Fear Thy Neighbor – Episode: "Commanded to Kill" Release Date: November 4, 2024

Host: ID

Introduction

In the gripping episode titled "Commanded to Kill," Fear Thy Neighbor delves into the harrowing true story of Mark Duckett, a seemingly ordinary neighbor whose descent into paranoia culminates in a tragic and fatal confrontation with the Sienna family in West Mountain, Hamilton, Ontario.

Setting the Scene: West Mountain, Hamilton

The episode begins by painting a vivid picture of West Mountain, a quiet, working-class neighborhood in Hamilton, Ontario, renowned for its picturesque homes and friendly community atmosphere.

Ash Kelly [05:04]: "West Mountain in Hamilton is mostly single family residence homes, you know, big yards, big houses, driveways, two-car garages... It's quite beautiful in terms of middle-class Canada."

Hamilton, known as Steeltown and the waterfall capital of the world, serves as the backdrop for this unsettling tale of neighborly discord escalating into violence.

Introducing the Families: The Siennas and the Ducketts

The story centers around two families: the Siennas and the Ducketts. Following a divorce, Kathy Sienna and her daughter Alex move into a new home on West Mountain, hoping for a fresh start. Their relationship with their neighbors, Annette and Paul Duckett, and their adopted son Mark initially appears cordial.

Alex Sienna [05:35]: "My parents said they were getting a divorce. My mom found a house on the West Mountain, so I moved in with her."

Mark Duckett, a 26-year-old H Vac technician with a turbulent past, becomes a focal point as his interactions with the Sienna family begin to shift from friendly to intrusive.

Early Signs of Paranoia: Boundaries Crossed

Mark’s behavior starts innocuously with frequent requests for cigarettes, leading to unplanned visits that disrupt the Siennas' peace.

Alex Sienna [08:12]: "One time I was home and I heard a knock at the door. I answered the door. I was the only one there at that time."

As Mark's requests become more persistent, Mitchell, Kathy's son, confronts him to set boundaries.

Mitchell: "Okay, Mark, this has got to stop right now. What's going to stop?"

Mark’s reaction hints at deeper issues, foreshadowing the impending tragedy.

Escalation of Paranoia: Hallucinations and Surveillance

With Mitchell moving out and new neighbors Nico and Jen joining the household, Mark's paranoia intensifies. He begins to experience hallucinations, believing that his neighbors are conspiring against him.

Mark Duckett [12:02]: "Can you believe we live next to a loser like Mark?"

Mark installs a camera aimed at the Sienna home, further invading their privacy.

Alex Sienna [19:33]: "I never saw a camera. I did not even know there was a camera there."

Despite his neighbors' attempts to address his behavior, Mark remains convinced of the Siennas' malintent, exacerbating his mental decline.

The Breaking Point: Night of July 29, 2019

The tension reaches its apex on a fateful Tuesday night when Mark's actions become violently aggressive. After a series of unsettling encounters, including banging on windows and flashing a high-powered flashlight, the Sienna family calls the police in a desperate attempt to end the harassment.

Nico Sienna [31:48]: "We have our neighbor acting irrational and he's banging on the windows, flashing a flashlight in the windows."

However, the police response is inadequate. Officers speak to both families and Mark but fail to recognize the imminent threat.

Mark Duckett [33:09]: "If there's a concern of violence, you have to check for a firearm."

This oversight proves catastrophic.

The Tragic Confrontation: Murder of Nico Sienna

A few hours after the police leave, Mark violently breaks into the Sienna home armed with a brick and a handgun. The ensuing chaos results in the horrific murder of 28-year-old Nico Sienna.

Alex Sienna [38:30]: "The air smelled like blood. Smelled like gunpowder and blood and glass."

Despite attempts to de-escalate, Mark's actions leave the family traumatized and Nico fatally wounded.

Aftermath and Legal Proceedings

Mark Duckett is apprehended and initially charged with first-degree murder. However, his defense team successfully argues that he was not criminally responsible due to his paranoid schizophrenia diagnosis.

Alex Sienna [45:46]: "Do I think that he was having a schizophrenic episode the night that he killed my brother? Absolutely not."

This verdict sparks controversy and leaves the Siennas feeling abandoned by both the legal system and Mark's adoptive parents.

Community and Personal Impact

The murder sends shockwaves through the West Mountain community, shattering its once-idyllic reputation. The Sienna family grapples with their loss, seeking justice through a civil lawsuit against the police and the Duckett family.

Alex Sienna [46:59]: "If Annette and Paul maybe took Mark to the doctor or had him committed, I wish they would have done something because my brother would likely still be alive."

Kathy Sienna, determined to honor her son's memory, relocates her family, leaving behind the haunting memories of that tragic night.

Alex Sienna [49:27]: "Living through all of this has changed my life. I'll never be the same."

Conclusion: A Cautionary Tale

"Commanded to Kill" serves as a chilling reminder of how unresolved mental health issues and overlooked warning signs can lead to devastating consequences. The episode underscores the importance of community vigilance, adequate mental health support, and responsible law enforcement responses to prevent such tragedies.

Key Quotes with Timestamps

• Mitchell’s Confrontation with Mark [09:53]:

  Mitchell: "Okay, Mark, this has got to stop right now."

• Mark's Growing Paranoia [12:32]:

  Mark: "We're watching you, Mark. We're gonna get you, can't hide from us."

• Alex's 911 Call After the Shooting [41:24]:

  Alex Sienna: "Please, my brother was shot."

• Alex on Mark’s Responsibility [45:26]:

  Alex Sienna: "I wholeheartedly believe that he retaliated because we called the police."

• Alex Reflecting on Her Loss [49:20]:

  Alex Sienna: "He was like my twin... And then that was taken away from me in an instant."

Final Thoughts

This episode poignantly captures the fragility of neighborly relationships and the dire consequences when trust erodes. Fear Thy Neighbor effectively portrays the intersection of mental health struggles and community safety, leaving listeners with a profound understanding of the events that unfolded on that tragic night in West Mountain.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or visit finder.support for support with mental health, drug, and alcohol issues.