Multiple Faces Detected
January 21st, 2026
Spoiler alert: Do not read this story directly before going on a date or falling asleep. If you’ve ever worried about the safety of online dating, this tale of murder will fan those flames of fear! It is proof that any one of us could end up meeting someone who isn’t who they claim to be and put ourselves at risk.
Unlike crimes in the fictional television show, “Law and Order”, this story of aspiring filmmaker Mark Twitchell is eery, creepy, and true. Worst of all, by the time Mark Twitchell was done with his “Plenty of Fish” dates, one man was almost killed, and the other didn’t survive.
Mark Twitchell Biography
Mark Twitchell is a Canadian man whose story attracted a lot of attention, as it was alleged that he was inspired by the fictional murderer, Dexter Morgan, a character in the television show “Dexter”. Although Twitchell originally wanted to make blockbuster movies, his violent plans were more significant than his desire for stardom, and he is now in jail for 25 years to life.
His crimes occurred when he began posing as a woman on “Plenty of Fish”. He did this to lure men, so they would think they were meeting a woman for a date. You can see his emails here: https://www.scribd.com/doc/51397171/Email-between-Johnny-Altinger-and-supposed-date.
The Mark Twitchell Murder Case
Although his victims were expecting a love connection, they would be attacked instead. One man, Gilles Tetreault lived to tell the tale of how he went to meet his female date but instead encountered a masked Twitchell, who was holding a stun gun/baton. Thankfully, he managed to escape the rented garage and is probably grateful every day, after learning the sad fate of another fellow dater, John Brian “Johnny” Altinger.
It was in October 2008 when Altinger told his friends he was going to meet a woman he had been talking to on the dating site, POF. When he disappeared, friends were concerned as they received emails from Altinger which said he was heading to Costa Rica, with his date, for an extended vacation. His work also received a resignation letter, by email, with no address for his last check.
His concerned friends broke into his apartment and found his passport and dirty dishes, all of which suggested that Altinger had not gone on a trip. They were wise enough to contact police who pursued Twitchell. Twitchell tried to cover his tracks, claiming that he had just “happened” to meet Altinger before his Costa Rica trip and bought his car for $40.00 cash. The police saw through these lies and arrested Twitchell.
Mark Twitchell’s Trial
Ultimately, Twitchell was convicted for the murder of Altinger and charged for his crime against Tetreault, who testified about his experience. It was told that Twitchell tried to disguise the screams of his victims by telling neighbors that he was filming a movie.
As if Twitchell’s crimes weren’t bad enough, rumor has it that he purchased a television, to watch all the episodes of “Dexter” in his jail cell, which further points to his obsession with violence. When police investigated his case, before he was convicted, they found that he had written a script about his crimes.
Prosecutors use this writing during the trail, as an essential piece of evidence. It discussed how he lured a man into his garage and killed him, and what he did with the victim’s remains. Another document that was found, though not used during the trial, was disturbingly titled, “A Profile of a Psychopath” and explored the inner workings of his mind and history.
Watch Our Video We Made on the Mark Twitchell Case:
Never make the mistake that Twitchell’s victims made, in trusting someone you haven’t met in person or meeting in a private location. Men and women are both at risk! Background check every date through Social Catfish.
You can even reverse image search profile photographs, taken from the dating site or app. This can tell you if you’re dealing with an authentic person or a catfish or criminal. Be safe, cautious, and always meet in a public place until you trust someone!
