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  • In May 2013, 17-year-old Georgia Williams vanished after telling her parents she was helping a friend with a photo shoot. That friend was Jamie Reynolds, a boy with a hidden obsession, a disturbing past, and a plan he had written in horrifying detail years before.

    This episode explores the chilling case of Georgia Williams’s murder, the warning signs authorities ignored, and the predator hiding in plain sight.

    With exclusive insight, narrative depth, and haunting detail, we expose the cracks in the system that allowed a known threat to escalate into tragedy.

    Sources:

    https://www.peacocktv.com/watch-online/tv/worlds-most-evil-killers/6655699059636331112/seasons/6/episodes/jamie-reynolds-episode-2/e7974646-335a-3892-ba8a-7e0386e3b62d

    Judiciary of England and Wales: In the Crown Court at Stafford. The Queen v Jamie Reynolds: Sentencing Remarks. December 19, 2013. https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/JCO/Documents/Judgments/r-v-jamie-reynolds.pdf.

    Georgia Williams murder: 'Sexual deviant' Jamie Reynolds jailed for life after luring teenager to his home and hanging her. By Richard Vernalls for Independent.co.uk. December 20, 2013.

    'I cry endlessly from morning to night... we have been damned by evil to endure this misery to the end of our lives': Agony of father of murdered teenager Georgia Williams as her killer is jailed for life. By James Rushand Lucy Crossley - DailyMail.co.uk. December 19, 2013.

    Jamie Reynolds took photos of himself killing Georgia Williams, court hears. By Hayley Dixon for Telegraph.co.uk. December 2, 2013.

    Jamie Reynolds charged with murder of Georgia Williams. Telegraph.co.uk. June 1, 2013.

    Fears are growing for the safety of Georgia Williams, the missing 17-year-old daughter of a police officer, after a man whom she rejected on Valentine’s Day was arrested. By Nick Britten For Telegraph.co.uk. May 29, 2013.

    Jamie Reynolds: Sex fantasy led to Georgia Williams murder. No Author Noted for BBC.com. October 14, 2015. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-34475373.

    Timeline: Georgia Williams murder. No Author Noted for BBC.com. October 14, 2015. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-shropshire-25137700.

    Georgia Williams: killer had been cautioned after similar attack. By Steven Morris for TheGuardian.com. October 15, 2015.

    Georgia Williams: police admit failing murdered 17-year-old: Serious case review finds 'shortfalls' in investigation of killer's previous offence by The Week Staff for TheWeek.com. October 14, 2015. https://theweek.com/56615/georgia-williams-police-admit-failing-murdered-17-year-old.

  • In this gripping true crime episode, we investigate the haunting case of Nathan Ybanez, a 16-year-old who murdered his mother after years of alleged abuse. This deeply emotional story examines how a system meant to protect children failed repeatedly, leading to tragic consequences.

    Featuring exclusive details about Nathan's troubled childhood, his desperate calls for help, and the controversial trial that sent a teenager to prison for life, this episode challenges everything we think we know about juvenile justice, from the inadequate legal defense to the ignored warning signs, we uncover how multiple institutions failed to prevent this tragedy.

    Join us for this powerful examination of abuse, justice, and redemption that has captivated true crime audiences and sparked crucial debates about juvenile sentencing reform.

    Sources:

    Scars of abuse concealed. By Miles Moffeit for DenverPost.com. October 28, 2006.

    https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/whenkidsgetlife/five/nateerik.html

    Journal entry from Nathan Ybanez. RocktMountainNews.com. September 20, 2005.

    New trial sought for teen who killed mom. By Miles Moffeit For DenverPost.com. May 7, 2016. https://www.denverpost.com/2007/08/27/new-trial-sought-for-teen-who-killed-mom/.

    'Thankful For The Opportunity': Erik Jensen Ready For Second Chance After Being Released From Prison. Author not noted for CBSNews.com. March 5, 2020.

    https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/erik-jensen-nathan-ybanez-prison-sentence-jared-polis/.

    Prison theatre: Finding freedom and purpose in the power of making art. By John Moore for Denver Centre of the Performing Arts. September 16, 2019. https://www.denvercenter.org/news-center/prison-theatre-finding-freedom-power-purpose-making-art/.


    In this gripping true crime episode, we investigate the haunting case of Nathan Ybanez, a 16-year-old who murdered his mother after years of alleged abuse. This deeply emotional story examines how a system meant to protect children failed repeatedly, leading to tragic consequences.

