Épisodes

  • Sean Vincent Gillis Part 1

    Sean Vincent Gillis Part 1
    Mar 4 2025
    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

    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

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    40 min
  • Kevin Lloyd Artz

    Kevin Lloyd Artz
    Feb 25 2025
    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.

    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
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    30 min
  • Melvin David Rees

    Melvin David Rees
    Feb 18 2025
    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



    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
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    35 min
  • Mark Scott Thornton

    Mark Scott Thornton
    Feb 12 2025
    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
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    50 min
  • Larry Keith Robison

    Larry Keith Robison
    Feb 4 2025
    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.


    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
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    30 min
  • Mark Dean Schwab and the Murder of Junny Rios Martinez

    Mark Dean Schwab and the Murder of Junny Rios Martinez
    Jan 30 2025

    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
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    38 min
  • Joachim Georg Kroll

    Joachim Georg Kroll
    Jan 21 2025
    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
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    40 min
  • Mitchell Carlton Sims and Ruby Padgett

    Mitchell Carlton Sims and Ruby Padgett
    Jan 15 2025
    In this chilling episode of Almost Fiction, we explore the violent crime spree of Mitchell Sims and Ruby Padgett, a couple whose anger and desperation led to a series of horrifying murders. From the Domino's Pizza murders in South Carolina to the shocking double homicide in California, their story reveals how personal grievances and greed spiraled into a nationwide killing spree.Join us as we dissect the motives behind their actions, the details of their crimes, and the legacy of fear they left behind. Was this a case of workplace rage taken too far, or something even darker?

    Sources:No. S004783. Jun 28, 1993. THE PEOPLE, Plaintiff and Respondent, v. MITCHELL CARLTON SIMS, Defendant and Appellant. Superior Court of Los Angeles County, No. A 591707, Jack B. Tso, Judge.United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit. - 425 F.3d 560. Mitchell Carlton Sims, Petitioner-appellant, v. Jill Brown, Warden,* Respondent-appellee.
    2 Sought in Deaths of Pizza Workers Arrested in Vegas. By David Freed - Los Angeles Times. December 26, 1985.
    ‘Lessons learned as the son of a serial killer’. By The Baptist Courier. Published on October 1, 2008. Snapped: Killer Couples. Season 7 Episode 3: Ruby Padgette and Mitchell Sims. Aired June 23, 2012.


    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



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    36 min