The Man in the Black Mask: Episode 3 - "Catfishing" Summary

Introduction

In Episode 3 titled "Catfishing" of The Man in the Black Mask, hosted by NBC News' Keith Morrison, listeners are plunged deeper into the enigmatic disappearance of Johnny Altinger. The narrative intricately weaves the lines between fiction and reality, exploring the possible connections between a rising young director, Mark Twitchell, and the vanishing of Altinger near Twitchell's film set. This episode delves into themes of illusion, deception, and the complexities of modern storytelling, all while unraveling a real-life horror story.

Background: Mark Twitchell and Johnny Altinger

Mark Twitchell, a passionate filmmaker from Edmonton, had been working on a horror movie featuring a serial killer donning a hockey mask. Twitchell's dedication to his craft is evident from the outset. As Morrison notes, "He was a movie maker, the storyteller. Someone who imagined he could turn his make believe into film and do it for a living" (01:30). Twitchell's ambition was not just to create fiction but to blur the lines between his creations and reality.

Johnny Altinger, a local individual, was last seen heading to meet a woman he met on a dating website near Twitchell's film set. His sudden disappearance raised suspicions, especially given Twitchell's creative endeavors and the emerging parallels between his fictional works and real-life events.

The Investigation: SK Confessions and Detective Clark's Work

Detective Bill Clark spearheaded the investigation into Altinger's disappearance. The case took a pivotal turn when a deleted document titled "SK Confessions" was recovered from Twitchell's laptop. Described as a 32-page diary, it contained detailed accounts that eerily mirrored Twitchell's movie script, "House of Cards."

Clark recounted, "I think our total investigation, we had 112 officers involved" (12:22), highlighting the intensity and scale of the investigation. As the detectives delved into "SK Confessions," they found unsettling similarities:

• Emotional Detachment: The document featured a character devoid of empathy, pondering the nature vs. nurture debate, mirroring Twitchell's narratives (07:25).

• Catfishing Elements: A significant excerpt detailed the use of online dating platforms to lure victims, directly paralleling Altinger's last known activities (08:37).

• Murder Methods: Descriptions of killers using specific weapons, such as stun guns and knives, were mirrored in Twitchell's film scripts, raising questions about the authenticity of these accounts (10:08; 11:20).

Detective Clark was initially convinced of Twitchell's involvement, stating, "I'm thinking this guy's involved in this guy's disappearance wherever he may be. Somehow I know that." (20:23). However, inconsistencies began to surface, casting doubt on whether "SK Confessions" was a genuine diary or a fictional manuscript.

Theories and the Publicity Stunt Hypothesis

As the investigation progressed, alternative theories emerged. A prevailing hypothesis suggested that Twitchell orchestrated Altinger's disappearance as a publicity stunt to promote his film. Morrison narrates, "Mark Twitchell might actually fool everybody, including those clever cops, get them all thinking he was an actual serial killer" (18:15). This theory posits that Twitchell aimed to generate buzz and attract funding through sensationalism.

Supporters of this theory, including John Pinsett, Twitchell's financial backer, found the idea plausible, stating, "A publicity stunt was the only explanation that made any sense to him." (19:16). The notion was that Twitchell's actions, while reckless, were a calculated move to thrust his work into the spotlight.

The Role of the Man in the Hockey Mask

The mystery deepened with accounts from witnesses who reported encounters with a man in a distinctive hockey mask. One such interaction involved Marissa and Trevor, a local couple who encountered a masked individual on an evening stroll. Their description matched that of the killer in "SK Confessions":

"A hockey mask, black, with gold claw-like slashes across the right side" (27:22).

These sightings coincided with key events in the investigation, but no concrete evidence linked the masked individual to Altinger's disappearance or to Twitchell. The enigmatic presence of the masked figure kept detectives and listeners alike questioning the true nature of the events unfolding.

Conclusion and Ongoing Mysteries

By the episode's end, the lines between Twitchell's fiction and the real-life mystery of Johnny Altinger's disappearance remain blurred. Detective Clark remains convinced of Twitchell's involvement, despite the lack of tangible evidence connecting him directly to the case (20:33). The recovery of "SK Confessions" and its eerie similarities to Twitchell's film work continue to fuel speculation and intrigue.

As Morrison concludes, the episode leaves listeners pondering the extent to which storytelling can influence reality and vice versa. The unresolved elements of Altinger's disappearance and the ambiguous nature of Twitchell's intentions ensure that the mystery remains unsolved, setting the stage for future episodes.

Notable Quotes

• Mark Twitchell on Passion: "I love what I do." (02:45)

• Detective Bill Clark on Investigation Scale: "I think our total investigation, we had 112 officers involved." (12:22)

• SK Confessions Excerpt: "I feel no such emotions as empathy or sympathy towards others... genetics play a bigger role than I thought." (07:25)

• Catfishing Strategy: "I choose my victims based on age, body type, profession, status and living situation... I know I found my ideal target." (08:37)

• Detective on Evidence Correlation: "Everything turned out to be true. So we got no reason to disbelieve this." (14:19)

• Twitchell’s Fictional Tactics: "With my stun baton fully extended in the safety off." (11:20)

• Detective Clark on Twitchell’s Involvement: "I'm thinking this guy's involved in this guy's disappearance wherever he may be. Somehow I know that." (20:23)

• Publicity Stunt Theory: "Is this guy so bright that he's going to have himself arrested and do all of this?" (19:35)

• Financial Backer’s View: "A publicity stunt was the only explanation that made any sense to him." (19:27)

• Witness Description of Mask: "A hockey mask that I would cut the mouth out of and paint gold streaks into for dramatic effects." (27:32)

• Detective’s Continued Conviction: "I'm thinking this guy's involved in this guy's disappearance wherever he may be. Somehow I know that." (20:23)

Production Credits

The Man in the Black Mask is produced by Dateline and NBC News, with Keith Morrison as the host. Key production members include Vince Sterle (Producer), Brian Drew, Deb Brown, and Marshall Housefeld (Audio Editors), Justin Ratchford (Field Producer), Leslie Grossman (Program Coordinator), Adam Gorfin (Co-Executive Producer), Paul Ryan (Executive Producer), and Liz Cole (Senior Executive Producer). Audio sound mixing is handled by Katie Lau Bryson Barnes, Head of Audio Production.

Looking Ahead

As The Man in the Black Mask continues to explore the intertwining of fiction and reality, Episode 3 "Catfishing" sets the stage for deeper investigations and revelations. Listeners can anticipate uncovering more layers of this perplexing case in the subsequent episodes, where the truth behind Johnny Altinger's disappearance and Mark Twitchell's intentions may finally come to light.

Timestamps Reference

1. 02:45 – Mark Twitchell’s passion for filmmaking
2. 12:22 – Detective Bill Clark on the scale of the investigation
3. 07:25 – Excerpt from SK Confessions
4. 08:37 – Details on Twitchell’s catfishing strategy
5. 14:19 – Detective Clark on evidence correlation
6. 11:20 – Twitchell’s fictional tactics in SK Confessions
7. 20:23 – Detective Clark’s conviction about Twitchell’s involvement
8. 18:15 – Publicity stunt theory introduction
9. 19:27 – Financial backer's perspective on Twitchell’s actions
10. 27:22 – Witness description of the hockey mask
11. 20:23 – Continued conviction by Detective Clark

This detailed summary encapsulates the essence of Episode 3, "Catfishing," providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the key points, discussions, and unresolved mysteries that drive the narrative forward.