    Featuring exclusive details about Nathan's troubled childhood, his desperate calls for help, and the controversial trial that sent a teenager to prison for life, this episode challenges everything we think we know about juvenile justice, from the inadequate legal defense to the ignored warning signs, we uncover how multiple institutions failed to prevent this tragedy.

    Join us for this powerful examination of abuse, justice, and redemption that has captivated true crime audiences and sparked crucial debates about juvenile sentencing reform.

    Sources:

    Scars of abuse concealed. By Miles Moffeit for DenverPost.com. October 28, 2006.

    https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/whenkidsgetlife/five/nateerik.html

    Journal entry from Nathan Ybanez. RocktMountainNews.com. September 20, 2005.

    New trial sought for teen who killed mom. By Miles Moffeit For DenverPost.com. May 7, 2016. https://www.denverpost.com/2007/08/27/new-trial-sought-for-teen-who-killed-mom/.

    'Thankful For The Opportunity': Erik Jensen Ready For Second Chance After Being Released From Prison. Author not noted for CBSNews.com. March 5, 2020.

    https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/erik-jensen-nathan-ybanez-prison-sentence-jared-polis/.

    Prison theatre: Finding freedom and purpose in the power of making art. By John Moore for Denver Centre of the Performing Arts. September 16, 2019. https://www.denvercenter.org/news-center/prison-theatre-finding-freedom-power-purpose-making-art/.

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  • In 2012, Celeste Fronsman was abducted, tortured, and burned alive in rural Ohio. Her killers? People she thought were her friends. In this episode of Almost Fiction, we explore the dark world of addiction, abuse, and betrayal, and how Celeste’s final words helped solve her own murder.

    Sources:

    Lafonse Dixon v. Warden Richland Correctional Institution. Case NO. 2:16-CV-0251-EAS-KAJ. Filed November 21, 2016. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-ohsd-2_16-cv-00251/pdf/USCOURTS-ohsd-2_16-cv-00251-0.pdf.

    Those responsible for Celeste Fronsman's death serving life. By Kate Snyder for ZanesvilleTimesRecorder.com. September 14, 2017. https://www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/story/news/local/2017/09/14/those-responsible-celeste-fronsmans-death-serving-life/662198001/.

    Culberson to be sentenced in Fronsman murder. By Ed Balint for TimesReporter.com. November 5, 2013. https://www.timesreporter.com/story/news/local/canton/2013/11/06/culberson-to-be-sentenced-in/41981635007/.

    Former lover gets life sentence for Canton woman's burning death. By Eric Lyttle for The Columbus Dispatch. November 7, 2013. https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/crime/2013/11/06/former-lover-gets-life-sentence/23746132007/.

    Ohio Man Guilty of Setting Woman Ablaze. Author not noted for The Columbus Dispatch. October 16, 2013. https://www.firehouse.com/home/news/11192998/ohio-man-facing-death-penalty-for-burning-woman.

    5 years later: Celeste Fronsman murder case stays with officials. By Kate Snyder for ZanesvilleTimesRecorder.com. September 15, 2017. https://www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/story/news/local/2017/09/14/5-years-later-celeste-fronsman-murder-case-stays-investigators/626693001/.

    Celeste Fronsman Murder: LaFonse Dixon sentenced to life in prison in death of Ohio woman who was beaten and burned. By Crimesider Staff for CBSnews.com. November 4, 2013. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/celeste-fronsman-murder-lafonse-dixon-sentenced-to-life-in-prison-in-death-of-ohio-woman-who-was-beaten-and-burned/.

    Fronsman investigation unique for Muskingum. By Ed Balint for CantonRep.com. November 9, 2013. November 9, 2013.

    Woman sentenced to life for Fronsman burning death. Author not Noted for CoshoctonTribune.com. November 7, 2013.

    Canton woman pleads guilty to murder in Fronsman death. By Kathy Thompson for ZanesvilleTimesRecorder.com. September 27, 2012.

  • In the shocking conclusion of our three-part true crime series, we uncover the final days of Charles William Yukl, a manipulative killer whose parole failure led to a second brutal murder in 1970s New York City.

    After convincing the system he was rehabilitated, Yukl lured an aspiring actress to his apartment under the pretense of casting her in a fake film.

