I Sat Down With A Killer

Mon Aug 18 2025

What happened that day in that little house in the woods is not a debate. The evidence is all there. The blood, the wounds, the dead man lying on the floor of the living room. That night while the homeowner was watching TV - Clark Fredericks walked in, slashed at him with a hunting knife, stabbing him all over his chest, before finally slitting his throat. It’s a bloody killing. There’s blood splattered and smeared all over the room. Detectives have so many questions for the killer - Like why did he kill him? Why did he go and spit on his bed before leaving? Did he think that he was going to get away with this? What was the reason? And does he regret it? Today, we’re getting answers to those questions. This is our interview with Clark Fredericks. Full Shownotes: rottenmangopodcast.com

Transcript

Interviewer (0:00)

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Clark Fedrix (1:10)

Bada bing, bada boo.

Interviewer (1:12)

There is a certain process of elimination when you are at the scene of a death. Some cases are obviously going to be trickier than others. Some cases, the whole time, the investigators are debating, first of all, how, like, how did this even happen? We don't know. And if this is what truly happened, if our theory is correct, are we sure that's what really happened? That's what the investigators are doing. But for Detective Ryan, this case starts off really easy. Dead man in the living room in his own house. He's dead in his living room, in his house, in, like, a secluded wooded area. He walks in. Was it natural? That's the first question. Well, no, because there's droplets of blood right at the entrance of the house. It doesn't seem like it was natural. Detective Ryan steps into the house a little bit deeper. Now, was it a robbery gone wrong? The door shows no signs of forced entry. He steps inside further, and there are just streaks of blood everywhere. One of the other officers walks straight up to him and just says, well, somebody tried to cut this dude's head off. Murder. That's what this is. We got the how the cause of death is murder with a hunting knife. By the clues left behind in the living room, I mean, nothing of value is taken. All of the blood is concentrated near the couch in this living room area. Whoever did this hunted the dead man. It's like they hunted them and killed him in his own living room. And it wasn't quick either. Like, there are slash wounds all over this man's body. His throat is nearly slit. You can see, see the bone on both sides. There's blood all over the walls. There's blood soaking into the carpets. This guy was hunted. He was killed rather painfully, rather violently in his own living room. The first interesting detail that sticks out to officer Ryan is that there's this bloody footprint that just feels so out of place. Obviously, there's gonna be lots of bloody footprints all over this living room, but it's concentrated in this specific living room area except this one clear bloody footprint right in front of the door to the primary bedroom. It's almost like the killer, whoever this person is, walked over there, put one foot just outside the door, never stepped inside. What are they doing? Detective Ryan steps inside the master bedroom, and he starts looking around, and that's when he sees it. He's like, did the killer slit that man's throat? Walk over to this bedroom to spit on the bed? Detective Ryan knows instantly that whoever did this knows the dead man, targeted the dead man, hunted the dead man, and left a giant trail of evidence. It's not long after that that Detective Ryan is gonna find the killer, and he's got a lot of questions to ask this killer, and so do we. Can you take us to when we're in the car after you kill Dennis?

Summary

Rotten Mango – "I Sat Down With A Killer" (August 18, 2025) – Episode Summary

Main Theme & Purpose

In this intense and harrowing episode of Rotten Mango, Stephanie Soo sits down with Clark Fedrix, a self-confessed killer who murdered Dennis Pegg, a man he alleges abused him—and many others—for decades. The episode is a deep dive into the psychology of both the abuser and the avenger, exploring the cycles of trauma, vengeance, the failings of the justice system, and the generational ripple effects of abuse. Through Clark’s firsthand account, listeners are confronted with questions about justice, survival, and the true cost of trauma.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Crime Scene and Immediate Aftermath

[01:12] Detective Ryan finds Dennis Pegg dead in his home—blood everywhere, clear signs he was “hunted” and killed violently, not a quick crime. Key evidence includes a distinctive bloody footprint right outside the master bedroom.
[04:16] Clark recalls leaving the crime scene injured, bleeding from a knife wound to his hand. He describes feeling more focused on not bleeding out than escaping.

