MURDEROUS MINDS: The Dexter Killer Pt. 2

Summary

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Killer Minds: MURDEROUS MINDS – The Dexter Killer Pt. 2

Podcast: Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Hosts: Vanessa Richardson & Dr. Tristan Engels
Date: September 18, 2025

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Episode Overview

This concluding episode of a two-part series dives deep into the chilling case of Mark Twitchell, the so-called "Dexter Killer." Hosts Vanessa Richardson and forensic psychologist Dr. Tristan Engels reconstruct Twitchell’s descent from aspiring filmmaker to murderer obsessed with living out a serial killer’s fantasy. The episode expertly blends storytelling with psychological analysis, unpacking Twitchell’s motives, the escalation of his crimes, and the cognitive traits that set him apart from other killers. It also examines the aftermath of his crimes, the investigation that led to his arrest, and the psychological themes linking Twitchell to infamous murderers in history.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Twitchell’s Descent Into Murder

• Obsession with Fantasy:

  • Mark Twitchell, initially a filmmaker, grew increasingly dissatisfied with fiction, ultimately striving to commit a real-life murder mirroring the plots of his own films and the TV series "Dexter."
  • His rented garage in Edmonton, first used as a movie set, became the scene for his crimes ([04:22]).

• Escalation of Behavior:

  • Dr. Engels: “His fantasy world offered that safe space...the boundaries between fantasy and reality began to blur...The repeated desensitization in his fantasy world, combined with his blurred lines between real and fiction…pushed him to move beyond creating a film to actually living out his violent fantasies.” ([04:59])

• Failed First Attempt:

  • Twitchell’s initial attack on Gilles Tetro using a stun gun failed, but Gilles did not go to the police ([06:29]).

• Murder of John Altinger:

  • Twitchell lured Altinger to his garage with a dating site ruse, ultimately killing and dismembering him ([06:29]–[09:22]).

Psychological Analysis of Twitchell’s Motives

• Dismemberment and Ritualization:

  • Dr. Engels: “Dismembering his first kill is very atypical...It's about control and ritualization...characteristic of someone who is completely detached, lacks empathy or remorse, is completely desensitized to violence.” ([09:22])

• Compulsive Documentation:

  • Twitchell journaled his crime in a digital diary entitled “SK Confessions,” which would later become critical evidence ([10:55]).
  • MEMORABLE QUOTE:
    • "'The cool thing about a seven month old is that you can openly tell them anything and they can’t rat you out.'" — Mark Twitchell, via Vanessa Richardson ([12:51])
  • Dr. Engels: “He’s not confessing out of remorse. It’s more about the need to boast...assert power and dominance...He wants to be remembered, immortalized for what he’s done." ([12:51])

• Relationship to Fiction and Lying:

  • Dr. Engels: “For Mark, both storytelling and lying serve the same purpose. They allow him to manipulate reality… He's not just crafting narratives for entertainment. He’s using them as a tool for control, power, and self-preservation.” ([23:25])

The Cover-Up and Investigation

• Impersonating the Victim:

  • After the murder, Twitchell impersonated Altinger via email and social media, attempting to convince friends he had gone to Costa Rica ([15:32]–[18:18]).
  • Dr. Engels: “His comfort with creating these alternate realities shows how reliant he is on manipulation and illusion. It’s a way for Mark to remain in control of both the victim's fate and the narrative surrounding it.” ([19:09])

• Friends Raise the Alarm:

  • John’s friend, Dale Smith, became suspicious and eventually convinced police to investigate after finding John’s passport, suitcase, and computer missing, but no other signs of a planned trip ([18:18]–[20:48]).

• Police Breakthrough:

  • Slip-ups: Twitchell left a hardware store receipt matching his credit card, triggering police suspicion ([23:58]).
  • Tried to smooth-talk and charm police during initial questioning, leaning heavily on his filmmaker persona ([26:43]).
  • Dr. Engels: “This is characteristic of superficial charm and glibness, as well as narcissism...He might feel this will not only help him avoid suspicion, but help him feel more superior in the interrogation room.” ([26:43])

• The Fake Investor Sting:

  • Police lured Twitchell out of his parents' house under the ruse of a business meeting, arresting him on Halloween ([33:04]).
  • Dr. Engels: “After years of pretending to be someone else online...that very same method was used to bring him to justice.” ([34:17])

The Trial and Aftermath

• Twitchell’s Defense and the Role of SK Confessions:

  • At trial, Twitchell claimed it was all an elaborate prank for a film project, but the evidence—including his confessions—contradicted this ([42:01]–[44:49]).
  • Dr. Engels: “If that’s the case, then why dismember him and not report it and then refuse to tell officers where the remains were for years?” ([44:49])

• Conviction:

  • Twitchell was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life imprisonment, parole possible in 25 years ([44:59]).

• Post-Arrest Obsessions:

  • From prison, Twitchell continues to pursue creative projects, hoping to release old footage.
  • Dr. Engels: “People like Mark often crave recognition and admiration... For Mark, ...movies might be one of the few ways he can still control how people will remember him.” ([46:09])

Broader Psychological Context

• Narcissism and Parallels to Other Killers:

  • Twitchell’s narcissistic and psychopathic traits echo figures like Ted Bundy, using infamy and public intrigue to feed their egos ([47:13]).
  • Dr. Engels: “Their desire to be remembered, even if it’s for the wrong reasons, speaks to a deep rooted need for immortality and control.” ([47:18])

• Fantasy vs. Reality:

  • “Mark always had trouble separating fiction from reality, and even now those lines remain blurred for him.” — Vanessa Richardson ([48:08])

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It sadly was a matter of time for Mark to escalate to the point of actualization. It's a very typical pattern that occurs with fantasy driven killers.”

