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 Núñez, 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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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.https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/58750961/rachel-anna-bryanhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/147871800/donna-johnstonhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/93816412/annie-hardee-schmidtBoth 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.htmlhttps://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=1826593The 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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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



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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

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 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. 

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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