    What followed was a horrific repeat of his first crime, strangulation, assault, and deception, all while hiding in plain sight.

    With disturbing psychological insights and haunting survivor accounts, this episode dives deep into the failures of parole boards, psychiatric oversight, and the criminal justice system.

    It’s a devastating reminder of what happens when dangerous people are given a second chance, and how the system too often listens to the wrong voices.

    Sources:

    https://www.nytimes.com/1974/08/25/archives/-village-slaying-laid-to-paroled-killer.html

    https://case-law.vlex.com/vid/people-v-yukl-893896295

    https://www.nytimes.com/1974/09/03/archives/sexslaying-case-posing-questions-to-justice-system-sexslaying-case.html

    https://mail.murderpedia.org/male.Y/y/yukl-charles.htm

    https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/spontaneous_exclamation

    Tanenbaum, Robert K., and Peter S. Greenberg. The Piano Teacher: The True Story of a Psychotic Killer. eBook ed., Simon and Schuster, 1987.

  • In Part 2 of our deep dive into the life of Charles William Yukl, we explore the years that followed his shocking manslaughter conviction.

    After serving just a portion of his time, Yukl was released on parole, and what happened next is a chilling reminder of how the justice system can fail.

    Set in 1970s Manhattan, this episode traces Yukl’s disturbing reentry into society: his fake credentials, psychological manipulation, therapy sessions, and how he infiltrated New York’s struggling artist scene under the guise of casting a fake film.

    And as he lured aspiring actresses with false promises of stardom, Yukl’s violent urges and delusions began to resurface, all while he presented himself as a rehabilitated model citizen.

    Featuring firsthand details from The Piano Teacher: The True Story of a Psychotic Killer, this is a story of deception, danger, and missed red flags. If you're into true crime, serial killers, parole system failures, and 1970s New York noir, this is an episode you won’t forget.

  • In this chilling episode of Almost Fiction, we begin the disturbing story of Charles William Yukl, a classically trained pianist, teacher, and, ultimately
 convicted killer.

    From his troubled upbringing and intense musical training to his years of hidden darkness, we uncover how a seemingly mild-mannered man led a double life.

    Based heavily on the book The Piano Teacher by Robert K. Tanenbaum and Robert Greenberg, this episode dives deep into Yukl’s past, his manipulations, and the brutal 1966 murder of Suzanne Reynolds. It’s a terrifying portrait of depravity hiding under a mask of weakness.

    Sources:

    https://www.nytimes.com/1974/08/25/archives/-village-slaying-laid-to-paroled-killer.html

    https://case-law.vlex.com/vid/people-v-yukl-893896295

    https://www.nytimes.com/1974/09/03/archives/sexslaying-case-posing-questions-to-justice-system-sexslaying-case.html

    https://mail.murderpedia.org/male.Y/y/yukl-charles.htm

    https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/spontaneous_exclamation

    Tanenbaum, Robert K., and Peter S. Greenberg. The Piano Teacher: The True Story of a Psychotic Killer. eBook ed., Simon and Schuster, 1987.

  • In this gripping episode of Almost Fiction, we dig into one of the strangest true crime cases in American history, the disappearance and murder of Madalyn Murray O’Hair, the woman once dubbed “The Most Hated Woman in America.”

    From her rise as an infamous atheist activist to her mysterious vanishing in 1995, this story is steeped in ideology, betrayal, greed, and ultimately, tragedy.

    We follow the twisted path of David Roland Waters, an ex-con turned office manager at American Atheists, whose dark past and vengeful motives led to one of the most chilling crimes of the ‘90s.

    With extortion schemes, missing gold, mutilated bodies, and a multi-year-long investigation that finally unearthed the truth, this is a story that sounds too wild to be real, until you realize every word of it
 is true.

    Sources:

    The Atheists' Cold Case Gets Warmer, By Paul Duggan. Washington Post Staff Writer

    Monday, August 16, 1999.

    Mysterious Disappearance of Madalyn Murray O'Hair By Tori Richards for TruTV.com

    Wikipedia page for Madalyn Murray O’Hair. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madalyn_Murray_O%27Hair

    O'Hair death mastermind dies in prison, SAN ANTONIO NEWS. By John MacCormack. March 21, 2017.

    Murderpedia.org David Roland Waters.

