Police believed "SK" was shorthand for "serial killer. 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. DETECTIVE [interrogation]: I mean it's kinda odd that you're filming that kind of thing. MARK TWITCHELL [interrogation]: This guy, uh, taps on my window you know, "Hey buddy do you wanna buy a car? Renee: He said, "You cut her up in little pieces. Why didn't I tell somebody where I am?". His interest in the show was raised numerous times during his trial. Troy Roberts: And when did you grow concerned. 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. Sheena had refused to tell Tetreault her exact address, giving him only driving instructions. No root cause there is no school bully or impressionably gory movies or Showtime television series to point the finger at. We could see what looked like pieces of human torso down there. 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. She was basically livin' on the main floor, he was livin' in the basement. Lillibuen said: "He wrote me probably 30 or 35 different letters - up to about 350 pages like an entire book worth. The message that Gilles Tetreault received from Sheena, who was really Mark Twitchell. I didn't really go into anything more, but I think that was enough. Troy Roberts: These weren't ramblings of a crazy man. And hypothetically, how would you get away with it? 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. In April 2011, Twitchell was found guilty of first-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years. View agent, publicist, legal and company contact details on IMDbPro. DET. But where was Johnny Altinger's body? Experts say it's a long shot, but it worries Tetreault. WebHe was found guilty during a jury trial in 2011 and sentenced to life in prison. According to investigative reporter, Steve Lillibuen, Twitchell enjoyed communicating through writing. He was then stabbed to death. The names and events were altered slightly to protect the guilty. It is what it is and I am what I am.". 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. Troy Roberts: What are you thinking when you hear that? Det. View our online Press Pack. 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. small following among sci-fi fans when he directed Star Wars: Secrets Bill Clark: When you you read all the experts' books about these type of individuals is they tend to like the media attention. 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. He had a table set up for his victims. There was actually some substance in these letters? Feb 11, 2012. Mark Twitchell, The 'Dexter Killer' Inspired To Murder By Gilles Tetreault [driving]: I was actually late, so I was driving quite fast to get there. You know, we had a lot in common. Bill Clark: And we first drove to his parents' house where he had been staying. We don't even know if we have a crime. Bill Clark: You know, one of the first things we did was check the police records figuring hopefully someone called the police on this. Large amounts of blood had been spilled on the floor of the garage. Investigators say Twitchell was obsessed with the fictional serial killer at the center of the TV series "Dexter.". That's because police were still looking for Johnny Altinger's red Mazda. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Twitchell stabbed and bludgeoned his victim before cutting him up and partially burning the body. WebExtra: Jimmy Siokos on Mark Twitchell. What's going on? For the first time on television, Lillibuen is revealing the contents of Twitchell's letters. They were now convinced it was no screenplay, but rather a diary of murder. Soon after the divorce, Mark Twitchell returned to Edmonton to spearhead a low-budget $60,000 DET. Bill Clark: Well, John's friends were concerned. Mark Twitchell is serving a life sentence for killing Johnny Altinger in 2008. Mark Twitchell was nicknamed the Dexter Killer for his methods of emulating the Showtime dramas lead Dexter Morgan, a fictional character played by Michael C. Hall. I mean look at this profile.". Steve Lillibuen [reading letter]: He writes, "I killed Johnny Altinger in a horrific accident of self-defense. Twitchell's handwritten directions on a Google map led police to a manhole where Twitchell had dumped Johnny's remains. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Twitchell graduated from the Radio and Television Arts program at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology in 2000. The hockey mask wearing man had ordered him to the ground at gunpoint. Twichells first-degree murder trial contained a key piece of evidence entitled SK Confessions, which meant Serial Killer Confessions. He graduated from a radio and television program at the The once talkative movie director barely uttered a line. But Twitchell had underestimated the police. He is lucid. He wouldn't. Thats when I looked back to see this man hovering [behind] me with a hockey mask. So, I'm like, "Oh no, what am I gonna do now. DET. Stars Wars stuff all over the unit, but hey, whatever people collect, they collect.". contained a short cameo with actor. He spent countless hours scouring the Internet, buying and selling Star Twitcher was inspired to shift from filmmaking to murdering people because of the fictional character Dexter Morgan. Twitchell stated that he had caught up on everyDexterepisode that he missed since he was arrested and convicted. Lourdes Aguiar and Anthony Venditti are also producers. 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". For detectives in the Edmonton Police Department, the disappearance of Johnny Altinger was a mystery in more ways than one. Det. Little did they know the case was about to take an unusual turn. 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. BILL CLARK [to Twitchell in police car]: Look familiar Mark? Steve Lillibuen: I asked him a lotta softball questions just about who he was, his family, his upbringing -- all that kinda background detail. Twitchell wrote numerous letters to the journalist, with Lillibuen telling CBS Newsthat he found themurderer of Johnny Altingerto be very responsive to letter writing. And I'm going away with her to Costa Rica and I'll call you at Christmastime.". 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. Star_Wars_(film) dbr:Parole; 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.". What's he gonna do? It's like I remember getting the phone call at the police station just thinking "holy crap.". The newfound evidence including letters reveals how this psycho killer planned the murder(s). John was very, very, very responsible. "SK Confessions," which police had been dissecting word by word, spoke volumes. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Who is Mark Twitchell? 