When I saw that they were real, I thought, "This is off. This is who he is. A passage from the document read as under: This story is based on true events. Gilles Tetreault: I wasn't really afraid of him at that time. Twitchell wrote numerous letters to the journalist, with Lillibuen telling CBS Newsthat he found themurderer of Johnny Altingerto be very responsive to letter writing. Chris Heward: My character was killed with a samurai sword. It's a combination of a sexual motive and thrill killing. At a glance, Mark Twitchell seemed perfectly normal. Writing gives me a sense of freedom and independence. In 2007, Twitchell directed Star Wars: Secrets of the Rebellion, a full-length fan film set a few days before Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. I didn't really go into anything more, but I think that was enough. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. DETECTIVE [interrogation]: Altinger Does that name ring a bell to you or mean anything to you? According to the Edmonton Journal, he made a fan film called Star Wars: Secrets of the Rebellion that generated buzz online. 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.". Star Wars - Secrets of the Rebellion. "He had this kind of processing kit that was very similar to what Dexter uses.". It's the same mask, everything. Maybe Mark Twitchell wanted to kill like Dexter, and maybe he didnt. He next tried to dump them into the river but was afraid of being seen. The prosecution's case was that Twitchell had turned his House of Cards movie script into a Cops arrested Twitchell on October 31, 2008, and charged him with first degree murder. He worked as a Canadian filmmaker and was convicted of first-degree murder in April 2011. 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. I said, "None of the blood splatter was from us.". And it was a little taste of his own medicine, I guess. Star Wars toys over the Internet before his wife divorced him, alleging "extreme and repeated mental cruelty. He sort of describes it in seductive language. This is the story of my progression into becoming a, . It contained all details about Marks planning, failed attempts, successful attempts and even the process of how he dismembered the body and disposed of the remains., Joe Metheny: The Baltimore Cannibal Who Turned Human Victims Into Hamburgers, Did You Know That A Woman Started Fathers Day? Are we parked right on top of the sewer where you dumped the body? Steve Lillibuen: I learned really quickly that he preferred to talk through writing. Twitchell himself admitted to killing Altinger and authoring the document but he stated that he did it in self-defence. In March of 2011, Mark Twitchell went on trial for the murder of Johnny Altinger. Det. Something inside my head just gave me red flags and said, "He did it.". 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. Please enter valid email address to continue. He had taken his vehicle; it couldn't be found. DET. Large amounts of blood had been spilled on the floor of the garage. Steve Lillibuen: Mark Twitchell wrote to me quite extensively about his interest in "Dexter.". 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. Det. The search of the car also led police to discover a deleted file on Mark Twitchell's laptop called "SK Confessions." He rented a garage, found potential victims on dating apps, and set the scene with plastic sheeting, a table, and different kinds of weapons. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. Tetreault, who was 33 at the time, was excited to meet the woman who called herself "Sheena.". You put her in trash bags, like Dexter." Mark Twitchell, a filmmaker turned into a killer, is now counting his days in prison in 2022. Those directions led police directly to that garage, which turned out to be rented to an aspiring filmmaker named Mark Twitchell. Mr. Twitchell went to school in Edmonton and did postgraduate studies in radio and television in the Alberta capital. The film still hasnt been released to date. Steve Lillibuen: I asked him a lotta softball questions just about who he was, his family, his upbringing -- all that kinda background detail. This story is based on true events, Mark Twitchell wrote. He was then stabbed to death. He had no history of violence and was hardly a suspect. Troy Roberts: That was part of your plan, you're thinking he grabs my jacket, and I can get free . Troy Roberts [outside Twitchell's garage]: What was the most damning piece of evidence that you discovered? After cursorily shoving aside my human sensibilities, I dealt with his remains in a disrespectful manner that traumatized me forever.". On October 3, 2008, Gilles Tetreault drove to a garage in Edmonton, believing that he was about to meet a woman named Sheena whom hed met on a dating site called PlentyOfFish. ", "The Dexter Killer:" Inside the mind of a murderer. Twitchell's story may be coming to the big screen. WebMark