"I was bleeding severely... I was not even thinking about getting away with it. I was thinking about stopping the blood flow." — Clark Fedrix [04:16]
[06:05] The next morning, police surround Clark’s house. He feels his life is over.

"I'm thinking life is over." — Clark Fedrix [06:26]

Clark’s Psychological State & Motive

[06:39] Clark admits to feeling almost nothing upon seeing the graphic crime scene photos, describing the murder as “horrific” but not something he rejoices over.
The court and psychiatrists were perplexed—Clark is not psychotic, does not fit the profile of a typical murderer, and claims no remorse for killing Dennis.
The entire town rallies behind Clark, with “Free Clark” bumper stickers becoming ubiquitous.

"The short answer is he was a monster." — Clark Fedrix, on why he killed Dennis Pegg [09:44]

"He had a 45 year reign of terror...raping boys." — Clark Fedrix [09:50]

The Early Years: Grooming and Abuse

[10:13] Clark, born with a hole in his heart (his “zipper” scar), recounts how Pegg began grooming him as a child, using the scar as a pretext for inappropriate touch.

"He was my brother's boy scout leader...family friend." — Clark Fedrix [11:03] "A predator is a chess master… I don't think he cared two hoots about my scar. It was just an avenue." — Clark Fedrix [16:17]
Pegg established trust and secrecy through manipulation—confiding, gift-giving (e.g., a knife sharpener for Clark's hunting knife), alcohol, and exposure to pornography and physical touch (wrestling).

"He’d wrestle you, then his eyes would go black...pin me to the ground...start gyrating." — Clark Fedrix [33:37]
Clark’s haunting memory of Pegg’s “meaty fingers” becomes a recurring sensory motif of the trauma.

Patterns of Control and Violence

Pegg's cruelty toward animals—stomping on sunfish, biting goldfish in half—was a performance of dominance meant to instill fear in young boys.

“That’s what you do to things that are worthless.” — Dennis Pegg (recounted by Clark) [17:30]
The abuse escalates over years from secrecy and grooming to overt sexual violence and sadism, including threats and demonstrations of lethal force (e.g., beating his dog to death as a warning).

"He brought his dog over to me and said, I want to show you what will happen to you if you ever open your mouth..." — Clark Fedrix [37:19]

The Long-Term Effects of Trauma

Clark internalizes shame and guilt, carrying the blame for Pegg’s actions toward others (including the dog).
Over three decades, Clark buries the trauma, which manifests as substance abuse and psychological unraveling.

"I led the most exhausting life because I would crank on a smile to the world. And inside I was completely broken." — Clark Fedrix [44:01]

The Encounter That Changed Everything

[45:26] Thirty-three years later, Clark sees Pegg at a convenience store with another young boy, triggering intense distress and a mental breakdown.

“He had a young boy by his side… and the boy called him by the same nickname he made me use.” — Clark Fedrix [45:54]
Unable to cope, Clark spirals into addiction, unemployment, and obsession with preventing future victims.

Confession and the Decision to Kill

The breaking point comes when Clark, after 33 years, confides in his friend Bob and decides to confront Pegg—armed only with the knife Pegg taught him to sharpen.

"It wasn't planned… I handed him the knife...let's just go confront this piece of garbage." — Clark Fedrix [58:53]

The Night of the Murder: A Suicide Mission

Clark and Bob enter Pegg’s house. A brief, violent struggle ensues, ending with Clark killing Pegg in an act he describes as rage-filled, not calculated.

"I raced across the room...started slashing...I said, 'It's not so fun little boys now, is it, Dennis?' And I slit his throat." — Clark Fedrix [61:41]
Symbolically, Clark spits on the bed where the abuse occurred.

"To bring things full circle and to a closure, I needed to do that." — Clark Fedrix [72:45]
He feels no catharsis, only the end of his own life as he knew it.