  • Dr. Tristan Engels ([04:59])

• “Dismembering his first kill is very atypical…This murder wasn't just about violence. It was about control and ritualization. Typically, this is characteristic of someone who is completely detached, lacks empathy or remorse...calloused.”

  • Dr. Tristan Engels ([09:22])

• “He’s not confessing because he’s struggling with a guilty conscience. It’s...the need to boast. This is like another way for him to assert power and dominance.”

  • Dr. Tristan Engels ([12:51])

• On confessing to his infant daughter:

  • “By choosing to confess to his daughter, Mark may see it as a way of finally letting his family know his true self, albeit in the safest way possible.”
    • Dr. Tristan Engels ([14:29])

• “His comfort with creating these alternate realities shows how reliant he is on manipulation and illusion...It's a way for Mark to remain in control...”

  • Dr. Tristan Engels ([19:09])

• “For Mark, both storytelling and lying serve the same purpose…They allow him to manipulate reality in a way that benefits him.”

  • Dr. Tristan Engels ([23:25])

• On being caught through police deception:

  • “After years of pretending to be someone else online...that very same method was used to bring him to justice.”
    • Dr. Tristan Engels ([34:17])

• Twitchell’s egotism:

  • “It wasn't because he was naive, but because he was living in a fantasy world where he was inherently superior. His sense of self-importance allowed him to completely avoid confronting anything that could shatter that fantasy.”
    • Dr. Tristan Engels ([34:57])

• On similarities to Bundy & other infamous killers:

  • “Their desire to be remembered, even if it’s for the wrong reasons, speaks to a deep rooted need for immortality and control.”
    • Dr. Tristan Engels ([47:18])

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Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• The Crime Scene and First Murder: [04:22] – [09:22]
• Dismemberment and the Psychology of Ritual: [09:22] – [10:55]
• SK Confessions and Boasting: [10:55] – [14:29]
• Impersonating the Victim/Online Deception: [15:32] – [19:50]
• Police Investigation and Arrest: [23:58] – [34:17]
• Trial, Aftermath, and Legacy: [36:21] – [48:08]
• Psychological Context & Comparison to Bundy: [47:13] – [48:08]

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Conclusion

The episode closes with reflections on Twitchell’s inability to distinguish fiction from reality, his continuing search for validation, and the consequences of his actions. Through psychological insight and a gripping narrative, "Killer Minds" paints a portrait of a man driven by ego, fantasy, and a chilling lack of empathy—a would-be serial killer who wanted to be both the director and star of his own deadly movie, but ended up in prison instead of Hollywood.

Transcript

[Vanessa Richardson]

Hey, everyone, it's Vanessa. If you're enjoying Killer Minds, you'll love a new Crime House show. I'm part of Crime House Daily. Twice every weekday, host Katie Ring brings you the biggest crime stories as they unfold. In the morning, get the latest updates. At night, dive into the moments that matter. And on Sundays, I'm looking back with true crime this week, exploring unforgettable cases from the coming week in history, all with a common theme. A Follow Crime House Daily wherever you listen or catch us on YouTube so you never miss an episode. This is Crime House. Entertainment can be transportive. Whether it's a play, a book, or something else. Artistic expression has the ability to make us laugh, cry, gasp or scream. But the thing is, most of these stories are just that, stories. That's something Mark Twitchell could not understand. Mark was so inspired by a violent TV series about a killer that he felt compelled to enact its plot in real life. He wanted to imitate a character he thought was a hero. But instead, Mark became a monster. The human mind is powerful. It shapes how we think, feel, love and hate. But sometimes it drives people to commit the unthinkable. This is Killer. A Crime House original. I'm Vanessa Richardson.

[Dr. Tristan Engels]

And I'm Dr. Tristan Engels. Every Monday and Thursday, we we uncover the darkest minds in history. Analyzing what makes a killer Crime House.

[Vanessa Richardson]

Is made possible by you. Please rate, review and follow Killer Minds to enhance your listening experience with ad free early access to each two part series and bonus content. Subscribe to Crime House plus on Apple Podcasts. A warning. This episode contains descriptions of violence and the dissection of human bodies. But listener discretion is advised. Today we conclude our deep dive on Mark Twitchell, an aspiring Canadian movie director with dreams of becoming a household name. While his early projects garnered some interest, a lack of funding quickly got in the way. But when Mark came up with a new idea for a slasher movie, he knew this would be the big break he needed. But he wanted it to be based on a true story. And in order to do that, he felt he had to commit murder himself.

[Dr. Tristan Engels]

As Vanessa goes through the story, I'll be talking about things like why some killers feel the need to document their crimes. A difference between an active imagination and a pathological liar. And what prompts killers to finally confess?

[Vanessa Richardson]

And as always, we'll be asking the question, what makes a killer? Buying a car in Carvana was so.

[Dr. Tristan Engels]

Easy, I was able to finance it through them.

[Vanessa Richardson]

I just. Whoa, wait, you mean finance?

[Dr. Tristan Engels]

Yeah, finance got pre qualified. Qualified for a carvana Auto loan entered my terms and shot from thousands of great car options, all within my budget. That's cool. But financing through Carvana was so easy.

[Vanessa Richardson]

Financed, done. And I get to pick up my.

[Dr. Tristan Engels]

Car from their Carvana vending machine tomorrow. Financed, right?

[Vanessa Richardson]

That's what they said.