  • In this gripping true crime episode, we uncover the horrifying story of serial killer Anthony Edward Sowell, also known as the Cleveland Strangler. Between 2007 and 2009, Sowell lured vulnerable women to his Cleveland home, where he committed unspeakable acts of violence. We trace his troubled childhood, disturbing behavior, and the systemic failures that allowed him to evade justice for so long. Featuring survivor accounts, court details, and the tragic stories of the 11 women whose lives were taken, this deep-dive exposes the chilling reality of one of America's most shocking serial murder cases.
    Sources:The road to Imperial Avenue. By Tony Brown and Joe Guillen for The Plain Dealer. January 24, 2010. State v. Sowell, 148 Ohio St.3d 554, 2016-Ohio-8025. 2016. Cleveland serial killer Anthony Sowell dies in prison. By Deanna Hackney and Jason Hanna for CNN. Tuesday February 9, 2021. https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/09/us/anthony-sowell-cleveland-serial-killer-dies-trnd/index.html.The Victims of Anthony Sowell, the Cleveland Strangler. By Crystal Ponti for A&E. September 23, 2021. https://www.aetv.com/real-crime/anthony-sowell-victimsAnthony Sowell, Serial Killer Who Terrorized Cleveland, Dies at 61. By Neil Vigdor for NY Times.com. February 9, 2021. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/09/us/anthony-sowell-serial-killer-dead.html.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_SowellSerial killer Sowell's family testify he was abused. By Kim Palmer for Reuters. August 2, 2011. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-crime-sowell-idUSTRE7715ZF20110802/. Serial killer Anthony Sowell began raping niece when both were children, witness testifies. By Leila Atassi for Cleveland.com. August 2, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20171014084027/http://www.cleveland.com/anthony-sowell/index.ssf/2011/08/serial_killer_anthony_sowell_began_raping_niece_when_both_were_children_witness_testifies.html. Anthony Sowell was considered unlikely to attack again in 2005 evaluation. By Gabriel Baird for The Plain Dealer. November 6, 2009. https://www.cleveland.com/metro/2009/11/anthony_sowell_was_considered.html.
    Cleveland to demolish serial killer’s home. By Maggie Schneider for CNN. December 5, 2011. Death Row Drawings: Sowell’s Controversial Artwork is Selling. By Kevin Freeman for Fox 8 News. November 13, 2012.

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  • Richard Paul White’s life was filled with violence, fear, and manipulation—but did his past shape him into a serial predator, or was the evil already inside him? This episode of Almost Fiction explores the disturbing transformation of a man who claimed demons made him kill.

    Sources:

    I Am a Killer: Richard Paul White. By SE King for MorningCoffeeandCrime.com. March 27, 2023.

    Killers’ Families Left to Confront Fear and Shame. By Serge F. Kovaleski. Feb. 4, 2012.

    https://www.investigationdiscovery.com/video/evil-lives-here-investigation-discovery/my-brothers-secret

    https://www.peacocktv.com/watch/asset/tv/i-lived-with-a-killer/6072212492067750112?orig_ref=https://www.google.com/

    11:59 Media has made a big (risky) change.

    No more $18 VIP pricing. For $5, supporters get everything we have to offer - every podcast, live backdoor access to watch us record, video episodes, uncut episodes, all of our PLUS podcasts, early and ad-free, and more. Support 11:59 Media’s vision to build our great creators. Visit ⁠11:59 Media on Patreon⁠ https://patreon.com/1159media to sign up now. Start your support, and access everything you’ve been missing.

  • Mauricio Rodriguez Silva's life was a constant struggle—abandoned, abused, and cast aside at every turn. But did his tragic childhood create a monster, or was he always destined for violence? This episode of Almost Fiction unravels the disturbing life and crimes of a man who could have been saved
 but wasn’t.

    Sources:

    PEOPLE v. SILVA. Supreme Court of California. No. S004727. April 30, 2001. https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/ca-supreme-court/1072397.html

    Portrait of ‘The Monster’ on Death Row By Claudia NĂșñez, Translated by Elena Shore for New America Media. January 4, 2011.

    Parolee pleads innocent to triple-murder charges. The San Bernardino County Sun. Fri, Jun 1, 1984. Page 10. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-parolee-pl/100605415/.

