Mark Twitchell, The Dexter Killer Whose Obsession With The TV Show Led Him To Murder. BILL CLARK [interviewing Twitchell]: I'm gonna go get the car ready. He wanted to say that he planned his death deliberately to create a compelling story. Mark was arrested on October 31, 2008, and was charged with first-degree murder on the first day. But there was one clue that would give police their first big break in the case. 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. I said- I told myself I'll do it tomorrow. Twitchell, 31, is on trial for first-degree murder in Altingers death. Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) and later gained a It is what it is and I am what I am., Lillebuen, however, has his doubts. The names and events were altered slightly to protect the guilty. Twitchell even posed as Dexter Morgan on Facebook. But just one week later, another man, Johnny Altinger, would answer a similar dating ad and disappear. The document was retrieved from Marks laptop despite being deleted. No root cause If I 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., Nobody would side with Dexter Morgan if he went around slaughtering schoolteachers and mail carriers on a whim.. ", "SK CONFESSIONS" PASSAGE: "I grabbed him by the leg as if to drag him back into the garage caveman style.". 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. Bill Clark: Detective Murphy goes, you know, and meets him and talks to him. According to investigative reporter, Steve Lillibuen, Twitchell enjoyed communicating through writing. Tetreault's story matched nearly word for word what was in "SK Confessions. Cops say his fascination with the fictional TV killer carried over into his real-life crimes. And I'm like, "Wow, I I have to go forward now. It was actually he was probably going to kill me. There is no key. Julia Cowley: Yes. The plot of House of Cards might have seemed suspicious to police, but it was nothing next to a deleted file they later found on Twitchells computer, titled SK Confessions. Though Twitchell said it was just a screenplay, investigators believed that SK meant serial killer and that the document was actually a detailed account of Twitchells crimes. The detached garage had been rented by Mr. Twitchell and had been used by him recently to shoot a short, low-budget movie about a man who is lured online to a garage, trussed up and tortured for his computer passwords, then hacked to bits. Troy Roberts: And what were you thinking when when you heard this? We could see what looked like pieces of human torso down there. Driven by this desire and his passion for the TV show Dexter, Twitchell started plotting out a Dexter-like murder. 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. Twitchell also faced an attempted murder charge for his alleged attack on Gilles Tetreault, a computer company contractor. contained a short cameo with actor. Ever. 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. BILL CLARK [to Twitchell in police car]: So, in order to finish the movie, we have to find the body, take it back to the people, the family done. WebMark Twitchell had turned his obsession with Star Wars into making a fan film. Easier to find a car than than a person. WebCheck out this great listen on Audible.com. filmmaking. So, police kept searching on their own, looking in sewer after sewer. Det. 2022 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Cops say his fascination with the fictional TV killer carried over into his real-life crimes. 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. Julia Cowley: Mark Twitchell cannot be rehabilitated. Mark Twitchell is a real-life killer inspired by the fictional character Dexter Morgan. ", "SK CONFESSIONS" PASSAGE: "I plunged the knife deep into his neck ", Det. Steve Lillibuen: So, the motive is the mystery, the why did he do this. It has no bearing whatsoever on what actually happened. In 2007, Twitchell directedStar Wars: Secrets Of The Rebellion, a full-length fan film prequel to Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. Twitchell graduated from the Radio and Television Arts program at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology in 2000. Back at the station, Detective Clark and Mark Twitchell came face to face in the interrogation room once again. And you can write it all down. Det. ", Steve Lillibuen [reading letter]: "It's what it is and I'm what I am.". Then, read up on historys most infamous serial killers. Tetreault was thrown back in the garage, but he surprised himself by rolling out again. I still think about the stun gun. But no one knew not Twitchells Facebook friends nor his wife, Jess just how much Twitchell believed that he related. Or was it in fact Mark Twitchell's confession of murder? He rented a garage, found potential victims on dating apps, and set the scene with plastic sheeting, a table, and different kinds of weapons. A jury didnt buy it. Thats when I looked back to see this man hovering [behind] me with a hockey mask. 