[Dr. Tristan Engels]

You can spend time trying to pronounce financing, or you can actually finance and buy your car Today on Carvana financing, subject to credit approval, additional terms and conditions may apply. I've never felt like this before. It's like you just get me. I feel like my true self with you. Does that seem sound crazy? And it doesn't hurt that you're gorgeous?

[Vanessa Richardson]

Okay, that's it. I'm taking you home with me.

[Dr. Tristan Engels]

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[Vanessa Richardson]

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[Dr. Tristan Engels]

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[Vanessa Richardson]

On October 10, 2008, 29 year old Mark Twitchell sat alone in the garage he'd rented on the outskirts of Edmonds, Edmonton, Canada. Originally, he'd used this space to film his short slasher movie, House of Cards. But once the movie wrapped, his intention for the space had changed. As Mark watched the cast of his movie act out a murder multiple times, he was bothered by how fake it all was. And that led him to realize he wanted to experience the real thing. Essentially, he wanted to actually commit the murder from his own movie.

[Dr. Tristan Engels]

It sadly was a matter of time for Mark to escalate to the point of actualization. It's a very typical pattern that occurs with fantasy driven killers. His fantasy world offered that safe space where he can express anger, frustration and feel in control. Except this became his only method of coping with his emotions. And over time, he began to experience emotional satisfaction or release from these fantasies. And the boundaries between fantasy and reality began to blur. The more he immersed himself in these violent fantasies, the emotions emotional high or sense of dominance and control grew stronger. And every time he got a thrill from that, he was reinforced to continue the behavior. When desensitization or habituation begins to occur, especially when they are chasing control and gratification, escalation inevitably follows. And we saw that gradually happening with Mark, but in ways that seemed more discreet or innocuous than most. First with his skits as a child, next with the online psychological manipulation of others, and then recreating his fantasies in film. And then of course, now he's actualizing his fantasy personally, because covertly or indirectly, engaging in the fantasy was no longer Enough. The repeated desensitization in his fantasy world, combined with his blurred lines between real and fiction, as well as his need for domination and release, pushed him to move beyond creating a film to actually living out his violent fantasies in the real world.

[Vanessa Richardson]

Mark's first attempt had been a failure. After convincing 33 year old Gilles Tetro to meet him at the garage two days prior, Marc attacked him with a stun gun. But Gilles had fought back and eventually escaped. Gilles hadn't gone to the police yet, which left Mark free to try again. Which is why he was at the garage that night. And this time, Mark had made some changes. He ditched the stun gun for something simpler, a large metal pipe. He also had a new unsuspecting victim. Mark had met 38 year old John Brian Altinger the same way he'd met Gilles on the dating site plentyoffish.com. mark pretended to be a woman named Jen and invited John to the garage that evening, October 10th. Mark had spent the hours leading up to this moment getting everything ready for his kill. He put up pieces of plastic sheeting, then set the metal pipes he'd bought against a table so it was ready to grab at a moment's notice. He'd even wrapped the entire thing with hockey tape to give it a better grip. Even though Mark thought he'd prepped for everything, he was totally thrown when he saw a pair of headlights shine through the windows of the garage. It was John, and he was 30 minutes early. Mark's stomach flipped and his flustered confusion could be why he suddenly decided to change tactics. When John walked through the open side door of the garage, Mark didn't attack. Instead, he said hello and that he was a friend of Jen's. When John looked around the garage at the nefarious plastic sheeting, Mark tried to explain he was dressing up the room for a film set. Then he told John that Jen was out, but she'd be back in about a half hour. And dejected, John decided to leave. Once he was gone, Mark opened his laptop and pulled up plentyoffish.com. he waited until it was closer to 7pm, the agreed upon meeting time. Then he wrote to John as Jen, saying sorry for the mix up, but she was now home and John could come back if he wanted. John was confused by the whole situation. On his drive home, he even called a good friend of his, a man named Dale Smith. He telling him about the garage and the strange encounter he just had. But after John got home and read Jen's message, he decided to give the Date another chance. Before leaving, he sent another note to his friend Dale telling him he was going for it. Then John got back in his car and drove to the garage. This time, when he walked in, Mark was ready to attack. We don't know exactly what happened after this, but we do know that Mark managed to kill John, then proceeded to dismember the remains and store them in several large bags.

[Dr. Tristan Engels]

So obviously this is a very significant escalation. Dismembering his first kill is very atypical. We don't generally see this with first time killings. Of course there are exceptions like Daniel Wozniak, whom we also covered. But usually this is something you see with more experienced or seasoned serial killers. And this significant in understanding Mark's mental state and overall emotional health. First, it's worth noting that Mark was likely influenced by Dexter's ritualistic behavior and he was following a script that he himself wrote. But even if the script called for dismemberment, Mark was still capable of carrying that out without any obvious hesitation. Which brings me into his mental state. Dismembering is done for a few common reasons. It's done to conceal the identity of the individual, destroying evidence, making disposal easier. And psychologically, it's a form of control and domination. This murder wasn't just about violence. It was about control and ritualization. Typically, this is characteristic of someone who is completely detached, lacks empathy or remorse, is completely desensitized to violence, calloused and just, overall has traits of psychopathy or tendencies. Mark has moved into a state of psychological disintegration where he sees violence not as something morally wrong, but as an acceptable, even perhaps necessary means of fulfilling his emotional and psychological needs.