    Wanted in 3 slayings, man turns himself in. By Bill Schlotter for The Tribune. San Luis Obispo, California. Tue, May 29, 1984. Page 1. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tribune-mauricio-silva/104446223/

    Parolee Found Guilty of Murdering 3 Teens. By Robert W. Stewart for The Los Angeles Times. Thursday April 18, 1985. Page 137https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-mauricio-silva/104446083/

    No Break for Teen Slay Suspect. The Napa Valley Register. Sat, Sep 29, 1984. Page 4.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-napa-valley-register-mauricio-silva/104446101/

    Killer’s Jury Deadlocks on Death Penalty By Paul Feldman for the Los Angeles Times. Friday July 26, 1985.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-mauricio-silva/104446120/

    Silva to Face Sentencing Re-trial. By Tim O’Leary for The Lompoc Record. Wednesday August 21, 1985. Page 3.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-lompoc-record-mauricio-silva/104446206/

    Jury Votes Death for Killer of Three Teen-Agers. By Terry Pristin for The Los Angeles Times. Thursday May 29, 1986. Page 41. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-silva/76785682/

    Death Penalty Nullified for Killer. By Ana Beatriz Cholo for The Los Angeles Times. Tuesday May 1, 2001. Page 20. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-mauricio-silva/104446159/

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauricio_Silva_(serial_killer)

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  • What happens when a predator lurks in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to strike? This episode of Almost Fiction delves into the dark and disturbing case of Thomas Whisenhant, a killer whose crimes haunted Alabama for decades. Join us as we unravel the chilling details of his past, the investigation that led to his capture, and the twisted psychology behind his horrific acts.

    Sources:

    Whisenhant v. State. 370 So.2d 1080 (Ala.Cr.App.). (Direct Appeal). 1979.

    THOMAS WARREN WHISENHANT v RICHARD F. ALLEN. No. 04-15810. Docket No. 02-00397-CV-WS-C. February 3, 2009.

    Thomas Whisenhant executed for 1976 kidnapping, rape and murder. By Brendan Kirby for Al.com. May 27, 2010.

    A lifetime on death row: Thomas Warren Whisenhant was murderous mama's boy. By Gary McElroy or Brendan Kirby for Al.com. October 06, 2002.

    Inmate executed after 32 years on death row. By Bob Johnson for MontgomeryAdvertiser.com. Associated Press. May 28, 2010.

    Thomas Whisenhant: Serial killer executed for murdering 3 Mobile women. By Summer Poole for WKRG 5 News. January 7, 2023. https://www.wkrg.com/true-crime/thomas-whisenhant-serial-killer-executed-for-murdering-3-mobile-women/.

    Thomas Warren WHISENHANT v. STATE. Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals. 370 So.2d 1080. 20 February 1979.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Whisenhant

    Thomas Whisenhant executed for 1976 kidnapping, Rape and Murder. By Brendan Kirby for AL.com. May 27, 2010.

    A lifetime on death row: Thomas Warren Whisenhant was murderous mama's boy. By Gary McElroy for AL.com. October 6, 2002. https://www.al.com/live/2002/10/whisenhant.html.

    http://www.clarkprosecutor.org/html/death/US/whisenhant1212.htm

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    No more $18 VIP pricing. For $5, supporters get everything we have to offer - every podcast, live backdoor access to watch us record, video episodes, uncut episodes, all of our PLUS podcasts, early and ad-free, and more. Support 11:59 Media’s vision to build our great creators. Visit ⁠11:59 Media on Patreon⁠ https://patreon.com/1159media to sign up now. Start your support, and access everything you’ve been missing.

  • Justice is served, or is it? In the chilling conclusion to our Sean Vincent Gillis series, we explore his final crimes, the investigation that finally brought him down, and the disturbing details of his confessions. From his shocking courtroom antics to the families seeking closure, this episode uncovers the twisted mind of a man who evaded capture for years. Did the system truly hold him accountable? Or did his victims deserve more?Tune in for the gripping finale on Almost Fiction. SOURCES: Mustafa, Susan D.; Israel, Sue. Dismembered. Kindle Edition. Pinnacle Books. 2011.

    Both sides give reaction to Gillis sentencing. By Jim Shannon for

    . August 28, 2008.

    ‘I Would Do It Again’: Inside The Sickening Crimes Of Baton Rouge Serial Killer Sean Vincent Gillis. By William DeLong for All That’s

    . Edited by John Kuroski. October 27, 2024.

    The Devil You Know: Episode A Twisted Mind. Investigation Discovery. 2011. Living With a Serial Killer, The Disturbing Case of Sean Vincent Gillis. Law and Crime Network.