Twitchell had turned his obsession with Star Wars into making a fan film. So of course the police have tossed my house and impounded my car Not fun considering they won't find anything ". Police discovered Twitchell spent countless hours making elaborate Halloween costumes. In May 2013, it was reported by the National Post that Twitchell had purchased a television for his prison cell. What's he gonna do? John was very, very, very responsible. You have entered an incorrect email address! Gilles Tetreault [driving]: I was actually late, so I was driving quite fast to get there. And when it was done and I watched, I went, "Wow, that guy interviewed well.". You know, be careful And John said, "Yeah, well, here's the directions. Renee: We talked about you know, serial killers and, you know, the psychology behind a serial killer. DET. And again, he voluntarily agreed to answer more questions. On October 31, 2008, Mark Twitchell was charged with the first degree murder. No root cause there is no school bully or impressionably gory movies or Showtime television series to point the finger at. Bill Clark and "48 Hours" contributor Troy Roberts watch Twitchell's reaction as Clark told him "I now know that you killed John Altinger. Once again, the victim believed he had met a woman on PlentyOfFish and followed her online instructions to Twitchells garage. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. 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. Hours later, Twitchell even agreed to let officers back into the garage where he had filmed "House of Cards." The hockey mask wearing man had ordered him to the ground at gunpoint. So anytime I'd seen one I'd always have my flashlight with me and would get out and actually take a look. Mark is often referred to as the Dexter Killer because of his fond love and personal identification with the lead character, Dexter Morgan. Soon after the divorce, Mark Twitchell returned to Edmonton to spearhead a low-budget $60,000 Twitchell had attempted to lure another victim to his kill room earlier that month. The strange story about the red car, the serial killer movie being filmed for Clark it could only mean one thing. He had no job. 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. Ever. Det. But there was one clue that would give police their first big break in the case. Movie's over. View our online Press Pack. Mark, in the meantime, had prepared his kill room set up in his garage-turned-film-studio. Twichells first-degree murder trial contained a key piece of evidence entitled SK Confessions, which meant Serial Killer Confessions. Mark Andrew Twitchell was born in Edmonton, Alberta, on July 4, 1979. Gilles Tetreault: Finally, I look back, and that's when I see this man kinda hovering over me with a hockey mask There's just this chill down my back, as I wow, this is no date. He wouldn't do this to us. When they found Altingers blood in Twitchells car, they arrested him on Oct. 31, 2008. The newfound evidence including letters reveals how this psycho killer planned the murder(s). Det. Det. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. The 29-year-old Canadian man had a wife and a young daughter, and aspirations of becoming a filmmaker. Det. He became especially enchanted with the American TV show Dexter, which follows the story of a blood-splatter expert who kills murderers that avoided prosecution. The garage door will be open for you a touch, Sheena had written. The police, not believing this story, impounded Twitchell's laptop and car, and found Altinger's blood in the car's trunk. That identical strange message had gone out to all of Johnny's friends as well. Or was it in fact Mark Twitchell's confession of murder? Gary Altinger: I've met a woman named Jen. Showtime is a division of Paramount Global, which owns CBS. MURDERER Mark Twitchell has become known as the Dexter killer due to his obsession with the TV show. Mark Andrew Twitchell was born in Edmonton, Alberta, on July 4, 1979. Julia Cowley: Yes. 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. Gilles Tetreault: I really thought it was a mugging at the time. But the question remains was Twitchell inspired to kill by the TV show? 