[Vanessa Richardson]

Well, then Mark burned John's clothes, glasses and some of his remains in a large oil drum. But the fire generated a surprising amount of smoke and Mark got worried it would attract attention. So he took the additional garbage bags containing John's remains and put them in a storm drain. Getting rid of the car was the next step, but Mark decided to do that later. First he wanted to go home and wash the blood off his hands and clothes. It was well after 10pm when Mark got to his house that night. His wife Jess was asleep, having put their infant daughter to bed hours prior. At this point in the couple's marriage, the pair were not on good terms. So Jess slept in a different room, which meant that Mark could sneak in without disturbing her. He crept through the home covered in blood, tiptoeing around the baby toys strewn across the floor. As he Headed towards the shower. After he washed up, he tossed his shirt, hoodie pants, and even his shoes into the washing machine. Then he went to sleep. Mark's brutal crime didn't seem to affect his ability to live his life as normal. The weekend following the murder, he and Jess went out for dinner, Attended a comedy show, and celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving with Mark's parents. No one who knew him had any idea that he'd just killed someone. That didn't mean Mark was keeping his crime to himself, though. In his digital journal, titled SK Confessions, Mark documented the details of this first murder, including cutting up the body, dumping it in a storm drain, and burning up whatever evidence was left. He even alluded to confessing his crimes to his infant daughter, Writing that quote. The cool thing about a seven month old is that you can openly tell them anything and they can't rat you out.

[Dr. Tristan Engels]

So Mark's behavior here really isn't surprising when we consider his pattern of behavior. He's continued to express violent fantasies in ways that come with no real consequence. And what stands out about this is how compulsive his need is to express these desires. His need to release emotions and gain validation is his way of justifying his actions while denying himself the consequences of what he's doing. However, I don't believe Mark is confessing because he's struggling with a guilty conscience. It's not about remorse. It's more about what appears to me the need to boast. This is like another way for him to assert power and dominance. He's reinforcing his identity as someone capable of such heinous acts. And he's telling himself and others not only that he can do it, but that he's someone who holds control over life and death. And for Mark, this isn't just a personal transformation. It's a claim to recognition, notoriety, and infamy. That's why he wrote his manifesto about his progression into becoming a serial killer. It wasn't just a confession. It was a way for him to document and own his violent journey, Framing them in the way that he wants and seeking attention and validation. For Mark, it's about wanting to be known, remembered, and immortalized for what he's done. And that's a another reason that I believe that he was so attracted to the film industry. Because once your work is out there, it's out there forever, Even after he is long gone.

[Vanessa Richardson]

So many parts of this are chilling, but what does it say about him that he's confessing to his child?

[Dr. Tristan Engels]

Yeah, Mark knows. I mean, he said it himself. He knows that confessing to his daughter is safe. But more importantly, it really, truly highlights his fear of confrontation. He's aware of, as he's even written himself, that if friends and family knew the real him, those relationships would be irreparably damaged. This is why you wouldn't find him boasting to his wife or anyone who could truly hold him accountable or threaten the fantasy he lives in. So by choosing to confess to his daughter, Mark may see it as a way of finally letting his family know his true self, albeit in the safest way possible. But in his mind, this is kind of like a breakthrough. Maybe he's shared his truth and even though it's worth someone who can't understand, let alone react or even tell on him, he perceives it maybe in his way as validation. And it reinforces his internal narrative that his true self and his actions are acceptable. It's allowing him to maintain a sense of control and self justification without the risk of rejection or judgment or consequence.

[Vanessa Richardson]

Mark might have been carrying on as usual, but across town, John Altinger's friend Dale knew something was wrong. The last time the two had spoken was the evening of John's Internet date, and Dale hadn't heard anything from him since. Dale had tried calling him multiple times over the weekend with no luck. Then when John failed to show up to plans the two men had made for that Sunday, Dale got scared. He started calling around to John's other friends and realized no one else had heard from him either. And when Dale told them about the strange day date John had described on October 10, these friends also got worried. On Monday, October 13, Dale and a few other people decided to stop by John's house to check on him. They knocked on the door, but when there was no answer, they checked the garage. It was empty. As far as anyone knew, John should have been at home. The post holiday work week was about to begin and John hadn't made any plans to be out of town. As they left the house, Dale and his friends were more worried than ever. But then on Tuesday, John showed up online. At some point that morning, he sent out a canned email to his friends detailing his love affair and how he was running off with Jen to Costa Rica, the woman he'd met that past Friday. He said he'd be back in a couple months on December 10th. Dale was one the of of the people who received this email, and it made him feel much worse because the wording didn't sound like John at all, which meant someone was pretending to be his friend. And that John could be in danger.

[Dr. Tristan Engels]

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By Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and affiliates. Excludes Massachusetts By October 15, 2008, Dale Smith was convinced that something terrible had happened to his friend and John Altinger. He went to the police, but when they saw the email that John had sent out to his friends, they brushed Dale off to the cops. The idea of a young man running off with a new girlfriend wasn't worth investigating, so Dale had to return home and watch helplessly as things got worse. Throughout the following week, John continued to post online. He changed his Facebook status to In a Relationship and wrote updates about how much fun he was having in Costa Rica with Jen. But his posts were all one sided. If anyone tried to respond to him or ask questions about his trip, he usually didn't reply.

[Dr. Tristan Engels]

Mark's ease with adopting false identities and manipulating others is something we've seen in his earlier behaviors, like creating fake profiles on dating sites to taunt unsuspecting men and then to lure Gilles and John. This isn't new for him. It's part of a pattern of behavior where Mark uses deception as a tool to achieve his goals. His comfort with creating these alternate realities shows how reliant he is on manipulation and illusion. It's a way for Mark to remain in control of both the victim's fate and the narrative surrounding it. And just like he did online, he's using an altered version of reality to conceal the truth and control how others perceive the situation.

[Vanessa Richardson]

Do you think Mark is doing this just to conceal his murder? Or is he getting something out of pretending to be John. Do you think he enjoys this kind of identity theft that he seems to keep doing?

