The holiday season is a time where some may feel lonely despite being surrounded by the holiday cheer. Some decide to seek some sort of companionship during this time to ease their feelings. Kevin Bacon, 25 year old stylist from Swartz Creek, Michigan was a beacon of light to his loved ones. In December 2019, during the holiday season he was feeling a little lonely after not having much luck in prior relationships. He decided to meet up with a contact he met on grindr on Christmas eve. But when he didn’t show to his family’s Christmas brunch the next day, everyone became immediately concerned. After reporting him missing to the authorities, his father found Kevin’s car, abandoned. Police were able to gain access to Kevins’ phone left inside the vehicle and traced his last messages to a secluded home belonging to Mark Latunski. Mark was no stranger to police but no one was prepared for the horrors they found in his basement. Latunski admitted to atrocities that shocked the small town of Swartz Creek. He would ultimately plead guilty to open murder and mutilation, sentenced to life without parole, never showing a flicker of remorse. This case reminds us that a choice for connection can unknowingly collide with another’s darkest intentions.

Sources:

“The Cannibal Killer Who Met His Victim on Grindr” by Adam Janos on A&E Crime + Investigation on December 19, 2024 (https://www.aetv.com/articles/christmas-eve-cannibal-killer)

“Latunski gets life sentence in murder and mutilation of Kevin Bacon” by Kayla Jones and Erin Bowling on WILX 10 on December 15, 2022 (https://www.wilx.com/2022/12/15/latunski-set-be-sentenced-murder-mutilation-kevin-bacon/)

“Morrice Man Charged with Murder, Mutilation” by Roberto Acosta and Cole Waterman in The Bay City Times on December 31, 2019

“Man who killed Kevin Bacon, ate his testicles, sentenced to life in prison” by The Associated Press on Fox 25 on December 15, 2022 (https://okcfox.com/news/nation-world/kevin-bacon-death-mark-latunski-grindr-mark-latunski-michigan-throat-slit-hanging-ceiling-testicles-swartz-creek-disinterment-mutiliation-matthew-stewart-parole-detroit-bennington-township)

“Shiawassee County Man Charged with Murder” by Kara Borg in The Lansing State Journal on December 31, 2019

“Grindr Murder: Could Kevin Bacon’s Death Have Been Prevented?” by Josph Jaafari on Rolling Stone on April 9, 2021 (https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/grindr-murder-kevin-bacon-mark-latunski-1148367/)

”Slain Mich. Man’s Funeral Gets Big Donaltion” by Bisma Parvez in The Detroit Free Press on December 31, 2019

“Judge finds accused murderer, cannibal Mark Latunski fit to stand trial” by WILX News 10 on WILX 10 on October 5, 2020 (https://www.wilx.com/2020/10/05/judge-finds-accused-murderer-cannibal-mark-latunski-fit-to-stand-trial-after-months-in-psychiatric-hospital/)

“Missing 25-Year-Old Man Found Dead in Shiawassee County” in The Detroit Free Press on December 30, 2019

“Swartz Creek rich in Genesee County history” by The Flint Journal on Michigan Live on April 6, 2008 (https://www.mlive.com/flintjournal/answerbook/2008/04/swartz-creek.html)

https://www.sharpfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/kevin-bacon

“Keep me Safe” on A Body in the Basement, Season 2, Episode 3 on HBOMax