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At a glance, Mark Twitchell seemed perfectly normal. GILLES TETREAULT [police interview]: I was off balance, I couldn't run I fell down on the gravel driveway and, uh, basically crawling. Bill Clark [in car in front of Twitchell's house]: What I said was, "We're investigating a missing persons. Det. Twitcher was inspired to shift from filmmaking to murdering people because of the fictional character Dexter Morgan. Mark Twitchell, a fringe filmmaker accused in a slaying that matched one of his scripts, spent earlier years feverishly hawking and buying Tetreault decided he wasn't waiting to find out. KILLER Mark Twitchell has become known as the Dexter Killer due to his obsession with the TV show. What other line is there to cross? Det. 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. I have never heard of this thing. His interest in the show was raised numerous times during his trial. living in the Midwest before returning to Canada to pursue a career in After all, she was an aspiring writer and a friendship with a movie maker could open doors. And Mark Twitchell's explaining, "Oh, no, that's my movie prop. He next tried to dump them into the river but was afraid of being seen. Police say Twitchell was fascinated by the fictional character in the hit Showtime series "Dexter." Yet Twitchell continued to make excuses. Twitchell even posed as Dexter Morgan on Facebook. The search of the car also led police to discover a deleted file on Mark Twitchell's laptop called "SK Confessions." Bill Clark: And we first drove to his parents' house where he had been staying. In fact, he seemed guilty of nothing more than wanting to brag about his film career. Bill Clark: You know, one of the first things we did was check the police records figuring hopefully someone called the police on this. Cowley believes Twitchell took pleasure in planning and executing his crimes as if they were romantic trysts. She was basically livin' on the main floor, he was livin' in the basement. Altingers remains were put into garbage bags and dumped in a storm sewer. Eventually, Twitchell revealed his true identity. His landlord said he and his wife were model tenants, even after they were divorced in late 2004 and Mark Twitchell moved into another unit in the townhouse complex. BILL CLARK [Mark Twitchell interrogation]: As I told you that night, I knew that you were involved in the disappearance at that time of Johnny Altinger. Renee: And I wanted her dead, at the time. But he maintained a core That he purchased a car for $40? The document was retrieved from Marks laptop despite being deleted. Dexter, which they say Mr. Twitchell idolized on his Facebook page. Julia Cowley: I think he identified with Dexter to some degree. June 10th actually. Troy Roberts: That was part of your plan, you're thinking he grabs my jacket, and I can get free . Det. He was sentenced to 25 years to life. It is what it is and I am what I am., Lillebuen, however, has his doubts. MARK ANSTEY [to reporters, holding up hockey mask]: We have some details on this male victim who was attacked, and we would like him to come forward. Adding to their circumstantial case: Twitchell possessing Altinger's car, the "SK Confessions" document and his "Dexter" obsession. Det. Gary Altinger: Not a message, nothing. Twitchell himself admitted to killing Altinger and authoring the document but he stated that he did it in self-defence. Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) and later gained a Mark, in the meantime, had prepared his kill room set up in his garage-turned-film-studio. Twitchell's first film project, a "Star Wars" fan film, had received some media buzz back in 2007. Tetreault was thrown back in the garage, but he surprised himself by rolling out again. A lot of people saw him as a loner. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. I knew he couldn't hurt me anymore. Julia Cowley: Yes. Mark Twitchell, The Dexter Killer Whose Obsession With The TV Show Led Him To Murder. BILL CLARK [interrogation]: There's absolutely no doubt in my mind that you're involved in the disappearance of John Altinger. 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. So of course the police have tossed my house and impounded my car Not fun considering they won't find anything ". And I'm going away with her to Costa Rica and I'll call you at Christmastime.". Patti Aronofsky is the senior producer. Secrets of the Rebellion, a feature-length fan film prequel to Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. small following among sci-fi fans when he directed Star Wars: Secrets Totally out out of character. He had a table set up for his victims. Twitchell's story may be coming to the big screen. Steve Lillibuen: Which, you know, I find quite surprising considering that the way he ended up in prison I believe it's been taken down since then. filmmaking. 