[Dr. Tristan Engels]

So that's a good question because it serves many purposes, actually. Firstly, it helps him to conceal the murder, right? Or at least delay any kind of investigation or suspicion. But it also gives them psychological gratification, and in a way, it's like a version of reliving the event, which is something also very typical of fantasy driven killers. Also, people with psychopathic traits or antisocial behavior Often get pleasure from outsmarting others or tricking them. It's like a game to them where they feel like they are better or smarter than those around them. This kind of deception likely feels really rewarding for him, like a rush of power or validation, reinforcing his belief that he's in control of everything around him. And certainly it's worth considering if there might be some sadistic qualities to this as well.

[Vanessa Richardson]

Frustrated by the lack of support from the police, Dale and some of John's friends went back to John's house to look around. After searching the place, several things stood out to the group. If John had really left on a whirlwind vacation, he'd packed life. He hadn't even taken his suitcase with him or his passport. But one thing was missing. John's computer. To Dale, this was clear proof that someone else was pretending to be his friend. And when he brought this information to the police, they finally agreed to open an investigation. Meanwhile, Mark Twitchell was also keeping busy. It isn't clear when he stole John Altinger's laptop, but he'd been posting as his victim for days. He'd also returned to the garage to clean it, Scrubbing away whatever traces of blood he could find. The last thing he had to do was get rid of John's car, a red Mazda that was still parked next to the garage. To do this, he called up his friend Joss, explaining he'd met a stranger at a gas station who was trying to sell off a ton of stuff at low prices. Mark said he'd bought the stranger's car for only $40 and was now willing to part with it for the same price. Joss was shocked by how cheap the offer was, and when he drove over to the rented garage to check it out, he was even more amazed. The car was only three years old and had been well taken care of. When he pressed Mark about why he'd want to part with such an amazing steel, Mark explained it was a stick shift and he couldn't drive it, so.

[Dr. Tristan Engels]

We already know that Mark is pretty good at deception. That's pretty clear. He's been deceiving the people in his immediate circle for years, and then now this. But there is more to it than that, that there's also a creative side to his deception. In Mark's case, this isn't just about telling a simple lie. It's about constructing another fictional reality that serves his goal and allows him to avoid suspicion. His ability to improvise and adapt his lies to fit the conversation really speaks to a quality that is often seen in skilled manipulators. But to add to that skill is someone who works in the film industry at least adjacent. Not only has he himself acted out scenarios since he was a child, he's observed actors, professionals, professionals at work. And this would give him a unique understanding and skill regarding performance. It certainly helped him to master the art of deception. And when you consider his personality structure, it kind of like really makes him much more dangerous.

[Vanessa Richardson]

Does Mark genuinely not understand the difference between storytelling, fiction and an outright lies.

[Dr. Tristan Engels]

Based on his pattern? So far, I think he does understand the difference, or he wouldn't be living in this duality and hiding this side of himself from others. But the boundary between them is very blurred, which happened over time. For Mark, both storytelling and lying serve the same purpose. They allow him to manipulate reality in a way that benefits him. He's not just crafting narratives for entertainment. He's using them as a tool for control, power, and self preservation, making the distinction between truth and fiction just less important to him in the process.

[Vanessa Richardson]

Even though Mark's friend could tell the deal was too good to be true, he decided to take it. Moments later, Mark watched Joss drive off in the Mazda, relieved he had one less thing to worry about. As far as he was concerned, everything was going according to plan. So he was shocked when he got a call from the police. On October 18, eight days after killing John, Mark found himself on the phone with Constable Chris Maxwell. The officer wanted to confirm that Mark was the person who was renting a garage on the edge of town. His name was on the leasing paperwork. When Mark said yes, Maxwell asked if he and another officer could take a look around the structure later that day. Not wanting to seem suspicious, Mark agreed. He met the officers at the garage and tried to play it cool. As Maxwell and his colleague walked around the room, Mark told them he hadn't been at the property since October 10, the day of the murder. It's not clear why he'd admit to that, but it didn't really seem to matter. The officers weren't listening. That's possibly because Maxwell had noticed something Mark had completely overlooked in the midst of all his cleaning. A thin piece of paper lying on a table. It was a receipt dated October 15 from a local hardware store. The items on it instantly stood out. Rubber gloves, plastic sheets, paper towels, and heavy duty cleaner. Noting the last four digits of the MasterCard used to buy all these items, Maxwell called Mark over and asked for his credit card. Mark could see what the officer was holding and at first tried to show Maxwell a few other cards. But Maxwell wasn't deterred and specifically asked to see Mark's MasterCard. With growing dread, Mark complied, pulling out the credit card that matched the one on the receipt. It was enough to land Mark in the interrogation room of the local police precinct. But once the questioning started, Mark was suddenly back to his old self. Any anxiety or stress he'd felt in the garage was gone. Suddenly he had an answer for everything. Chatting with the detective as if they were old friends, he quickly brushed aside questions about John Altinger, saying that he had never heard that name before and had also never heard of a woman named Jen. Then Mark started telling them about his work as a filmmaker. He talked at length about the slasher film he'd just finished shooting in the garage, his long search for investors, and his plans for future movies with a list celebrities. He even told the detective the right mixture of corn syrup and food coloring to make fake blood.

