The End Of Reason
Explore the profound mysteries of human behavior with "The End Of Reason" podcast. Journey into the depths of crime and mystery, where logic crumbles in the face of the inexplicable. Unveil unsolved mysteries, delve into the minds of killers, and confront chilling conspiracies that challenge reason. Join us as we navigate the labyrinth of human darkness. And seek justice where reason ends.
The End Of Reason
Spring Break Descent into Darkness: The Mark Kilroy Story
Could a seemingly innocent spring break trip turn into a nightmarish brush with a deadly cult? Join us as we unravel the spine-chilling story of Mark James Kilroy, a promising college student whose vacation turned into a gruesome tragedy. We journey through the exuberant escapades of Kilroy and his friends as they traverse from Texas A&M University to South Padre Island, capturing the carefree joy before their ill-fated detour to Matamoros, Mexico. Amidst the chaotic spring break festivities, Kilroy's sudden disappearance marks the beginning of a harrowing tale of abduction and ritualistic murder that will leave you questioning the darker underbelly of seemingly innocuous spring break trips.
As the episode progresses, we delve into the horrific details of Kilroy's captivity and brutal murder at the hands of Adolfo Constanzo and his cult, uncovering the grim discovery of multiple victims' bodies and the intense police investigation that followed. Hear the heart-wrenching accounts from Kilroy's family, their advocacy for drug education, and their remarkable resilience in the face of unspeakable loss. We explore the convoluted legal battles, the claims of innocence from cult members, and the broader implications of drug-related violence in northern Mexico. This episode is a haunting reminder of the fragility of life and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable horror.
Before we begin today's episode, we want to provide a subject matter warning. This podcast delves into real-life crimes and their often graphic and disturbing details. Today's episode contains discussions of violence, murder and other sensitive topics that may not be suitable for all listeners. We understand that this content can be triggering or upsetting for some, and we urge you to consider your own well-being as you listen. With that said, let's proceed with today's case. On March 14th 1989, mark James Kilroy was a young man with a bright future whose spring break in Mexico turned into a nightmare. What began as a carefree trip with friends quickly spiralled into one of the most horrifying and bizarre crimes ever recorded Abduction, black magic and ritualistic murder. This is the story of how a promising student's life was cut short in a way no one could have ever imagined. Welcome to the End of Reason podcast.
Speaker 1:Today, we are looking at the case of Mark James Kilroy. To start, we must go back to March 10th 1989, when Bradley Moore, one of Mark Kilroy's childhood friends, wrapped up his exams early at Texas A&M University, a college in College Station, texas. This is one of the largest public universities in the United States. Founded in 1876, it was the first public institution of higher education in Texas and is known for its strong engineering, agriculture and business programs. Bradley wasted no time hitting the road to Austin to pick up Mark. From there, the two made their way to Santa Fe, a city in Galveston County, texas, where they gathered two more friends, bill Huddleston and Brent Martin. Their destination South Padre Island, texas, a hotspot for spring break revelry. After enduring a foggy nine-hour drive through the back roads of South Texas, they finally reached South Padre Island just before midnight. Exhausted but eager, they spent the night resting in their car and checked in at the Sheraton hotels and resorts first thing the following day, ready to hit the beach and start their spring break adventure.
Speaker 1:When Kilroy and Moore first arrived at South Padre Island at the start of the five-week spring break season, the crowds were sparse. But as the weekend unfolded, thousands of students from across the US began pouring in Beer. Sponsors set the stage for a frenzy of entertainment Free movies, live music, concerts, simulated surfing activities and even chances to appear in TV commercials, all designed to keep the party going day and night. Kilroy and Moore took advantage of the free phone calls to check in with their parents that day. That evening they met a group of female students from Purdue University, and the group quickly hit it off, partying together until the early hours of the morning.
