Almost Fiction

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.

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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. 



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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/


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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.


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Julie Corey had already had 5 children and had full custody of none of them. The 35 year old woman could feel the pressure of time, and was making one last chance to start a family, one that hopefully this time, she could keep. But sometimes, fate just has other plans. 

Sources: 

COMMONWEALTH vs. JULIE A. COREY. SJC-12100. Worcester. December 8, 2023. 

Julie Corey sobs as jury finds her guilty of first-degree murder in Worcester fetal abduction case. By John F. Hill - MassLive.com. February 12, 2014.

Julie Corey fetal abduction trial: Defense rests, Corey doesn't take stand. By John F. Hill For MassLive.com. February 10, 2014.

Closing arguments will be made Tuesday Feb. 11, 2014 in the Julie Corey fetal abduction murder trial, after the defense wrapped up its case Monday.

Julie Corey trial: 11 things we learned in the first week. By John F. Hill For MassLive.com. February 3, 2014.

Family believed baby cut from womb was theirs. Relatives of kidnapping suspect's boyfriend even held party for child's birth. NBCnews.com. July 31, 2009.

Top Massachusetts court reinstates first-degree murder conviction in cut-from-womb killing. By Phil Tenser for wcvb.com. March 18, 2024. 

Court reinstates first-degree murder conviction for woman who killed former neighbor, ripped baby from womb. By David Harris for LawAndCrime.com. March 18, 2024.

Ramon Jay Rogers was a nice guy. He grew up in a strange environment, but by all outward appearances he was well adjusted, polite, and well liked. Until he killed his best friend, and everything just seemed to spiral out of control. 

Sources:
https://murderpedia.org/male.R/r/rogers-ramon-jay.htm#google_vignette
People V. Rogers (2009). Supreme Court of California. No. S064337. Decided July 6, 2009. 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramon_Rogers
State court upholds death sentence for actor in mid-1990s murders. By San Diego Tribune. For their website. August 29, 2016. 


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From the outside, it appeared as if Veronica Paz desperately missed high school. She missed the social aspect, the drama, and most importantly… the boys. For his part, Brandon Perry would have probably done just about anything for his high school sweetheart, Veronica, and she was about to put that devotion to the test.

Sources:
3 More Arrested in Killing of O.C. High School Wrestler By David Reyes, H.G. Reza And Daniel Hernandez. November 15, 2003 for the LA TIMES.
Timeline. By Larry Welborn, The Orange County Register.
The People v. Veronica Paz, No. 03CF3338. Court of Appeals. 
3 More Arrested in Killing of O.C. High School Wrestler By David Reyes, H.G. Reza And Daniel Hernandez. November 15, 2003 for the LA TIMES.
A Love Triangle Leads To The Slaying Of An OC Teen Wrestling Champion by Joe Dziemianowicz December 27, 2021 for Oxygen.com.
Guilty verdict in love-triangle killing. Veronica Paz is convicted of first-degree murder in the death of her 17-year-old former beau. She faces a mandatory 25 years to life. By Larry Welborn. The Orange County Register. Tuesday, August 29, 2006.
Snapped: She Made Me Do It. Veronica Paz. Season 1, Episode 4. Oxygen Network. Aired September 30, 2015.


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