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. After a brief scuffle, Tetreault was able to overpower his attacker and escape from the garage. DET. It came out that Mark used a dating site to allure men by presenting himself as a woman. She thinks she knows what made Twitchell tick. It has no bearing whatsoever on what actually happened., Twitchell added, There is no root cause no school bully or impressionably gory movies or video game violence or Showtime television series to point the finger at. In 2008, John Brian Altinger, 38-year-old former White Rock, B.C., oilfield equipment manufacturer known to his friends as Johnny, interacted with Mark on the dating website Plenty of Fish. You wanna tell us where the body is now? Totally out out of character. Tell me about that. This article was published more than 14 years ago. His reaction was pure Hollywood.". The evidence in The Dexter Killer case and newly revealed letters from police stated that Mark wanted to be like the fictional character Dexter Morgan. "I crossed the line and I did something and I liked it". Renee: I thought it was gonna be like a working relationship, a working friendship. ", "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. Det. Mark Twitchell, The Dexter Killer Whose Obsession With The TV Show Led Him To Murder. A staffer, who asked not to be named, said he knew him briefly: "I knew he was into movies and directed films, but nothing beyond that.". They can never fail to surprise us. 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". 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. Gilles Tetreault: I can't do this, I gotta fight back so I got up and I ripped the tape off my eyes. Bill Clark: Gilles Tetreault was online on the plentyoffish.com website Which is a dating site. Twitchell's response to Hall's comments was to downplay his fascination with the "Dexter" character. Steve Lillibuen: He has very much that salesman slick behavior, he knows how to put it on to get people to like him. 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. Det. His trial attracted particular media attention because Twitchell had allegedly been inspired by the fictional character Dexter Morgan. And that's when I slipped out of the jacket, rolled underneath the garage door and then got up. Following the narrative, police believe Altinger was then stabbed and dismembered on a makeshift autopsy table. Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) and later gained a And then, in a search of Twitchell's belongings, police found his laptop. Det. On one of his blogsites, Mr. Twitchell wrote last year that he felt he was answering a higher calling to re-energize a franchise that creator George Lucas had fumbled by focusing more on computer imagery than plotlines. Det. 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. Who is Mark Twitchell? Det. Mark said, Its what it is and Im what I am. The Dexter Killer is still serving his sentence in Saskatchewan Federal Penitentiary and still enjoys watching Dexter. No doubt in my mind at all Mark. On October 3, 2008, Gilles Tetreault followed directions to a location in Edmonton where he was supposed to meet a woman named "Sheena" he met online. Thats about people with criminal minds. Bill Clark: They learned, of course, the garage is rented out to an individual named Mark Twitchell. Embarrassed and confused, Tetreault convinced himself that perhaps it wasn't as serious as he first thought. "I'd ask him one question and I'd get 10 pages back as an answer.". 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. Bill Clark: Based on the emails, they talk about Costa Rica, the officers search all the parking lots at the airport It's not found. Gary Altinger: When I received that email And this e-mail was completely out of character. Both Lillebuen and police say that Twitchell's fascination with the TV killer Dexter Morgan carried over into his real-life crimes. Troy Roberts: So, I mean, you spoke to him a couple of times a day online? This is the greatest feeling I ever felt in my life, because then I knew I had a fighting chance to get away. His friends, having broken into his condo and finding no evidence he had packed for a vacation, alerted the police. Bill Clark: We got an undercover operator to work the internet and pretend he was gonna an investor. The man who was tricked into that very bad date in Twitchell's garage, Gilles Tetreault, continues to be haunted by the experience. Mark was born in Edmonton, Alberta and always dreamt of making blockbuster films. 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". Edmonton JournalDexter Killer Mark Twitchell was an aspiring filmmaker whose scripts bore a striking resemblance to his crimes. Julia Cowley: Mark Twitchell cannot be rehabilitated. ", Steve Lillibuen [reading letter]: "It's what it is and I'm what I am.". 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. But what was real and what was fiction? 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, Once you find out the whole story I knew at that point it was not just a mugging. In early 2011, Mark Twitchell faced charges of the first-degree murder for killing John Brian Altinger. Mark Twitchell, 29, had rented the garage space to film his movie "House of Cards." Is he takin' another weapon out?". News of the arrest shocked friends and family of both the accused and the victim. What Tetreault didn't realize was that he had been weakened by the effects of a stun baton. Then a year-and-a-half after Johnny Altinger disappeared, Twitchell, while awaiting trial, broke his silence and gave the police a map. WebStar Wars: Secrets of the Rebellion was directed by Mark Twitchell, a Canadian producer, actor, and director. She graduated from Oberlin College, where she earned a double degree in American History and French. They were now convinced it was no screenplay, but rather a diary of murder. filmmaking. Det. For detectives in the Edmonton Police Department, the disappearance of Johnny Altinger was a mystery in more ways than one. 