealed, Citadel Episode 3: Release Date and Time on Prime Video. After reading about Mark Twitchell, the Dexter Killer, discover the story of Pedro Rodrigues Filho, Brazils Dexter-like serial killer. She graduated from Oberlin College, where she earned a double degree in American History and French. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. On Halloween morning 2008, while Twitchell was putting the finishing touches on his Halloween costume at his parents' home, police were busy laying a trap. And her suspicions kept growing with another email he sent. After cursorily shoving aside my human sensibilities, I dealt with his remains in a disrespectful manner that traumatized me forever.". Chris Heward: My character was killed with a samurai sword. He worked as a Canadian filmmaker and was convicted of first-degree murder in April 2011. They found Mark Twitchell guilty of first-degree murder, and he was sentenced to a minimum of 25 years in prison. Bill Clark: One of the things they had found was a hockey maskthe "SK Confessions" talked about how Mark Twitchell had worn this mask when he attacked both victims. What Shows Have Been Renewed or Canceled? In June 2010, as Mark Twitchell prepared to take the stand at his trial and argue that he had "accidentally" killed Johnny Altinger in self-defense, he decided to finally disclose the location of Altinger's body. And in a strange twist, Twitchell's been able to feed that obsession too. For detectives in the Edmonton Police Department, the disappearance of Johnny Altinger was a mystery in more ways than one. His friends, having broken into his condo and finding no evidence he had packed for a vacation, alerted the police. Det. When Gilles Tetreault went to meet his online date named "Sheena" at the set location of Twitchell's garage, he was attacked by Twitchell in a hockey mask. Michael McHugh is the producer-editor. BILL CLARK [to Twitchell in police car]: Look familiar Mark? Are we parked right on top of the sewer where you dumped the body? Steve Lillibuen: Mark Twitchell testified that this was all a big misunderstanding he had killed Johnny in self-defense . He is lucid. Steve Lillibuen (reading letter): "Nobody would side with Dexter Morgan if he went around slaughtering schoolteachers and mail carriers on a whim.". Little did they know the case was about to take an unusual turn. Heartbroken dad issues warning after son, 13, dies in TikTok challenge, Red flag after possible suspect in missing brothers case made eerie request, Two dead and four injured after 19-year-old 'opens fire at prom after party', $80k reward offered for shooting suspect Francisco Oropesa after five killed, 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Cops say killer Mark Twitchell is obsessed with the TV show Dexter, Mark Twitchell was sentenced to life in prison in April 2011. Renee: I'm a huge fan of the Showtime show "Dexter." Eventually, Twitchell revealed his true identity. And that's when I slipped out of the jacket, rolled underneath the garage door and then got up. Twitchell stated that he had caught up on everyDexterepisode that he missed since he was arrested and convicted. Bill Clark [with Roberts at sewer]: And he had marked an "X," "X" marks the spot, and took us right to this sewer cover here. Adding to their circumstantial case: Twitchell possessing Altinger's car, the "SK Confessions" document and his "Dexter" obsession. Under director, it has Mark Twitchell. Gilles Tetreault: That's when I was ready to fight I punched him and I felt really weak. He is targeting men that perhaps he would be interested in having a date with. Tetreault's story matched nearly word for word what was in "SK Confessions. JUSTICE DONE Steve Lillibuen [reading letter]: He writes, "I killed Johnny Altinger in a horrific accident of self-defense. Movie's over. After cursorily shoving aside my human sensibilities, I dealt with his remains in a disrespectful manner that traumatized me forever.". Twitchell also wrote the script of Day Players and shot a short horror film called House of Cards at the garage he rented in the south end of Edmonton. What Tetreault didn't realize was that he had been weakened by the effects of a stun baton. Along the way, Twitchell also seemed to develop an obsession with murder and death. Mark Twitchell, the Canadian movie maker turned killer who was inspired by the TV show Dexter, is the focus of another engrossing episode of Dateline NBC. His interest in the show was raised numerous times during his trial. Talking to CBS, the author called Twitchells insistence that Dexter had nothing to do with his crimes ridiculous and a logical disconnect.. KILLER Mark Twitchell has become known as the Dexter Killer due to his obsession with the TV show. In the document, the killer wrote about his kill room, explaining that it included "several rolls of painters plastic sheeting" and a 45-gallon steel drum "for the body parts" as well as a "game processing kit" containing multiple different knives and a serrated saw "for the bones". Det. The once talkative movie director barely uttered a line. Bill Clark: When we got the word that the DNA matched, we briefed our tactical teamour arrest team, and we had officers ready to make the arrest. Steve Lillibuen, a college