    11:59 Media has made a big (risky) change.

    No more $18 VIP pricing. For $5, supporters get everything we have to offer - every podcast, live backdoor access to watch us record, video episodes, uncut episodes, all of our PLUS podcasts, early and ad-free, and more. Support 11:59 Media’s vision to build our great creators. Visit ⁠11:59 Media on Patreon⁠ https://patreon.com/1159media to sign up now. Start your support, and access everything you’ve been missing.

  • The darkness continues. In Part 2 of our deep dive into Sean Vincent Gillis, we explore the gruesome evolution of his crimes, his twisted obsessions, and the investigation that struggled to catch up. As police search for answers, Gillis remains in the shadows—watching, waiting, and perfecting his horrifying craft. What drove him deeper into depravity? And how did he evade capture for so long?

    Tune in for the chilling continuation of this case on Almost Fiction.

    SOURCES:

    Mustafa, Susan D.; Israel, Sue. Dismembered. Kindle Edition. Pinnacle Books. 2011.

    https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/58750961/rachel-anna-bryan

    https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/147871800/donna-johnston

    https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/93816412/annie-hardee-schmidt

    Both sides give reaction to Gillis sentencing. By Jim Shannon for WAFB.com. August 28, 2008.

    https://www.wafb.com/story/2421873/prosecutors-plan-to-use-letters-video-against-gillis/

    https://web.archive.org/web/20121111151219/http://blogs.discovery.com/bizarre/2008/07/baton-rouge-ser.html

    https://www.wafb.com/story/5354384/judge-gillis-jury-can-see-confession-letters/

    ‘I Would Do It Again’: Inside The Sickening Crimes Of Baton Rouge Serial Killer Sean Vincent Gillis. By William DeLong for All That’s Interesting.com. Edited by John Kuroski. October 27, 2024.

    https://web.archive.org/web/20160303234819/http://www.wafb.com/Global/story.asp?s=1826593

    The Devil You Know: Episode A Twisted Mind. Investigation Discovery. 2011.

    Living With a Serial Killer, The Disturbing Case of Sean Vincent Gillis. Law and Crime Network. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paQHOEPshso

    11:59 Media has made a big (risky) change.

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  • A quiet Louisiana neighborhood. A troubled past. A gruesome discovery.

    In this chilling episode of Almost Fiction, we unravel the disturbing origins of Sean Vincent Gillis, a seemingly ordinary man with a dark secret.
    From a childhood shaped by instability to a life spiraling into depravity, we explore the events that led to one of Baton Rouge’s most terrifying crimes. What drives someone to cross the line between fantasy and horror? And who, if anyone, saw the warning signs?

    Listen now for a gripping deep dive into a mind consumed by darkness.



    SOURCES:

    Mustafa, Susan D.; Israel, Sue. Dismembered. Kindle Edition. Pinnacle Books. 2011.

    https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/58750961/rachel-anna-bryan

    https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/147871800/donna-johnston

    https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/93816412/annie-hardee-schmidt

    Both sides give reaction to Gillis sentencing. By Jim Shannon for WAFB.com. August 28, 2008.

    https://www.wafb.com/story/2421873/prosecutors-plan-to-use-letters-video-against-gillis/

    https://web.archive.org/web/20121111151219/http://blogs.discovery.com/bizarre/2008/07/baton-rouge-ser.html

    https://www.wafb.com/story/5354384/judge-gillis-jury-can-see-confession-letters/

    ‘I Would Do It Again’: Inside The Sickening Crimes Of Baton Rouge Serial Killer Sean Vincent Gillis. By William DeLong for All That’s Interesting.com. Edited by John Kuroski. October 27, 2024.

    https://web.archive.org/web/20160303234819/http://www.wafb.com/Global/story.asp?s=1826593

    The Devil You Know: Episode A Twisted Mind. Investigation Discovery. 2011.

    Living With a Serial Killer, The Disturbing Case of Sean Vincent Gillis. Law and Crime Network. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paQHOEPshso

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  • In this episode of Almost Fiction, we delve into the bizarre and horrifying case of Kevin Lloyd Artz, infamously known as the "Deep Fry Killer." What begins as a story of a seemingly ordinary man takes a dark turn into a tale of obsession, crime, and culinary horror.

