A summer evening walk takes a terrifying turn when a masked attacker confronts a passerby. The chilling case of Johnny Altinger unfolds, revealing unsettling connections to a filmmaker and the mystery of his disappearance. Investigators face complex challenges as they unravel emails pointing to dark truths. With critical evidence emerging in a garage linked to the film crew, tensions rise amidst a perplexing lack of leads. Suspense builds as detectives continue their relentless pursuit of answers in this gripping tale of crime and horror.
The podcast highlights the terrifying experience of Marissa and Trevor, illustrating the psychological tension in confronting a potential crime scene.
The investigation into the missing person case unveils eerie connections to filmmaker Mark Twitchell, revealing a deeper narrative of deception and intrigue.
Deep dives
The Evening Walk Turned Nightmare
An ordinary evening walk quickly turned into a terrifying experience for Marissa Gurini and her partner, Trevor Hossinger, when they encountered a man who collapsed in front of them, begging for help. The situation escalated as they perceived the presence of a man in a hockey mask, leading them to suspect they were part of a staged robbery or a sick prank. Although Marissa instinctively ran away in fear, Trevor chose to stay, grappling with uncertainty about the man’s intentions. This split response heightened the tension, ultimately leading to both individuals fleeing the scene to report the incident to the police.
The Missing Person Case of Johnny Altinger
The focus shifted to a missing person case involving Johnny Altinger, a 39-year-old oil field worker who had not been seen for weeks. His friends reported him missing after receiving strange emails claiming he was on vacation in Costa Rica with a woman named Jen, whom he had met online. The detectives initially remained skeptical about the case, acknowledging the commonality of missing person cases in Edmonton that often resolve without foul play. However, as the investigation unfolded, the details began to point towards something more sinister.
Investigating Mark Twitchell's Garage
Attention turned to a garage rented by independent filmmaker Mark Twitchell, where police believed Johnny Altinger might have been headed for his date with Jen. Upon closer inspection, officers found it odd that Twitchell's garage had been locked when they attempted to search it, raising suspicions about his involvement. This prompted detectives to probe further, particularly after discovering that Twitchell had recently purchased a red Mazda, which had belonged to Altinger. The connection between the missing man and the filmmaker escalated the urgency of the investigation, leading to growing concern for Altinger’s fate.
Hey Dateline fans! As a bonus, we’re giving you episode 1 of our new podcast series, The Man in the Black Mask. It’s the story of a rising young director shooting a frightening film about a serial killer in a hockey mask. But when a man goes missing near the set, a real-life horror story unfolds…
If you like what you hear, just search The Man in the Black Mask to listen to the first two episodes now, completely free. Or, subscribe to Dateline Premium on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or DatelinePremium.com. Subscribers get early access to new episodes and can listen to all Dateline podcasts ad-free.
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