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. He next tried to dump them into the river but was afraid of being seen. Mark Twitchell, The 'Dexter Killer' Inspired To Murder By For detectives in the Edmonton Police Department, the disappearance of Johnny Altinger was a mystery in more ways than one. / CBS News. We actually demanded that he tell us. Det. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. In 2007, Twitchell directed Star Wars: Secrets Of The Rebellion, a full-length fan film prequel to Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. We don't even know if we have a crime. View our online Press Pack. I have never heard of this thing. Wow, yeah, this is this is the guy. JUSTICE DONE of the Rebellion (2007), a fan film for the Star Wars franchise that Gary Altinger: When I received that email And this e-mail was completely out of character. Author Steve Lillibuen sold the rights to his book "The Devil's Cinema" to a film company. Clark listened while Twitchell told him how he came into possession of a red car a detail he failed to mention when he spoke with police earlier. As authorities began building their case, there was one crucial part of "SK Confessions" they wanted to verify about a victim who had survived. Lillibuen said: "He wrote me probably 30 or 35 different letters - up to about 350 pages like an entire book worth. Thats about people with criminal minds. He worked as a Canadian filmmaker and was convicted of first DET. Gradually though, Marks life went from making the stories through film to Bill Clark: And we first drove to his parents' house where he had been staying. So how did this young Canadian filmmaker end up accused of horrific acts? The newfound evidence including letters reveals how this psycho killer planned the murder(s). 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. Julia Cowley: And while he's technically not a serial killer he was headed in that direction if they hadn't have caught him. Mark directed Star Wars: Secrets of the Rebellion (2007), a full-length fan film prequel which was set a few days before Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. Mark was born in Edmonton, Alberta and always dreamt of making blockbuster films. Gilles Tetreault: At first, I was in shock. Renee: He was a filmmaker and he was working on a new thing called "House of Cards.". So of course the police have tossed my house and impounded my car Not fun considering they won't find anything ". Det. It read "I went through great lengths to bring my wife over to the comfortable belief I wasn't cheating on her.". Patti Aronofsky is the senior producer. MARK TWITCHELL: Yeah. Mark Twitchell, a fringe filmmaker accused in a slaying that matched one of his scripts, spent earlier years feverishly hawking and buying Star Wars toys over the So, investigators called Twitchell again. If you want to delve into more details, watch the CBS 48 Hours Season 34 Episode 38: The Dexter Killer here. 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. Gary Altinger: I just thought right away after I had read this, that's gotta be the weirdest message I've ever received. The garage had plastic sheets covering all the windows, a table with blood spatter, and cleaning supplies laid out. Get this over with? 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. I believe your husband's got somethin' to do with it and this quite possibly you know, could be a homicide." He spent countless hours scouring the Internet, buying and selling Star Joan Adelman and Michelle Harris are the editors. But was the document a screenplay? MURDERER Mark Twitchell has become known as the Dexter killer due to his obsession with the TV show. At that instant, I knew there was no date.. "SK Confessions," which police had been dissecting word by word, spoke volumes. 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. The next year, Twitchell married an American woman and moved to Illinois. "SK CONFESSIONS" PASSAGE: "Please stop hitting me oh my skull.". Are we parked right on top of the sewer where you dumped the body? Mark Andrew Twitchell was born in Edmonton, Alberta, on July 4, 1979. On the day he disappeared, Johnny Altinger had forwarded the directions of where he was going to friends. It's like I remember getting the phone call at the police station just thinking "holy crap.". Steve Lillibuen: Twitchell's been dubbed "The Dexter Killer" because of the numerous links between the television series and the real-life crimes. Det. Altingers remains were put into garbage bags and dumped in a storm sewer. Twitchell wrote numerous letters to the journalist, with Lillibuen telling CBS Newsthat he found themurderer of Johnny Altingerto be very responsive to letter writing. What's going on? But police had found a helpful clue during the search of Twitchell's home. Renee was intrigued. Twitchell was impounded by the police when they found Altingers blood in his cars trunk. Chris Heward: "How much of the blood splatter on the wall was from your filming?" Bill Clark: He looked pretty comfortable in the interview. He was then stabbed to death. But he maintained a core Another man had been lured to the same garage and met a gruesome end. 