    Join us as we piece together the unsettling puzzle of a man whose crimes shocked a community and earned him a macabre nickname that still haunts true crime enthusiasts. What drove Artz to such extremes, and could he have been stopped before it was too late?

    Tune in for a journey into one of the most unique and disturbing cases we’ve covered yet.

    Subscribe now and don’t miss the newest episode of Almost Fiction.



    Sources:

    PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN, Plaintiff-Appellee, v KEVIN LLOYD ARTZ, Defendant-Appellant. No. 233471. Jackson Circuit Court. LC No. 00-000647-FC. 2003.

    Kevin Artz v. Paul Klee, No. 14-2035 (6th Cir. 2016) https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/ca6/14-2035/14-2035-2016-03-11.html

    The Disturbing Story of the "Deep-Fry Killer" Kevin Artz. By Jessika M. Thomas for ranker.com. September 18, 2018.

    https://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/2016/03/man_who_bludgeoned_wife_to_dea.html

    Heartland Homicide Season 1 Episode 3: Patricia Artz. Aired April 29, 2022.

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  • A talented jazz musician with a mysterious past.

    Melvin David Rees captivated audiences with his haunting melodies and effortless skill, but behind the stage lights and smoky jazz clubs lurked something far darker. A man of intelligence, charm, and discipline. A man who lived two lives: one in the spotlight, and one in the shadows.

    From his time as a military musician in Europe to his nights playing in dimly lit clubs around Washington, D.C., Rees moved through life unnoticed, well
 until the crimes began. A brutal murder on the side of the road. A family vanishing into the night. A shack filled with disturbing photographs. And a cryptic note that would finally expose him for what he was.



    Sources:

    Melvin Davis Rees, Jr., Appellant, v. C. C. Peyton, Superintendent of the Virginia State Penitentiary, Appellee, 341 F.2d 859 (4th Cir. 1965). https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F2/341/859/380776/.


    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melvin_Rees


    Melvin Rees - The Sex Beast. By Katherine Ramsland for Crime Library: Criminal Minds and Methods. https://www.crimelibrary.org/serial_killers/predators/melvin_rees/13.html


    https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/a-serial-killer-preys-upon-a-woman-out-for-a-drive



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  • In 1993, a stolen car, a desperate plan, and a shattered life set the stage for one of California’s most disturbing crimes. Mark Scott Thornton had always struggled to find his place in the world—but when his obsession spiraled out of control, the result was abduction, murder, and a reckless attempt to outrun justice. Decades later, the echoes of his crimes still haunt those left behind. But in a shocking twist, one voice from the past is fighting to save the man who destroyed his family.




    Sources:



    PEOPLE v. THORNTON. Supreme Court of California. No. S046816. June 28, 2007. https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/ca-supreme-court/1216732.html



    Death Penalty Information Center (2024, September 25). VICTIMS: 20 Years After Urging Death Sentence, Man Seeks to Save His Mother’s Killer. Retrieved December 7, 2024 from https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/victims-20-years-after-urging-death-sentence-man-seeks-to-save-his-mothers-killer



    Thornton Sentenced to Death in Murder of Westlake Nurse : Judge Charles McGrath issues the decision after hearing the victim’s 6-year-old son describe the pain he’s suffered since his mother’s slaying. By Dwayne Bray for LATimes.com. May 16, 1995.



    Save the life of your mother's murderer? He would. By Jessica Bliss for TheTennessean.com. May 15, 2015.

    Access ad-free episodes, bonus content, and get all of the 11:59 Media Podcast library!Access hours of extra content each week, exclusive merch, and early access to new podcasts.Visit https://1159plus.com or https://www.patreon.com/1159media

  • What happens when reality shatters? When paranoia and delusion take hold, twisting a mind beyond recognition?
    In this harrowing episode of Almost Fiction, we uncover the chilling case of Larry Keith Robison—a man battling schizophrenia, abandoned by the system, and left to spiral into unthinkable violence. Diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia yet denied proper treatment, Robison’s descent into madness led to one of Texas’s most brutal mass murders.
    💡 In this episode, we explore:
    The warning signs leading up to the massacre.How repeated institutional failures allowed a ticking time bomb to go unchecked.The debate: Was he a victim of his illness, or was something more sinister at play?The justice system’s ultimate decision—execution or treatment?This is a story of mental illness, systemic neglect, and the devastating consequences of a world unprepared to handle either. Was Larry Keith Robison a man in need of help or a remorseless killer? You decide.
    🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform.