2022 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. He is killing very innocent, good people living productive lives. In 2007, Twitchell directedStar Wars: Secrets Of The Rebellion, a full-length fan film prequel to Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. ", Lillibuen read one of Twitchell's letters: "I killed Johnny Altinger in a horrific accident of self-defense. Which is a it's actually a full-blown feature that's actually gonna have a decent budget in the neighborhood of about three-and-a-half million . Det. Lillebuen wrote a book about the case titled "The Devil's Cinema: The Untold Story Behind Mark Twitchell's Kill Room.". He was so embarrassed about the encounter, however, that Tetreault didnt tell anyone about it. Troy Roberts: And what were you thinking when when you heard this? Back at the station, Detective Clark and Mark Twitchell came face to face in the interrogation room once again. Updated on: April 26, 2022 / 11:45 AM That piece of tooth matched up to our victim. After this, the actor who played Dexter stated he did not think Dexter glamorized a serial killer. Bill Clark | Edmonton Police: To hear how everything happened it was like you're watching the movies But now we have it happening in real life. And in a strange twist, Twitchell's been able to feed that obsession too. Johnny Altinger's blood was found in the trunk of Mark Twitchell's family car a discovery which led to the filmmaker's arrest on Halloween day in 2008. 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. Det. Bill Clark: They learned, of course, the garage is rented out to an individual named Mark Twitchell. Twitchell wrote numerous letters to the journalist, with Lillibuen telling CBS Newsthat he found themurderer of Johnny Altingerto be very responsive to letter writing. Tetreault, who was 33 at the time, was excited to meet the woman who called herself "Sheena.". That identical strange message had gone out to all of Johnny's friends as well. The killer then attempted to burn the remains in a barrel but failed. Joan Adelman and Michelle Harris are the editors. But was the document a screenplay? He didn't have to. He lunged at his assailant and grabbed his weapon then realized that he was holding a plastic gun. Another man had been lured to the same garage and met a gruesome end. But no one knew not Twitchells Facebook friends nor his wife, Jess just how much Twitchell believed that he related. That profile had caught the attention of a woman named Renee from Cleveland, Ohio. Bill Clark: Well, John's friends were concerned. 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. Julia Cowley: He's not killing bad guys. In October 2008, Mark Twitchell put his dark side into action. Steve Lillibuen: I asked him a lotta softball questions just about who he was, his family, his upbringing -- all that kinda background detail. We all have a dark side, some darker than others and youre not the only one to relate to Dexter, Twitchell wrote in one message. "He had this kind of processing kit that was very similar to what Dexter uses.". And when it was done and I watched, I went, "Wow, that guy interviewed well.". BILL CLARK [interviewing Twitchell]: I'm gonna go get the car ready. Gilles Tetreault: I'm scared that he might want to finish what he started and come after me. Twitchell claimed he bought the red Mazda for just $40, and that it was parked at a friend's house. 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. Horse riding is another passion that keeps me going. Trump motion to dismiss E. Jean Carroll lawsuit denied, U.S. to let Afghan evacuees renew temporary legal status, Tornado hits Virginia Beach, likely damaging hundreds of homes, First Republic Bank seized by regulators, then sold to JPMorgan Chase, Texas man who lost wife and son in shooting shares story, Supreme Court to hear case that could curb power of federal agencies, Mental health of LGBTQ youth worsening in current "hostile political climate", Waiter killed, woman wounded in shooting at popular New Orleans restaurant, MasterChef Australia host Jock Zonfrillo found dead at 46, "He wrote me probably 30 or 35 different letters up to about 350 pages like an entire book worth," investigative journalist and author Steve Lillebuen said of Mark Twitchell. We're gonna take a drive. ", "SK Confessions" told the story of a man who was lured to a garage and stabbed to death a plot strikingly similar to "House of Cards. For other inquiries, Contact Us. Twitchell stated that he had caught up on everyDexterepisode that he missed since he was arrested and convicted. A passage from the document read as under: This story is based on true events. Everything's turning up negative. The directions led police directly to Mark Twitchells door. Easier to find a car than than a person. He said he intended to let both men go so they would create a buzz for his film by telling people that this had actually happened to them. Renee: I'm a huge fan of the Showtime show "Dexter." BILL CLARK [to Twitchell in police car]: So here we are back at the killing garage. Here's a