[Dr. Tristan Engels]

So I've never met nor evaluated Mark. So this is educational only, and it's not any kind of formal clinical diagnosis or opinion. But this is behavior that is characteristic of something known as superficial charm and glibness, as well as traits of narcissism. Mark could be consciously or unconsciously trying to distract the investigators, reduce their suspicion, or make them view him as a creative, an interesting individual, someone who isn't a suspect. By discussing high profile topics like his plans for celebrity collaborations, he could be trying to position himself as someone who's also high profile and therefore trustworthy. He might feel this will not only help him avoid suspicion, but to help him feel more superior in the interrogation room, which shifts the power dynamic away from the officers and back onto him. We know that Mark loves control, after all, and it wouldn't be surprising if he tried to regain that during a missing person's investigation. At the same time, Mark talking about his recent movie and filming could also be his way of once again blending truth with storytelling to justify and explain the contents of that receipt and potentially address any third party information that Might already be in the hands of the investigators. Because if we remember, John, his victim had already seen the contents of the garage and left before he returned again. He even told his friend Dale about the encounter. So it's possible that Mark realized this possibility and in an attempt to control the narrative, Was preemptively explaining what the garage looks like and why. By linking the garage to his filmmaking activities, he might have been trying to offer a plausible explanation for any suspicious details the investigators might have uncovered. But essentially, he's in self preservation mode and he's relying on his charm, deception and manipulation to get through it.

[Vanessa Richardson]

Unfortunately for Mark, the detectives weren't distracted by the young man's chatter. They had not forgotten the fact that he was renting the same garage that John altinger had apparently been going to on the night of his disappearance. And they certainly couldn't ignore the ominous receipt from the hardware store showing a list of strange eyes items that Mark had purchased. Mark was allowed to leave, but within the next 24 hours, his entire life was put under a magnifying glass. The police confiscated his car, the garage, and even began to search through his house. Shocked by the sudden police activity, Mark's wife, Jess, demanded that he explain what was going on. Mark wasn't about to tell her what had happened to John Altinger. So possibly as a distraction, Mark decided to own up to the other lies he'd been telling his w. He explained that he hadn't been employed for a long time and that his film career had fizzled out. As a result, he had no money to support her or their child. In a mix of shock and disgust, Jess left Mark, Taking their daughter with her. As for Mark, he didn't want to live in a home that was crawling with cops, so he retreated to his parents house. Over the next few days, Mark was in a state of constant panic. His marriage had disintegrated and the ongoing investigation had uprooted his life. And since he seemed unable to talk himself out of trouble, he did his best to do some damage control. He hastily sent out emails to the cast and crew of his films, Urging them not to talk to the police. It doesn't seem like he got any significant responses until one night toward the end of October. That's when a businessman emailed him, saying he'd heard about Mark's star wars fan movie and was interested in investing money money in future projects. Amazed by his luck, Mark and the businessman exchanged a few emails before agreeing to meet in person on Halloween. All of a sudden, any thoughts about the investigation and his ruined marriage left Mark's mind. He spent the week leading up to that meeting awash with ideas, sending email after email to his potential investor and making a string of promises about their future success. The businessman responded with enthusiasm, saying he was thrilled to discuss everything when they met up on Halloween, Mark got dressed early. The last few weeks had been overwhelming to say the least, but he was sure that this was the break he'd been waiting for. He stepped out of his parents house feeling like his life was about to change. He had no idea how right he he was.

[Dr. Tristan Engels]

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[Vanessa Richardson]

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[Dr. Tristan Engels]

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[Vanessa Richardson]

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[Dr. Tristan Engels]

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[Vanessa Richardson]

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[Dr. Tristan Engels]

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[Vanessa Richardson]

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[Dr. Tristan Engels]

Friends with a murderer? Or to escape a kidnapping?

[Vanessa Richardson]

Or to be the daughter of a serial killer?

[Dr. Tristan Engels]

I'm Jack Vanek. And I'm Alexis Linkletter and we're the.

[Vanessa Richardson]

Hosts of the First Degree Pot.

[Dr. Tristan Engels]

Every Wednesday we dive into a new true crime story told through the eyes of somebody intimately connected to the case itself. From the world's most infamous crimes to unbelievable cases you've never even heard of, we examine the ripple effects that one single moment can have on an infinite number of lives. Join us as we navigate the twisted paths of crime and uncover a closer understanding of the darkness that walks among us every day. Listen to the First Degree and every Wednesday and Thursday, wherever you get your.

[Vanessa Richardson]

Podcasts, on October 31, 2008, 29 year old Mark Twitchell was at the center of an investigation into the disappearance of John Altinger. But he didn't care about that at the moment because Mark was on his way to meet with a potential investor about bringing his future projects to life. As he left his parents house and walked down the street. He noticed a van speeding in his direction. He didn't think much of it until it screeched to a halt right in front of him. In a flash, the door opened and a horde of armed police officers rushed out. Before he understood what was happening, Mark was surrounded. He was forced to the ground and handcuffed. In the midst of the chaos, a detective stooped down to tell Mark that he was being arrested for first degree murder. The business meeting had been a complete setup. There was no investor. It had all been a ploy to get Mark to leave his parents house without suspecting foul play. That way the police would have a better chance of gathering evidence that hadn't been tampered with and it worked.

[Dr. Tristan Engels]

Well. Isn't that poetic justice? After years of pretending to be someone else online to deceive others, even luring them to their death, that very same method was used to bring him to justice. And he's now on the receiving end. And for someone like Mark, who had been in control for so long, being outmaneuvered with his own methods likely caused a mixture of shock, humiliation, frustration or rage.

[Vanessa Richardson]

Why was Mark so willing to believe this fantasy business deal? Was he just so naive to think his problems were just completely behind him? And again, I have to point out how narcissistic this feels in Is it fair to characterize Mark as a narcissist?