    Sources:
    The Lost Boy Scout. By Marego Athans For The Baltimore Sun. October 2, 1999.
    We Became the Parents of a Mass Murderer; Mother Asks Mercy. By Robert Anthony Phillips For APBNews Online.
    A Family's Shame: A Killer in the Family. By David Kohn for CBSNews.com. July 3, 2000.
    Abolish Archives. 01-21-00 - TEXAS: (impending execution) from Murderpedia.org.
    MEDIA ADVISORY: LARRY KEITH ROBISON SCHEDULED TO BE EXECUTED. Texas Attorney General. Thursday, January 20, 2000
    Tragedy compounded: Killers' parents become instant pariahs. By JoNel Aleccia for NBCNews.com. July 25, 2012.
    https://www.txexecutions.org/reports/203-Larry-Robison.htm
    Execution Report: Larry Robison. By David Carson for TXexecutions.com. August 3, 2002.


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  • In this heart-wrenching episode of Almost Fiction, we examine the harrowing case of Mark Dean Schwab and his horrifying crimes against 11-year-old Junny Rios-Martinez. What began as an act of manipulation spiraled into a tragedy that shook an entire community.
    This is a story of unimaginable loss, but also one of resilience, as Junny’s family worked tirelessly to ensure his legacy would spark change. Join us as we navigate the complexities of this case, from the psychology of the predator to the justice system’s ultimate response.



    Sources:
    Schwab v. Crosby, 451 F.3d 1308 (11th Cir. 2006)
    SUPREME COURT OF FLORIDA: Mark Dean Schwab v. State of Florida. Case No. SC07-2138.
    Supreme Court of Florida: Mark Dean Schwab v. State of Florida. Case No. SC97008.
    SUPREME COURT OF FLORIDA: Mark Dean Schwab v. State of Florida. Case No. 97,008.
    SUPREME COURT OF FLORIDA. MARK DEAN SCHWAB v. STATE OF FLORIDA. Case No. SC07-1603. November 1, 2007.
    http://www.clarkprosecutor.org/html/death/US/schwab1109.htm
    Timeline Of The Mark Schwab Case. CFNews13.com. July 01, 2008.
    Florida executes child killer. By Ron Word for the Miami Herald. July, 2008.
    Schwab v. Crosby, 451 F.3d 1308 (11th Cir. 2006)
    Remembering Junny Rios-Martinez, who would have turned 42 this week. By John A. Torres for FloridaToday.com. April 30, 2001.



    Access ad-free episodes, bonus content, and get all of the 11:59 Media Podcast library!Access hours of extra content each week, exclusive merch, and early access to new podcasts.Visit https://1159plus.com or https://www.patreon.com/1159media

  • In this chilling episode of Almost Fiction, we uncover the twisted story of Joachim Georg Kroll, infamously known as "The Cannibal of Ruhr."
    For over two decades, Kroll preyed on unsuspecting victims across West Germany, leaving a trail of horror and confusion.
    We delve into the dark psychology behind his crimes, from his unsettling methods of victim selection to his shocking motive for cannibalism, a reason as cold and practical as it is horrifying.
    Join us as we unravel how police were misled by false accusations, leading to wrongful arrests and even suicides.
    What made Kroll evade justice for so long, and how did his crimes finally come to light? This is one story where the truth is more haunting than fiction.

    Sources:
    Worlds Most Evil Serial Killers: Joachim Kroll. Season 1 Episode 16. Pluto.Tv. https://pluto.tv/us/on-demand/series/60b6a6b7a9f076001a55629c/season/1/episode/60b8f0924db0eb0013b71abe.

    How Cannibal Serial Killer Joachim Kroll Got Caught After Clogging His Toilet With Guts. By John Kuroski for All That’s Interesting.com. Published July 16, 2020. Updated May 30, 2024. https://allthatsinteresting.com/joachim-kroll.

    https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15125197/joachim-georg-kroll

    https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/hitler-youth-2

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joachim_Kroll

    https://cvltnation.com/europes-cannibal-killer-joachim-kroll/


    Access ad-free episodes, bonus content, and get all of the 11:59 Media Podcast library!Access hours of extra content each week, exclusive merch, and early access to new podcasts.Visit https://1159plus.com or https://www.patreon.com/1159media