"You don't heal from trauma by adding more trauma...I knew walking out of his house that night that my life was over." — Clark Fedrix [63:02]

Aftermath, Arrest, and Law Enforcement’s Complicity

Clark is arrested after unsuccessfully considering suicide by cop. His mother tries to help him escape before the police arrive; she cleans blood to hide evidence.
In a surprise twist, Lieutenant Howie Ryan, the crime scene investigator, apologizes to Clark for law enforcement’s failure:

"I've heard rumors about Dennis Pegg for a long time...I want to apologize for never stopping him. I can't arrest someone on rumors...and I apologize to you." — Howie Ryan, as recounted by Clark [81:30]
Clark notes the anger this provokes: "Even the state police knew… Everybody knew." [81:52]

The Town’s Reaction & Legal Defense

Community opinion is polarizing. While some cling to Pegg’s public persona, others quickly rally behind Clark as a vigilante hero.
Clark’s lawyer (Dan Perez) offers hope for a valid defense, against a first-degree murder charge.

"I think we can have a valid defense for this... It's not going to be easy, but I don't think your life is over." — Dan Perez [87:26]

Additional Revelations

Police discover letters in Pegg’s safe deposit box, allegedly to victims, hinting at awareness and guilt:

“Forgive me for any failings... I hope I didn’t disappoint you...” — Dennis Pegg (letters discussed) [88:10]
The scope of Pegg's predation is estimated at "well over 100" victims, including Clark’s own brother, who later drinks himself to death—another casualty of the cycle of abuse.

"My brother... found dead on our kitchen floor... from drinking himself to death." — Clark Fedrix [90:09]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the nature of justice:

"You don't heal from trauma by adding more trauma. You don't heal from sexual abuse by murdering someone." — Clark Fedrix [63:02]
On confronting the abuser:

"If they could spit on the bed they were raped in, they would want to do it." — Clark Fedrix [74:19]
Law enforcement’s admission:

"I can't arrest somebody on rumors. I need victims, I need cold, hard facts… and I apologize to you." — Lt. Howie Ryan [81:30]
Stephanie’s reflection:

"It almost feels therapeutic when you spit on his bed...I know you don't advocate for people to do and follow in those steps, but it just...was relief for the reader." — Stephanie Soo [74:16]

Important Timestamps

01:12 — Description of the crime scene by Detective Ryan
04:16 — Clark recalls fleeing after the murder, wounded
09:44 — Motive for the killing: Dennis as a “monster”
10:13 — Childhood heart surgery and the start of Pegg’s grooming
17:30 — Pegg's cruelty to sunfish; lessons in dominance
24:46 — Pegg’s omnipresence at school and in the community
33:37 — The escalation: wrestling as a transition to abuse
37:19 — The breaking point: sexual assault and the dog's death
45:54 — Seeing Pegg with a new victim at QuickCheck
58:53 — Decision to confront Pegg: suicide mission
61:41 — The murder: a struggle, then revenge and symbolism
72:45 — Spitting on the bed: closure or not
81:30 — Lt. Ryan's apology and revelations about Pegg
90:09 — Confirmation that Clark’s brother, too, was a victim
91:03 — End tease: FBI warnings, fights in prison, and further fallout (to come in Part 2)

Episode Tone & Structure

Stephanie’s approach is empathetic but unflinching, allowing Clark to narrate his trauma in his own voice. The tone is somber, reflective, and raw, with periodic moments of dark humor and absurdity—such as Clark’s mother’s outlandish efforts to help him escape, or the morbid poetics of spitting on the bed. Despite the subject matter, both Clark and Stephanie strive to emphasize the reality that vengeance is not healing, and that true justice eluded everyone for decades.

For Listeners

This episode is the first of a two-part series—ending with unanswered questions about threats to Clark’s life in prison, the FBI warning him of a hit, and yet more tragedy among Pegg’s victims. Stephanie encourages the audience to seek out Clark’s memoir, “Scarred,” for deeper context, and promises further revelations in the follow-up episode.

Trigger warning: This episode contains graphic descriptions of sexual abuse, violence, and trauma. Listener discretion is strongly advised.

End of Summary.