[Dr. Tristan Engels]

Yes, it certainly is. Arrogance and narcissism seem to have been recurring traits in Mark's behavior for a long time. Looking back at his decisions, especially as a father and husband, everything he did was self serving. He aspired to grandiose dreams of fame, walking the red carpet, becoming successful, and collaborating with a list celebrities. When the opportunity arose. He didn't hesitate to boast about his creative abilities and inflated his self worth to attract investors for his project and even to disarm law enforcement. Mark consistently put his own needs and desires first, showing little to no ability to consider other perspectives or even consequences. Only Mark mattered and this is why he was so willing, I think, to believe in this fantasy business deal. It wasn't because he was naive, but because he was living in a fantasy world where he was inherently superior. His sense of self importance allowed him to completely avoid confronting anything that could shatter that fantasy. And over time, Mark has misled himself, avoiding reality and reinforcing his own delusions. This is a classic example of self deception where he has convinced himself that everything in his life would work out because in his mind and his fantasy, he was entitled to success. And he was immune from consequences of his actions.

[Vanessa Richardson]

Instead of heading to this life changing meeting, Mark spent the rest of the day sitting across from a detective being interrogated. The outfit he'd put on that morning had been seized, so he was in a random set of clothes that the police had provided him. Investigators had put together a PowerPoint presentation of all the evidence that had been gathered against Mark. This included information they just learned that morning when retrieving his laptop from his parents house. It hadn't taken them long to find SK Confessions, which was basically a detailed timeline of what Mark had done to John. And Mark had changed all the names in the document and claimed it was a screenplay. But many of the things he wrote about overlapped with the details in John's case, Including the decision to target men on dating websites. And since Mark had also waxed poetic about actually carrying out a murder, Police were fairly sure that John Altinger wasn't just missing. He was dead. In addition to SK Confessions, the authorities had also found John's laptop in Mark's parents house, Essentially proving that Mark had been the one posting from John's account for the last few weeks. Finally, they found traces of blood in Mark's car and on his shoes. Both of them were matched to John. Even with all the evidence against him, Mark refused to confess. Actually, he wouldn't speak at all. During the whole first day of interrogations, Mark barely responded to any of the interviewing detectives comments or questions. Questions the following day brought more of the same. Authorities tried to barter with Mark and offer him a lesser charge if he agreed to show the police where he had put the body. But Mark wouldn't cooperate. So the police decided to take another approach. In SK Confessions, Mark alluded to the fact that he had tried and failed to kill another victim. There hadn't been a police report filed about the incident, so the authorities decided to hold a press conference to tell the public about the case. They hoped that in doing so, Mark's first victim would see it and come forward. The press conference generated a media frenzy as more publications reported on the story. That attention soon spread through online channels too. Mark had an avid Internet presence, and it wasn't hard for the media to find his posts Talking voraciously about Dexter Morgan, the fictional serial killer Mark was trying to emulate. Soon that became the headline, the case of the Dexter obsessed killer. International reporters started pouring into Mark's hometown of Edmonton. A host of other media organizations sent reporters to the city, Hoping to catch a scoop. Many others drove out to see the rented garage, with some even leaving mementos for John Altinger. Thanks to the swell of media around the case, the police finally got the attention of the person they were looking for. A man called the station, saying that that he knew the name of the surviving victim, Gilles Tetro. The police immediately reached out to Gilles, hoping he'd share his experience. Lucky for them, Gilles was ready to talk.

[Dr. Tristan Engels]

I'm sure a lot of people are probably wondering why Gilles didn't go to the police and file a police report after this happened. So let's talk about the many reasons why someone might not report a crime to police. One common reason is the shock and the trauma of the incident itself. Victims of violent crimes often experience emotional paralysis, where the trauma of what happened just overwhelms them. It's also common for victims to minimize the event or under report incidents out of a desire to avoid confrontation or prolonged trauma. He might have been trying to move on from the experience, maybe feeling too vulnerable to engage with law enforcement, or feeling shame for what happened to begin with. Gilles might have been blaming himself for being deceived or for putting himself in a compromising position in his mind. But clearly the only person to blame here is Mark. So now why is Gio willing to speak up? Hearing about other victims and the public exposure of Mark's actions may have helped him realize that he was not alone and that what happened to him was in fact real and more serious than he might have believed it to be, and that Mark was truly a danger to others. There could also be a desire for justice or a sense of moral responsibility. Now that he knows Mark has hurt someone, someone else coming forward in his mind could help protect future potential victims. And lastly, the bravery it takes to speak out in a case like this can't be overstated. The publicity surrounding Mark's arrest in the press conference would have made this an incredibly challenging decision for Gilles. It takes immense courage to step forward and talk about such a personal traumatic event, especially when doing so could invite public attention or judgment. But it is also important just to remind everyone out there listening and anyone who has been victimized in the past and did not report it, that just because a crime wasn't reported doesn't mean it didn't happen. Victims may choose not to come forward for a variety of reasons which I already outlined. And there is no shame or blame for not reporting something. And everyone's journey in processing and dealing with a traumatic event is different. The decision to speak out when or if it comes is a personal one and no One should feel judged for taking the time they need need or for the decision that they ultimately make.