Speaker 1:The next morning, kilroy and his friends settled into a laid-back routine. They'd start their day on the beach soaking up the sun before grabbing lunch. They'd head to the beach area behind their hotel in the afternoons to catch the daily Miss Tan Line contest. After the event, kilroy returned to the hotel for a quick nap, gearing up for their planned trip to Mexico later that day. That evening they left South Padre Island and stopped for dinner at a Sonic Drive-In in Port Isabel, texas. There they met a group of female students from the University of Kansas who were also headed to Mexico for a night of partying. The women decided to join them, following Moore's car from Port Isabel to Brownsville. When arriving, they parked near the Gateway International Bridge and crossed the US-Mexico border on foot. Ready for a night of adventure, kilroy and his friends, along with the Kansas women, spent the evening at Sergeant Pepper's nightclub in Matamoros. Before parting ways, the group returned to South Padre Island in the early hours of the morning. The group returned to South Padre Island in the early hours of the morning.
Speaker 1:On March 13th, kilroy and his friends attended another Miss Tan Line contest behind the Sheraton. Later that evening Kilroy reconnected with a former frat brother at a condo party. Around 10.30pm Kilroy and his friends made their way back to Matamoros, parking on the border and again crossing by foot. That night Matamoros was filled with around 15,000 spring break tourists from the United States, filling the city's main street, álvaro Obregón, as well as the sidewalks, streets and nightclubs. Everyone was eager to take advantage of Mexico's lax drinking laws and enjoy affordable alcohol. When Kilroy and his friends arrived, they opted for the bar with the shortest wait and ended up at Los Sombreros, known for its rock music and vibrant neon lights. But after a few drinks they left Los Sombreros and wandered over to London Pub, which had rebranded as Hard Rock Cafe. For spring break the Hard Rock Cafe was even louder and more raucous, with tourists tossing beer from the balcony as Kilroy and his friends stood at the bar soaking in the chaos. Kilroy connected with a few women at the bar and was out of sight from his friends for some time.
Speaker 1:Around 2am, huddleston suggested it was time to head back to South Padre Island. As the group exited London Pub they spotted Kilroy leaning against a car, chatting with a woman from the Miss Tanline contest. Across Alvaro Obregon Street, thousands of tourists were streaming out of the bars heading toward Brownsville, while others dispersed in different directions. The massive crowd made it challenging for Kilroy and his friends to cross the border together and without interruption. Moore and Martin broke away from the group and headed to Garcia's, a popular restaurant and store near the border. Kilroy meanwhile paused on the steps of a house on Alvaro Obregon to bid farewell to the woman from Miss Tanline. He then waited for Huddleston to join him. While Huddleston ducked into a nearby alley to urinate, kilroy stood by waiting when Huddleston re-emerged and made his way back to Garcia's.
Speaker 1:Kilroy had disappeared. His friends searched for him for hours, even after the bars closed and the streets cleared. Around 4.30am they crossed the border, hoping Kilroy might have made his way to Brownsville and were waiting near their parked car. When they didn't find him, they stayed briefly in Brownsville before returning to South Padre Island, assuming Kilroy had likely gone to the hotel with someone else. When Kilroy was still missing the next morning, they reported him to the police.
Speaker 1:The search for Kilroy started as a routine case of missing persons. Typically, students reported missing in Matamoros would reappear within a few days, usually with a hangover and foggy memories of their ordeal. Kilroy was among the 60 people who had gone missing in Matamoros during the first three months of 1989. However, his case gained heightened attention in the United States due to the involvement of his uncle, ken Kilroy, who worked at the United States Customs Service in Los Angeles when news of Kilroy's disappearance reached his uncle, ken Kilroy, who worked at the United States Customs Service in Los Angeles. When news of Kilroy's disappearance reached his uncle, a police task force was quickly established in Brownsville to search for him.
Speaker 1:Concerned about the negative publicity and its potential impact on tourism in Matamoros, local police officers attempted to deflect responsibility by suggesting that Kilroy had gone missing in Brownsville. Kilroy's friends strongly refuted these claims. This helped in the decision by the Mexican Federal Police to commit to collaborating with US investigators on the case. A commander assigned Mexican agents to work alongside US officials in Matamoros. Together they interviewed informants and potential witnesses and diligently pursued leads provided by their sources.
Speaker 1:Both Mexican and US authorities suspected foul play in Kilroy's disappearance. They considered the possibility that he might have been a victim of drug-related violence or a robbery gone wrong, but they lacked concrete leads to draw any firm conclusions. When Kilroy's friends reported him missing. Customs agents accompanied them back to Matamoros to help retrace their steps. Texan officials reached out to the US consulate in Matamoros requesting a search of local jails and hospitals using Kilroy's description.