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. BILL CLARK [to Twitchell in police car]: Look familiar Mark? Marks fetish for Dexter did not rest in peace even after his conviction. Twitchell's film has never been released. Tetreault fought back in a violent struggle and escaped the horrific scene, but didn't report the attack until seeing the hockey mask at a police press conference following Altinger's death. For other inquiries, Contact Us. According to "SK Confessions," the killer then broke into Altinger's apartment and sent out those emails about taking an exotic vacation. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. Bill Clark: It was basically almost like a movie script. living in the Midwest before returning to Canada to pursue a career in What other line is there to cross? BILL CLARK [interviewing Twitchell]: I'm gonna go get the car ready. Police believed Mark Twitchell's garage resembled a scene right out of the Showtime series "Dexter." The media even fought an application to lift bans on covering his trial. During questioning, filmmaker Mark Twitchell appeared to be eager to help investigators. Weeks, then months, passed and still no luck. living in the Midwest before returning to Canada to pursue a career in After cursorily shoving aside my human sensibilities, I dealt with his remains in a disrespectful manner that traumatized me forever.". Mark Twitchell was a Canadian filmmaker with big dreams and a production of a Star Wars prequel. Gilles Tetreault: And he tore a piece of tape and he covered my eyes with it. Throughout their correspondence, Lillibuen continued to grapple with what drove Twitchell and then Twitchell told him: Steve Lillibuen [reading letter]: "There is no key. The show follows the adventures of Dexter Morgan, a blood-spatter expert by day and psychotic knife-wielding vigilante butcher by night. The Devil's Cinema Penguin Random House / My Space. Horse riding is another passion that keeps me going. It just so happened that the police were looking for Johnny Altinger's red Mazda. Altingers remains were put into garbage bags and dumped in a storm sewer. The killer then attempted to burn the remains in a barrel but failed. We could see what looked like pieces of human torso down there. Tetreault fought back in a violent struggle and escaped the horrific scene, but didn't report the attack until seeing the hockey mask at a police press conference following Altinger's death. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. He was also lured in the same manner as Altinger. Secrets of the Rebellion, a feature-length fan film prequel to Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. They divorced within 4 years. So, he dragged me back to the garage. After all, she was an aspiring writer and a friendship with a movie maker could open doors. He spoke to them about his career in filmmaking, his wife, Jess, and his 8-month-old daughter, Chloe. Adding to their circumstantial case: Twitchell possessing Altinger's car, the "SK Confessions" document and his "Dexter" obsession. Police began digging deeper into his background. Altingers remains were put into garbage bags and dumped in a storm sewer. 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. Troy Roberts: What are you thinking when you hear that? In the end, the jury took just five hours to find Mark Twitchell guilty. He wasnt everybodys friend. Jimmy Siokos tells "48 Hours Mystery" about what it was like to work with Mark Twitchell on a "Star Wars" fan film. "He had this kind of processing kit that was very similar to what Dexter uses.". Their email exchanges soon became dark. Star_Wars_(film) dbr:Parole; Luminol tests later revealed excessive amounts of human blood that wasn't visible to the naked eye. And there's this huge revelation about "Oh yeah, I bought a red car off a guy." I knew he couldn't hurt me anymore. He even talked about driving around with him and pulling up beside people at red lights and looking at them thinking that "they don't know I have a dead body in the trunk of my car.". Joan Adelman and Michelle Harris are the editors. Gradually though, Marks life went from making the stories through film to He's very charismatic. Twitchell posed as a woman on the Plenty of Fish dating site and set up a meeting with John Altinger, 38, on October 10, 2008. He is still in Saskatchewan Federal Penitentiary. At first, Lillibuen didn't want to push Twitchell away with too many probing questions about his crimes. Johnny Altinger's friends were also able to hand over the directions Johnny had forwarded them before his date. Desperate for some answers, Johnny's friends broke into his apartment. small following among sci-fi fans when he directed Star Wars: Secrets Det. He had no history of violence and was hardly a suspect. Produced by Asena Basak. 