professor and an investigative journalist, was covering the trial for the Edmonton Journal and went on to write a book, "The Devil's Cinema," about the case. Luminol tests later revealed excessive amounts of human blood that wasn't visible to the naked eye. The garage door will be open for you a touch, Sheena had written. According to CBC, a woman who met Twitchell through the Dexter Morgan Facebook page testified that they shared their love for the TV show through online messages. Susan Zirinsky and Judy Tygard are the executive producers, First published on April 23, 2022 / 11:12 PM. And then, not showing up for work? So, I thought, "Oh, well, you know, I'll be friends with him.". Twitchell even posed as Dexter Morgan on Facebook. The 29-year-old Canadian man had a wife and a young daughter, and aspirations of becoming a filmmaker. Mark Twitchell tells police about the deal he got on a red Mazda. They can never fail to surprise us. Steve Lillibuen: Mark Twitchell wrote to me quite extensively about his interest in "Dexter.". I said, "None of the blood splatter was from us.". He next tried to dump them into the river but was afraid of being seen. He spoke to them about his career in filmmaking, his wife, Jess, and his 8-month-old daughter, Chloe. And then in this case because he learned from Gilles that the Taser didn't work, he hit him over the head with a lead pipe. He had no history of violence and was hardly a suspect. Author Steve Lillibuen sold the rights to his book "The Devil's Cinema" to a film company. In May 2013, it was reported by the National Post that Twitchell had purchased a television for his prison cell. Mark Andrew Twitchell was born in Edmonton, Alberta, on July 4, 1979. Jimmy Siokos tells "48 Hours Mystery" about what it was like to work with Mark Twitchell on a "Star Wars" fan film. You know, we had a lot in common. Despite comparisons to the fictional TV character Dexter Morgan, in a letter to Steve Lillebuen, Twitchell writes, "As you're aware, Dexter has 'almost nothing' to do with my case. Once he arrived, police believe that Twitchell hit him over the head with a pipe, stabbed him to death, and then dismembered his body. Steve Lillibuen: still is adamant that this was not a planned and deliberate murder and to be frank, he is wrong. ", Steve Lillibuen [reading letter]: "It's what it is and I'm what I am.". Mr. Twitchell, 29, was arrested on Halloween and charged with the first-degree murder of Johnny Altinger, a 38-year-old pipeline-industry worker originally from White Rock, B.C. They have said the crime has parallels to the Showtime TV show He was lured out on the promise to meet this guy at this coffee shop And when he got about three blocks from his house, the tactical team swooped in on him and took him down. We could see what looked like pieces of human torso down there. That piece of tooth matched up to our victim. And he was stunned that I got up and started yelling at me to back down on the ground. The document was retrieved from Marks laptop despite being deleted. Twitchell stabbed and bludgeoned his victim before cutting him up and partially burning the body. Bill Clark: I don't think he ever imagined in a million years what would happen to him in that garage. Despite Twitchell telling the police that the document was a screenplay, investigators would come to find out it was a detailed account of Twitchell's crimes. Stars Wars stuff all over the unit, but hey, whatever people collect, they collect.". Det. Mark was arrested on October 31, 2008, and was charged with first-degree murder on the first day. The directions led police directly to Mark Twitchells door. Gilles Tetreault: He's about 6 foot and this black and gold hockey mask painted all painted up on his face. Det. But it was only a hunch. This time, he managed to get into his truck. His trial attracted particular media attention because Twitchell had allegedly been inspired by the fictional character Dexter Morgan. But just one week later, another man, Johnny Altinger, would answer a similar dating ad and disappear. Twitchell began writing to Lillibuen before he was even convicted in 2011. And since I was close to the lake, "You rent a boat and dump her out in the middle of Lake Erie. Bill Clark: It was unbelievable. Renee: We talked about you know, serial killers and, you know, the psychology behind a serial killer. There is no key. Armed with the directions, police were led directly to that garage. Julia Cowley: He's not killing bad guys. And they found dirty dishes. The day after Twitchell was arrested in connection to Altinger's death, police found a suspiciously deleted file on Twitchell's computer labeled "SK Confessions". But the question remains was Twitchell inspired to kill by the TV show? Twitchell stabbed and bludgeoned his victim before cutting him up and partially burning the body. We At a glance, Mark Twitchell seemed perfectly normal. Totally out out of character. "I wanted the weapon used for the deed itself to be simple, elegant and beautiful.". But what was real and what was fiction? A staff writer for All That's Interesting, Kaleena Fraga has also had her work featured in The Washington Post and Gastro Obscura, and she published a book on the Seattle food scene for the Eat Like A Local