[Vanessa Richardson]

When Gilles told the police what happened, they were amazed by how closely his experience matched the description that Mark had written in SK Confessions. To them, this further confirmed that the document wasn't a work of fiction at all, but a play by play of Mark's murderous actions. After this, SK Confessions became the link linchpin for the investigation. A growing team of detectives was tasked with determining how truthful it was. And with each new confirmation, the police added an item to the growing stack of evidence against Mark. There was still one thing the police couldn't find, though. John Altinger's remains. Mark had written in SK Confessions that he'd disposed of the body in a sewer. So police scanning scoured the city, checking virtually every drain near Mark's home. But they couldn't find anything. Over the next year, the police searched for John's body while Mark sat in federal custody, waiting for his court date. During this time, the police visited him, brandishing maps and demanding that Mark point out the spot where he'd put John. But he refused to comply. That is, until June 3rd 3rd, 2010, a little under two years after he'd been arrested. That day, Mark's lawyer called the homicide department to tell them that his client was finally ready to give them what they wanted. It isn't clear why Mark finally decided to tell the authorities where John Altinger's remains were, but his information was accurate. And when the police rushed to the sewer that Mark had directed them to, they found a few floors, floating garbage bags that contained what was left of John. It's possible that Mark finally gave away this information, because at this point, he didn't seem to care that the police knew he'd killed John. Actually, that fact became the whole basis for his defense. When his trial began in the spring of 2011, Mark explained to the jury that luring John Altinger to the garage was part of a publicity stunt for a new horror film experience called Maple. This stood for Multi Angle Psychosis Layering Entertainment. The idea was that he would scare unsuspecting strangers into thinking they were about to get murdered. Mark said he hoped that these people would then blog about what happened to them, fostering a larger online conversation and maybe even generating an urban legend about the experience. Mark claimed that when John entered the garage and was realized he was part of a prank, he became furious and attacked Mark. The pair fought, and Mark said that he had no choice but to kill John in order to save his own Life. It was self defense.

[Dr. Tristan Engels]

Well, if that's the case, then why dismember him and not report it and then refuse to tell officers where the remains were for years?

[Vanessa Richardson]

Well, yeah. The jury did not buy it. After a three week long term trial, they found Mark guilty of first degree murder and a judge sentenced him to life in prison with the possibility of parole in 25 years. To John Altinger's friends and family, this verdict felt like a brutal chapter finally ending. John couldn't be brought back to life, but this was some semblance of justice. Mark is still in prison and won't be eligible for parole until 2036. But being behind bars hasn't stopped him from trying to make his filmmaking dreams a reality. Since his trial ended, Mark has been vocal about his creative endeavors. His goal is to revive his former production company, Express Entertainment. He wants to regain control over the footage he filmed for his previous projects and publish it for public viewing. That includes the fan made Star wars preview sequel, the promotional footage for his comedy Day Players, and House of Cards, the slasher movie that he shot shortly before John Altinger's murder. As of this recording, none of the footage has been released.

[Dr. Tristan Engels]

All right, so Mark, who appears to have narcissistic and psychopathic traits, likely sees filmmaking as a way to immortalize himself. People like Mark often crave recognition and admiration. And for Mark specifically, whose crimes have defined his public image now, now his movies might be one of the few ways he can control still how people will remember him. He's also had a pattern of fantasy escapism which we've outlined, and that has been his coping mechanism and outlet since he was a child. So he's absolutely going to continue that while incarcerated where there are far less outlets at his disposal. But more importantly, he probably sees his incarceration and his crime as an opportunity to garner more interest and attention. And he wouldn't be wrong. Many notorious killers and serial killers have generated income and admiration after their incarceration with book deals, interviews, selling their artwork, movies that were adapted after them, or people who write them out of fascination.

[Vanessa Richardson]

How does Mark kind of relate to other killers who've loved the spotlight, like Ted Bundy?

[Dr. Tristan Engels]

And again, I know Mark isn't a serial killer because he was caught before he could continue. But he very much fits the profile of a budding serial killer. And his behavior since his incarceration is no different than other ones. Like you mentioned, Ted Bundy, both killers, and certainly many others have used their crimes and the public's fascination with them as a means to fuel their ego, to justify their behavior and maintain an image of superiority. Whether it's through media attention or a trial spectacle like Bundy or creative output. Their desire to be remembered, even if it's for the wrong reasons, speaks to a deep rooted need for immortality and control. And that's a fundamental trait seen in many serial killers, especially especially those with psychopathic tendencies and narcissistic traits.

[Vanessa Richardson]

Well, Mark always had trouble separating fiction from reality, and even now those lines remain blurred for him. In prison, Mark still imagines himself as a director waiting for his big break. But he can't pitch his way out of his current circumstances. His despicable crime was real and had very tangible consequences. Consequences he may have gotten the infamy he wanted, but instead of living out his days in Hollywood, he'll have to make do in a prison cell. Thanks so much for listening. Come back next time for a deep dive into the mind of another murderer.

[Dr. Tristan Engels]

Killer Minds is a Crime House original. Powered by Pave Studios. Here at Crime House, we want to thank each and every one of you for your support. If you like what you heard today, reach out on social media at Crime House. And don't forget to rate, review and follow Killer Minds wherever you get your podcasts. Your feedback truly makes a difference and.

[Vanessa Richardson]

To enhance your listening experience, subscribe to Crime House plus on Apple Podcasts. You'll get every episode of Killer Minds ad free, along with early access to each thrilling two part series and exciting bonus content. Killer Minds is hosted by me, Vanessa Richardson and Dr. Tristan Engels and is a Crime House original. Powered by Pave Studios. This episode was brought to life by the Killer Minds team. Max Cutler, Ron Church Shapiro, Alex Benedon, Lori Marinelli, Natalie Pertovsky, Kate Murdoch, Sarah Camp, Georgia Hampton, Sarah Tardif and Carrie Murphy. Thank you for listening twice Every weekday, Crime House Daily has the latest stories in crime mornings are the headline updates, evenings dive into the drama. Follow Crime House Daily wherever you listen or catch us on YouTube so you never miss an episode.