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 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. Dexter Killer Mark Twitchell was an aspiring filmmaker whose scripts bore a striking resemblance to his crimes. living in the Midwest before returning to Canada to pursue a career in Why didn't I tell somebody where I am?". The police, not believing this story, impounded Twitchell's laptop and car, and found Altinger's blood in the car's trunk. That he purchased a car for $40? Over the course of almost three years, they exchanged dozens of letters. Altinger, thinking he was meeting a woman, was lured to Twitchells kill room in his garage-turned-film-studio. The hockey mask wearing man had ordered him to the ground at gunpoint. Altinger, thinking he was meeting a woman, was lured to Twitchells kill room in his garage-turned-film-studio. Steve Lillibuen: I learned really quickly that he preferred to talk through writing. And to Lillibuen's surprise, even behind bars Twitchell was able to feed his obsessions. Mr. Twitchell went to school in Edmonton and did postgraduate studies in radio and television in the Alberta capital. Desperate for some answers, Johnny's friends broke into his apartment. BILL CLARK [to Twitchell in police car]: Look familiar Mark? He graduated from the Radio and Television Arts program at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology in 2000. A week later, the masked man would find his next target, Johnny Altinger, who wouldn't be as lucky as the first victim. The media even fought an application to lift bans on covering his trial. Both Lillebuen and police say that Twitchell's fascination with the TV killer Dexter Morgan carried over into his real-life crimes. Troy Roberts: What are you thinking when you hear that? Cops arrested Twitchell on October 31, 2008, and charged him with first degree murder. Who is Mark Twitchell? We we don't have a body. Gary Altinger: Not a message, nothing. Secrets of the Rebellion, a feature-length fan film prequel to Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. 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. His reaction was pure Hollywood.". He didn't have to. 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. Mark Twitchell, a fringe filmmaker accused in a slaying that matched one of his scripts, spent earlier years feverishly hawking and buying In 2013, he purchased a television for his prison cell and stated that he had caught up on every Dexter episode that he missed since his arrest. "He had this kind of processing kit that was very similar to what Dexter uses.". Something goin' on here.". Bill Clark: It just doesn't make sense. April 12, 2022 7:40am. Troy Roberts: These weren't ramblings of a crazy man. Talking to CBS, the author called Twitchells insistence that Dexter had nothing to do with his crimes ridiculous and a logical disconnect.. You wanna tell us where the body is now? MARK TWITCHELL [interrogation]: I'm working on a comedy right now. 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. Gilles Tetreault: I stuck the key in the ignition and then I just sped away. Gilles Tetreault: I really thought it was a mugging at the time. Twitchell had attempted to lure another victim to his kill room earlier that month. At the time, Renee was upset with her ex-husband's new wife. Mr. Altinger's body has not been found, but police say they have enough evidence to lay a charge and believe he was killed in a manner similar to the script. Gilles Tetreault: Right. I start hearing different things like a jingling noise and stuff like that my head is just racing, like it's like thinking, "What's goin' on? Gilles Tetreault: I can't do this, I gotta fight back so I got up and I ripped the tape off my eyes. Nancy Kramer is the executive story editor. Police believe that Johnny Altinger was hit over the head with this pipe shortly upon entering the darkened garage. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. Weeks, then months, passed and still no luck. Born on July 4, 1979, Mark Andrew Twitchell grew up in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Though hes become known as the Dexter Killer, Twitchell himself denies that his crimes have anything to do with the fictional character. And we have nothing. I knew he couldn't hurt me anymore. Bill Clark: They learned, of course, the garage is rented out to an individual named Mark Twitchell. 