few words from the director Mark Twitchell. DET. He referred to the document as fiction based on fact. Mark is often referred to as the Dexter Killer because of his fond love and personal identification with the lead character, Dexter Morgan. Troy Roberts: These weren't ramblings of a crazy man. His case gained extensive media coverage. Bill Clark: It's a missing persons case. Following the narrative, police believe Altinger was then stabbed and dismembered on a makeshift autopsy table. Gary Altinger: Where is he? It was a story without an ending. Mark Andrew Twitchell was born in Edmonton, Alberta, on July 4, 1979. DETECTIVE [interrogation]: I mean it's kinda odd that you're filming that kind of thing. Bill Clark: I just thought, "That's unbelievable." I I've shacked up with this really rich lady She's even gonna buy me a new car so I'm just looking to unload mine how much do you have on you?". Bill Clark: It's almost like, at times, Mark Twitchell lives in a fantasy world. The recently aired CBS episode delves into this aspiring serial killers psyche. And a week later, another man, 38-year-old Johnny Altinger, went to meet a date at Twitchells garage. Gary Altinger, Johnny's older brother, says the last time anyone heard from him was on October 10, 2008, when the 38-year-old left for a date with a woman named "Jen.". And we have nothing. In 2007, Twitchell directedStar Wars: Secrets Of The Rebellion, a full-length fan film prequel to Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. Host Jian Ghomeshi brought up the case of Mark Twitchell, who was convicted in 2011 of luring, murdering and dismembering an Edmonton man. Talking to CBS, the author called Twitchells insistence that Dexter had nothing to do with his crimes ridiculous and a logical disconnect.. And then you just go in through the garage.". Gary Altinger: When I received that email And this e-mail was completely out of character. Gilles Tetreault: And then he starts punching me on the side of the head. 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. And you can write it all down. These are the words of Mark Twitchell, written to investigative journalist and author Steve Lillibuen: Steve Lillibuen [reading letters]: "It would appear that I'm unique in the world. Once again, the victim believed he had met a woman on PlentyOfFish and followed her online instructions to Twitchells garage. On October 31, 2008, Mark Twitchell was charged with the first degree murder. Steve Lillibuen: Mark Twitchell wrote to me quite extensively about his interest in "Dexter.". Mark Twitchell, The 'Dexter Killer' Inspired To Murder By During questioning, filmmaker Mark Twitchell appeared to be eager to help investigators. Moreover, he wore a hockey mask when he attacked his two victims. Twitchell had attempted to lure another victim to his kill room earlier that month. And it worked. We don't even know if we have a crime. Det. "SK CONFESSIONS" PASSAGE: "Please stop hitting me oh my skull.". Troy Roberts: And when did you grow concerned. What's going on? Police would not say whether Mr. Altinger's killing was filmed or comment on reports that Mr. Twitchell's production company, Xpress Entertainment, had earlier purchased off the Internet a high-voltage telescoping stun baton. The public's attention drew to him after he was allegedly known to be inspired by Dexter Morgan, a fictional character. At his garage, they found an eerily Dexter-like scene that included plastic sheets on the window, a blood-splattered table, and cleaning supplies. In May 2013, it was reported by the National Post that Twitchell had purchased a television for his prison cell. I still think about the stun gun. We An initial search of the garage uncovered what appeared to be blood spatter, which Mark Twitchell told police came from the "House of Cards" execution scene he was filming. Det. By now, Renee had called police. The garage door will be open for you a touch, Sheena had written. Steve Lillibuen: Mark Twitchell had actually been granted access to finish watching the series while he was incarcerated. In 2012, Michael C. Hall was asked about Mark Twitchell on a Canadian radio program. MICHAEL C. HALL (audio): it is horrifying to entertain the notion that something you did inspired that. Steve Lillibuen: He has very much that salesman slick behavior, he knows how to put it on to get people to like him. The man who was tricked into that very bad date in Twitchell's garage, Gilles Tetreault, continues to be haunted by the experience. MURDERER Mark Twitchell has become known as the Dexter killer due to his obsession with the TV show. Gilles Tetreault: I couldn't believe it. Mark Twitchell tells investigators that he had bought a red Mazda off a stranger for $40 and that it was parked at a friend's house. So, police kept searching on their own, looking in sewer after sewer. Julia Cowley: He's a depraved individual, and he knows that. Gilles Tetreault: That's when I was ready to fight I punched him and I felt really