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.". Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Detective Clark was relentless, taking Twitchell on a tour of his old neighborhood. Though his assailant had a gun, Tetreault decided to take his chances and fight back. Lillibuen said: "He wrote me probably 30 or 35 different letters - up to about 350 pages like an entire book worth. Bill Clark: His red Mazda was missing. of the Rebellion (2007), a fan film for the Star Wars franchise that Det. Gilles Tetreault: At first, I was in shock. I was just really bewildered. Det. I think he is different than Dexter. Troy Roberts: These weren't ramblings of a crazy man. But it was only a hunch. Though Twitchell claimed that the death of Johnny Altinger in October 2008 was self-defense and that hed only been trying to film a movie a movie about luring men to a garage and killing them police found a script hed tried to delete describing the murder scene in precise, chilling detail. But police had found a helpful clue during the search of Twitchell's home. Bill Clark[driving]: So, all these manhole covers were pulled off in this alley. Both Lillebuen and police say that Twitchell's fascination with the TV killer Dexter Morgan carried over into his real-life crimes. Gilles Tetreault: And then he starts punching me on the side of the head. Julia Cowley: I think he identified with Dexter to some degree. Twitchell posed as a woman on the Plenty of Fish dating site and set up a meeting with John Altinger, 38, on October 10, 2008. Lourdes Aguiar and Anthony Venditti are also producers. CBS News 48 Hours The Dexter Killer aired on April 23, 2022. And since Altinger had shared the driving directions sent by his date before he disappeared, they reported him missing and forwarded the directions to the police. Thats when I looked back to see this man hovering [behind] me with a hockey mask. Mark Twitchell tells police about the deal he got on a red Mazda. The directions led police directly to Mark Twitchells door. 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. Steve Lillibuen: So, the motive is the mystery, the why did he do this. 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. Experts say it's a long shot, but it worries Tetreault. Gilles Tetreault: And it's the same hockey mask that I saw. But Twitchell claimed he could explain everything. The Dexter killer, whose real name is Mark Andrew Twitchell is a Canadian filmmaker who is convicted of the first-degree murder of John The public's attention drew to him after he was allegedly known to be inspired by Dexter Morgan, a fictional character. The murder charges have yet to proven in court and Mr. Twitchell has yet to make an appearance. It's really freaky too And as soon as they called me on the phone I got this weird chill. Michael McHugh is the producer-editor. John Altinger. That doesnt change the fact that his crimes, and Dexters fictional ones, have obvious parallels. He worked as a Canadian filmmaker and was convicted of first 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. WebMark Twitchell IMDbPro Starmeter See rank He graduated from a radio and television program at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) and later gained a small Det. So anything you guys have in this, or if you've ever even heard of it, post away, because I have no idea what this is. OFFICER [to Twitchell outside garage]: Bring back any memories? 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. 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. Steve Lillebuen exchanged dozens letters with Mark Twitchell during a three-year period. Det. Altinger also informed his friends that he is going to meet this woman with whom hed been chatting. "There was She was basically livin' on the main floor, he was livin' in the basement. Twitchell, then 29 years old, a married man with a young daughter, had used the garage as a set for a recent movie project. So, I'm like, "Oh no, what am I gonna do now. He had a table set up for his victims. He added, It sometimes scares me how much I relate.. Troy Roberts: Why didn't you go to the police immediately? 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. According to investigative reporter, Steve Lillibuen, Twitchell enjoyed communicating through writing. WebMark Andrew Twitchell (born July 4, 1979) is a Canadian filmmaker convicted of first-degree murder in April 2011 for the murder of John Brian Altinger. His trial attracted particular media attention because Twitchell had allegedly been inspired by the fictional character Dexter Morgan.
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