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. And tomorrow came and I wasI felt so ashamed that I got duped. Bill Clark: We got an undercover operator to work the internet and pretend he was gonna an investor. When Tetreault got home, he discovered the profile on the dating site had been deleted. He worked as a Canadian filmmaker and was convicted of first-degree murder in April 2011. And if anything happens to me, you'll know where to look.". Bill Clark: Ultimately Mark Twitchell drove around with it, according to the "SK Confessions" document. No root cause there is no school bully or impressionably gory movies or Showtime television series to point the finger at. Bill Clark: You know, one of the first things we did was check the police records figuring hopefully someone called the police on this. They divorced within 4 years. The recently aired CBS episode delves into this aspiring serial killers psyche. What's Mark Twitchell's psyche? From having a kill room to using plastic sheeting Twitchell, a self-proclaimed Dexter fan, killed like the character did. Twitchell began writing to Lillibuen before he was even convicted in 2011. In October 2008, Mark Twitchell put his dark side into action. 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. Part of the report included a return trip by Tetreault to the garage in which the incident had taken place. It's really freaky too And as soon as they called me on the phone I got this weird chill. A lot of people saw him as a loner. Bill Clark and "48 Hours" contributor Troy Roberts watch Twitchell's reaction as Clark told him "I now know that you killed John Altinger. This is the story of Mark Twitchell, Canadas Dexter Killer.. Large amounts of blood had been spilled on the floor of the garage. Goin', "Yeah, this isn't right. But I said I couldn't do it. Renee: I thought it was gonna be like a working relationship, a working friendship. I said, "None of the blood splatter was from us.". And hypothetically, how would you get away with it? 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. 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. Throughout their correspondence, Lillibuen continued to grapple with what drove Twitchell and then Twitchell told him: Steve Lillibuen [reading letter]: "There is no key. Bill Clark [in car in front of Twitchell's house]: What I said was, "We're investigating a missing persons. Mark Andrew Twitchell was born in Edmonton, Alberta, on July 4, 1979. Police say Twitchell was fascinated by the fictional character in the hit Showtime series "Dexter." The strange story about the red car, the serial killer movie being filmed for Clark it could only mean one thing. He was also lured in the same manner as Altinger. OFFICER [to Twitchell outside garage]: Bring back any memories? Then, the Dexter Killer lured his victims in. Once again, the victim believed he had met a woman on PlentyOfFish and followed her online instructions to Twitchells garage. of the Rebellion (2007), a fan film for the Star Wars franchise that Gilles Tetreault: I wasn't really afraid of him at that time. Voluntarily, the amateur filmmaker came down to the Edmonton Police Station to speak with detectives. Writing gives me a sense of freedom and independence. Adding to their circumstantial case: Twitchell possessing Altinger's car, the "SK Confessions" document and his "Dexter" obsession. Steve Lillebuen authored the book The Devils Cinema which focussed on the complete case. And they found dirty dishes. Gary Altinger: Where is he? Under director, it has Mark Twitchell. Renee [reading email]: "There's an enormous missing person, possible homicide investigation going on centralized around a location I've rented for film work. ", Renee: He said over the weekend he did something, and he liked it. BILL CLARK [to Twitchell in police car]: So here we are back at the killing garage. 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. What led to this happening? 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. Troy Roberts [watching interrogation video]: You didn't get much of a reaction, did you? 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. Fortunately, it took police far less time to catch up with Mark Twitchell than it took their fictional counterparts to catch up to Dexter Morgan. He added, It sometimes scares me how much I relate.. Det. He had no history of violence and was hardly a suspect. Tonights Dateline entitled, Deadly House Of Cards, is a repeat show that was aired in 2014. Mark 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. Twitchell's handwritten directions on a Google map led police to a manhole where Twitchell had dumped Johnny's remains. Experts say it's a long shot, but it worries Tetreault. Tetreault, who has written a book about his ordeal, spoke to "48 Hours" recently. DET. Horse riding is another passion that keeps me going.