weak. In March of 2011, Mark Twitchell went on trial for the murder of Johnny Altinger. DET. Mark Twitchell is a real-life killer inspired by the fictional character Dexter Morgan. While Twitchell was not initially a suspect, he told cops an unlikely story that Altinger sold his Mazda 6 to him for 40 Canadian dollars. Steve Lillebuen who wrote The Devils Cinema read a part of Marks letters that read as: It would appear that Im unique in the world. View our online Press Pack. Joss Hnatiuk met Mark Twitchell on a Star Wars fan message board. Prosecutors called Gilles Tetreault to testify, and to prove that what Twitchell described in "SK Confessions" was not a work of fiction but an account of what had actually happened. John was very, very, very responsible. But Twitchell remained silent. DET. But just one week later, another man, Johnny Altinger, would answer a similar dating ad and disappear. These letters help us delve into the horrific mind of an aspirational serial killer who could have killed many if he had not been caught on time. News of the arrest shocked friends and family of both the accused and the victim. I didnt know what was going on, he said in the documentary My Online Nightmare. Johnny Altinger's friends were also able to hand over the directions Johnny had forwarded them before his date. What's Mark Twitchell's psyche? 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. Det. He's very charismatic. 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. Det. "SK Confessions," which police had been dissecting word by word, spoke volumes. The strange story about the red car, the serial killer movie being filmed for Clark it could only mean one thing. Steve Lillibuen [reading letter]: He writes, "I killed Johnny Altinger in a horrific accident of self-defense. Maybe Mark Twitchell wanted to kill like Dexter, and maybe he didnt. Gilles Tetreault: And I tried to run and all of a sudden my legs wouldn't work I just fell, boom right on the gravel driveway. This is the story of my progression into becoming a serial killer., In the document, he described setting up his kill room and gathering plastic sheeting, a steel drum for the body parts, as well as weapons like a butcher knife, a fillet knife, and a serrated saw for the bones.. Det. Produced by Asena Basak. Probably one of the biggest pieces, a piece of tooth that was found inside there. Steve Lillibuen: Twitchell's been dubbed "The Dexter Killer" because of the numerous links between the television series and the real-life crimes. In letters, Twitchell clung to his defense that he had no choice but to kill Johnny Altinger and then dismember him. Mr. Twitchell went to school in Edmonton and did postgraduate studies in radio and television in the Alberta capital. The police, not believing this story, impounded Twitchell's laptop and car, and found Altinger's blood in the car's trunk. According to "SK Confessions," the killer then broke into Altinger's apartment and sent out those emails about taking an exotic vacation. According to investigative reporter, Steve Lillibuen, Twitchell enjoyed communicating through writing. In 2017, he was allowed to join an online dating website for inmates. Troy Roberts: And what did you take that to mean? Troy Roberts: You guys were driving around and there was a camera trained on him in the back of the police car. So he was, you know, just a typical local guy who had dreams of making it big in Hollywood and really no red flags. Twitchell's film has never been released. According to the Edmonton Journal, he made a fan film called Star Wars: Secrets of the Rebellion that generated buzz online. The once talkative movie director barely uttered a line. 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. You know, the fight for my life . After reading about Mark Twitchell, the Dexter Killer, discover the story of Pedro Rodrigues Filho, Brazils Dexter-like serial killer. But the property also had a second purpose: a man was planning on parking here and ducking under the bay door as he headed toward the house, where a beautiful woman supposedly Bill Clark: We had a, you know, luminol tests done on the floor. He wanted to say that he planned his death deliberately to create a compelling story. Seven days after Tetreault was attacked, police say Twitchell wasn't going to make the same mistake twice. Embarrassed and confused, Tetreault convinced himself that perhaps it wasn't as serious as he first thought. 