series. Gary Altinger: When I received that email And this e-mail was completely out of character. It's a combination of a sexual motive and thrill killing. Edmonton-raised Mark Andrew Twitchell was a fledgling filmmaker whose first major project, a green-screen fan film called Star Wars: Secrets of the Rebellion, One of the biggest mistakes I think that he made was he had no idea how we do our job and that was a huge advantage to us. Lillibuen said: "He wrote me probably 30 or 35 different letters - up to about 350 pages like an entire book worth. At first, Lillibuen didn't want to push Twitchell away with too many probing questions about his crimes. But no one knew not Twitchells Facebook friends nor his wife, Jess just how much Twitchell believed that he related. Lillebuen said: "He had a kill room set up with plastic sheeting. The garage had plastic sheets covering all the windows, a table with blood spatter, and cleaning supplies laid out. Altinger also informed his friends that he is going to meet this woman with whom hed been chatting. Gilles Tetreault: I'm scared that he might want to finish what he started and come after me. WebExtra: Jimmy Siokos on Mark Twitchell. Embarrassed and confused, Tetreault convinced himself that perhaps it wasn't as serious as he first thought. Web1.8M views 3 years ago Mark Twitchell was a film maker from Canada, who, one day, decided he wanted to turn one of his short films into a reality. Residents saw him flee the building, chased by a man wearing a hockey mask that was decorated in slashes of black and gold. Steve Lillibuen: He just said straight out, "If you're gonna be writing a book about me, you might as well come straight to the source.". Once Johnny went to the concerned place, Mark stepped him, before cutting him apart, partially burning him and then dumping his remains in garbage bags into a storm sewer. Three weeks after Altinger's disappearance, police charged Twitchell with first-degree murder. Concerns for Altingers safety were raised when friends and family received an email claiming to be from him, saying his date had taken him on an extended trip to Costa Rica. Desperate for some answers, Johnny's friends broke into his apartment. Episode 265: In October 2008, 38-year-old Johnny Altinger was looking for love online and, thinking hed found it, was lured to his death in a dingy south Edmonton, Alberta garage. This is what happened to me. Something inside my head just gave me red flags and said, "He did it.". This story is based on true events, Mark Twitchell wrote. Mark Twitchell was a Canadian filmmaker with big dreams and a production of a Star Wars prequel. Chris Heward: "How much of the blood splatter on the wall was from your filming?" Troy Roberts [watching interrogation video]: You didn't get much of a reaction, did you? In letters, Twitchell clung to his defense that he had no choice but to kill Johnny Altinger and then dismember him. No warning signs that something like this was on the horizon. We're gonna take a drive. Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) and later gained a Investigators say Twitchell was obsessed with the fictional serial killer at the center of the TV series "Dexter.". According to "SK Confessions," the killer then broke into Altinger's apartment and sent out those emails about taking an exotic vacation. I knew he couldn't hurt me anymore. Police cameras were rolling as a forensics team processed Twitchell's family car and the garage he rented. Mark already faced a maximums sentence of life in prison with no parole for 25 years so the court didnt find any need to proceed with more charges, and this charge was dropped against him. What other line is there to cross? Their email exchanges soon became dark. This article was published more than 14 years ago. Gilles Tetreault: And then he starts punching me on the side of the head. After Johnny Altinger disappeared, his friends received a strange message stating that hed met an extraordinary woman named Jen whod offered to take him on a nice long tropical vacation. Altingers friends found this highly suspicious. Police believed Mark Twitchell's garage resembled a scene right out of the Showtime series "Dexter." Bill Clark: Ultimately Mark Twitchell drove around with it, according to the "SK Confessions" document. Inside The Story Of Sawney Bean And His Clan Of Cannibal Killers That Inspired 'The Hills Have Eyes', What Stephen Hawking Thinks Threatens Humankind The Most, 27 Raw Images Of When Punk Ruled New York, Join The All That's Interesting Weekly Dispatch. But he claimed Altinger became enraged at being tricked, and he accidentally killed him in self-defense. So of course the police have tossed my house and impounded my car Not fun considering they won't find anything ". Twitchell's film has never been released. DET. He had a table set up for his victims. Twitchell claimed he bought the red Mazda for just $40, and that it was parked at a friend's house. Steve Lillibuen: The first time I met him, he actually had me laughing. Bill Clark and "48 Hours" contributor Troy Roberts watch Twitchell's reaction as Clark told him "I now know that you killed John Altinger. In the interview, police noticed that Twitchell had a lot of energy, considering the time of night.