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. In letters, Twitchell clung to his defense that he had no choice but to kill Johnny Altinger and then dismember him. WebCheck out this great listen on Audible.com. I think he is different than Dexter. Are we parked right on top of the sewer where you dumped the body? And if anything happens to me, you'll know where to look.". According to investigative reporter, Steve Lillibuen, Twitchell enjoyed communicating through writing. Gilles Tetreault: That's when I was ready to fight I punched him and I felt really weak. And it was a little taste of his own medicine, I guess. They can never fail to surprise us. 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. What's Mark Twitchell's psyche? In a twist, a man came forward after the arrest to say he was lured to the garage a week before Mr. Altinger disappeared. 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. Both Lillebuen and police say that Twitchell's fascination with the TV killer Dexter Morgan carried over into his real-life crimes. Renee was intrigued. MICHAEL C. HALL (audio): it is horrifying to entertain the notion that something you did inspired that. On October 31, 2008, Mark Twitchell was charged with the first degree murder. Det. Altingers remains were put into garbage bags and dumped in a storm sewer. They were interested in speaking with anyone who had worked on "House of Cards," where actor Chris Heward's character meets an untimely, bloody end in the film. of the Rebellion (2007), a fan film for the Star Wars franchise that Movie's over. Mark was born in Edmonton, Alberta and always dreamt of making blockbuster films. For other inquiries, Contact Us. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. That doesnt change the fact that his crimes, and Dexters fictional ones, have obvious parallels. Tonights Dateline entitled, Deadly House Of Cards, is a repeat show that was aired in 2014. In the end, the jury took just five hours to find Mark Twitchell guilty. That's changed slightly I now know that you killed John Altinger. At his garage, they found an eerily Dexter-like scene that included plastic sheets on the window, a blood-splattered table, and cleaning supplies. Luminol tests later revealed excessive amounts of human blood that wasn't visible to the naked eye. He had a table set up for his victims. GILLES TETREAULT [police interview]: I was off balance, I couldn't run I fell down on the gravel driveway and, uh, basically crawling. Two weeks after the disappearance of Johnny Altinger at a garage film set, police had sharpened their focus on filmmaker Mark Twitchell. Renee: And I wanted her dead, at the time. Tetreault's story matched nearly word for word what was in "SK Confessions. Gilles Tetreault: It was dark then I kind of looked around for the door she told me to go through and that's when somebody came out attacked me from behind. On October 31, 2008, Mark Twitchell was charged with the first degree murder. Lillebuen said: "He had a kill room set up with plastic sheeting. Gilles Tetreault: And he tore a piece of tape and he covered my eyes with it. "I crossed the line and I did something and I liked it". 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. Joss Hnatiuk met Mark Twitchell on a Star Wars fan message board. Det. ", "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. Clark had no hard evidence against Mark Twitchell. 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. At that instant, I knew there was no date.. The 29-year-old Canadian man had a wife and a young daughter, and aspirations of becoming a filmmaker. EDMONTON CROWN PROSECUTION OFFICEA pool of blood that police found in Mark Twitchells garage. Gilles Tetreault: I really thought it was a mugging at the time. Det. 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. According to the Edmonton Journal, he made a fan film called Star Wars: Secrets of the Rebellion that generated buzz online. So anytime I'd seen one I'd always have my flashlight with me and would get out and actually take a look. Johnny Altinger's friends were also able to hand over the directions Johnny had forwarded them before his date. I believe your husband's got somethin' to do with it and this quite possibly you know, could be a homicide." The strange story about the red car, the serial killer movie being filmed for Clark it could only mean one thing. So, I thought, "Oh, well, you know, I'll be friends with him.". Gilles Tetreault: I'm scared that he might want to finish what he started and come after me. ", Renee: He said over the weekend he did something, and he liked it. You've got to do something.". Tetreault, who was 33 at the time, was excited to meet the woman who called herself "Sheena.". 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. Gilles Tetreault: At first, I was in shock. 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.. 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. Marks fetish for Dexter did not rest in peace even after his conviction. Investigators finally had hard evidence they had found Altinger's blood in Twitchell's trunk. The show follows the adventures of Dexter Morgan, a blood-spatter expert by day and psychotic knife-wielding vigilante butcher by night. The Dexter killer, whose real name is Mark Andrew Twitchell is a Canadian filmmaker who is convicted of the first-degree murder of John Brian Altinger. Renee: I'm a huge fan of the Showtime show "Dexter." 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. Court documents filed in Peoria noted that Mark married Megan Twitchell, a U.S. citizen, in Edmonton on Jan. 4, 2001, and they eventually moved to the Illinois city, where they worked at American Electronics Appliance. Steve Lillibuen: Twitchell's been dubbed "The Dexter Killer" because of the numerous links between the television series and the real-life crimes. Mark was arrested on October 31, 2008, and was charged with first-degree murder on the first day. Part of the report included a return trip by Tetreault to the garage in which the incident had taken place. So obviously that's what we're gonna look for first. 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. Twitchell even posed as Dexter Morgan on Facebook. And his friend even questioned him on the email. 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. Det. Suffice it to say that I crossed the line on Friday, he wrote. Mark Andrew Twitchell was born in Edmonton, Alberta, on July 4, 1979. He's very charismatic. Goin', "Yeah, this isn't right. June 10th actually. During questioning, filmmaker Mark Twitchell appeared to be eager to help investigators. And in a strange twist, Twitchell's been able to feed that obsession too. His trial attracted particular media attention because Twitchell had allegedly been inspired by the fictional character Dexter Morgan. Something goin' on here.". Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) and later gained a However, he abandoned his right to appeal in 2012. Steve Lillibuen: Mark Twitchell wrote to me quite extensively about his interest in "Dexter.". Police began digging deeper into his background. Gilles Tetreault: She said "I'll just leave the garage door open for you. The garage had plastic sheets covering all the windows, a table with blood spatter, and cleaning supplies laid out.