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.". When Tetreault got home, he discovered the profile on the dating site had been deleted. Why didn't I tell somebody where I am?". The story begins in October 2008. MARK TWITCHELL movie interview]: "The word has gotten around Two weeks after the disappearance of Johnny Altinger at a garage film set, police had sharpened their focus on filmmaker Mark Twitchell. I believe the victim entered the garage and was attacked by another male who was wearing a hockey mask . Police believed "SK" was shorthand for "serial killer. Desperate for some answers, Johnny's friends broke into his apartment. Det. It says that Jeremy Bulloch is in the movie and it says it's coming out in June. The Sun additionally reported that passages in SK Confessions lined up almost perfectly with Gilles Tetreaults police interview, as Tetreault had come forward with his own experience after reading about Twitchells arrest. Two weeks before Altinger's disappearance he shot a low budget horror film about a man using an online dating service to lure victims to their deaths. ", "The Dexter Killer:" Inside the mind of a murderer. This article was published more than 14 years ago. Troy Roberts: How do you get away with it? 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. Bill Clark: So, I know that this diary we have is true. So, he's not crazy. View agent, publicist, legal and company contact details on IMDbPro. He was to be in Provincial Court yesterday to enter a plea, but the case was put over to Nov. 26 so lawyers for both parties can sift through the evidence. "SK Confessions" described the killer finally choosing a sewer to dump the remains, but that's where the pages stopped. I have to come forward.". And if anything happens to me, you'll know where to look.". This time, he managed to get into his truck. Under director, it has Mark Twitchell. He is still in Saskatchewan Federal Penitentiary. Is he takin' another weapon out?". 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. Are we parked right on top of the sewer where you dumped the body? And again, he voluntarily agreed to answer more questions. WebHis name was Mark Twitchell and the aspiring filmmaker was renting a two-door garage (above) in Edmonton, Canada as his make-shift film studio. Steve Lillibuen: I learned really quickly that he preferred to talk through writing. When I looked at the weapons that was my first sign. The only witness the defense called was Mark Twitchell and he had one unbelievable tale to tell. Bill Clark: His red Mazda was missing. 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, MURDERER Mark Twitchell has become known as the Dexter killer due to his obsession with the TV show. Cops say his fascination with the fictional TV killer carried over into his real-life crimes. Who is Mark Twitchell? Mark Andrew Twitchell was born in Edmonton, Alberta, on July 4, 1979. 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. Later, Twitchell insisted that hed lured Tetreault and Altinger to the garage because he thought hed attack them and let them escape so that when his movie came out theyd come forward, thus creating buzz.. It's a combination of a sexual motive and thrill killing. Det. "I'd ask him one question and I'd get 10 pages back as an answer.". As Twitchell tells it, he was forced to kill Altinger in self-defense. At that instant, I knew there was no date.. Police soon discovered that the Twitchell marriage was already fractured. Gilles Tetreault: I wasn't really afraid of him at that time. Lillibuen said: "He wrote me probably 30 or 35 different letters - up to about 350 pages like an entire book worth. So anytime I'd seen one I'd always have my flashlight with me and would get out and actually take a look. Large amounts of blood had been spilled on the floor of the garage. Bill Clark and "48 Hours" contributor Troy Roberts watch Twitchell's reaction as Clark told him "I now know that you killed John Altinger. His trial attracted particular media attention because Twitchell had allegedly been inspired by the fictional character Dexter Morgan. For the first time on television, Lillibuen is revealing the contents of Twitchell's letters. Their email exchanges soon became dark. What Tetreault heard next came as an even greater shock. It's a rare look inside the mind of a killer. Just a few days later, Mark Twitchell sent a message to his Facebook friend. When not at work, you can find me at the stable. Jimmy Siokos tells "48 Hours Mystery" about what it was like to work with Mark Twitchell on a "Star Wars" fan film. This is what happened to me. And since I was close to the lake, "You rent a boat and dump her out in the middle of Lake Erie. His reaction was pure Hollywood.". No doubt in my mind at all Mark. Marks fetish for Dexter did not rest in peace even after his conviction. "I crossed the line and I did something and I liked it". Bill Clark: In any homicide investigation you obviously want to bring closure to the family So not only do you want to make that phone call saying, "We got the guy that did this to your loved one," but in this case, we wanted to say to 'em, look, "we found Johnny.". Gary Altinger: They found his passport. According to CBS, he admitted to killing Altinger but insisted that Altinger had become enraged when he realized that the date was a set up. Lillebuen said: "He had a kill room set up with plastic sheeting. Twitchell, then 29 years old, a married man with a young daughter, had used the garage as a set for a recent movie project.