Speaker 1:Additionally, investigators enlisted a hypnotist in hopes of uncovering new clues. While under hypnosis, moore reported seeing a young Hispanic man in a blue plaid shirt with a visible scar across his face, talking to Kilroy. Before his disappearance, the man approached Kilroy and said hey, don't I know you from somewhere, although Huddleston was unsure if Kilroy, and said hey, don't I know you from somewhere, although Huddleston was unsure if Kilroy had responded. Despite this, none of the friends could pinpoint the exact moment or location of Kilroy's disappearance. Investigators speculated that Kilroy had been kidnapped for robbery or ransom, with robbery being the more likely motive, since the abductors had not demanded any ransom. Authorities suspected that Kilroy's body had been discarded in a remote area. The US Border Patrol deployed helicopters and all-terrain vehicles to search along the Rio Grande River, but no trace of him was found. To search along the Rio Grande River, but no trace of him was found.
Speaker 1:Meanwhile, kilroy's parents travelled to the Rio Grande Valley, distributing over 20,000 flyers and offering a $15,000 reward for information about their son. They sought assistance from prominent figures, including Attorney General Jim Mattox, texas Governor William Clements and US Senator Lloyd Benson. Texan officials informed them that they planned to engage Tamaulipas Governor Americo Villarreal Guerra and increase local involvement in the search for Kilroy. Residents from Kilroy's hometown traveled to Matamoros distributing flyers that offered a reward for information leading to his safe return. While US authorities commended the Mexican federal police for their efforts, they were sceptical of state and municipal officials. There was concern that the slow response and lack of information sharing from local authorities suggested the possibility of inside involvement with Kilroy's perpetrators. On March 26th, kilroy's case was featured on the national television show America's Most Wanted, drawing widespread attention and resulting in numerous phone calls and letters with potential leads. However, the police found that none of these tips were substantial enough to act on. A few days later, kilroy's parents returned to Santa Fe, where the community rallied by organising garage sales and car washes to support their ongoing search. Additionally, kilroy's parents visited the University of Texas at Austin to withdraw their son from school.
Speaker 1:Finally, there was a breakthrough in the case on April 1st 1989, when Mexican federal officers at a drug interdiction checkpoint witnessed a vehicle bypassing the roadblock without stopping. The car had crossed the border from Texas and was speeding along Mexican Federal Highway 2, which connects Matamoros and Reynosa to Mólopas. But instead of activating their sirens and pursuing the truck, the officers opted to follow it discreetly using an unmarked vehicle. The truck drove to the Santa Elena Ranch outside Matamoros, where the officers maintained a watch from a distance. After about 30 minutes, the truck left the ranch and returned to the city. The officers then decided to inspect the ranch. During their search, they discovered cult paraphernalia and traces of marijuana. Police identified the truck driver as Serafine Hernandez-Garcia, the nephew of a local drug lord whose operations were centered around the ranch. Rather than arrest Hernandez-Garcia immediately, the authorities chose to gather additional evidence on the criminal activities taking place at the ranch and the organized crime members connected to the Hernandez family. They employed informants in Matamoros to investigate family activities at Santa Elena, aiming to build a case for a series of critical arrests.
Speaker 1:On April 9th, authorities returned with additional officers. They arrested Serafine Hernandez-Garcia, his uncle, elio Hernandez-Rivera, cult members David Serna-Valdez and Sergio Martinez-Salinas, and Domingo Reyes-Bustamante, the ranch's caretaker. Despite the gravity of the situation, the detainees appeared remarkably relaxed. They were placed in custody while the police questioned another caretaker at the ranch. This individual disclosed that the ranch frequently received visitors from Serafine's criminal group. The caretaker confirmed that Kilroy had been at the ranch, identifying him from a photograph and indicating the location where he had seen him. Yes, the caretaker said I saw him, pointing to a shack on the property.
Speaker 1:During a separate interrogation, hernandez-garcia admitted that several people, including Kilroy, had been killed over the past few months at Santa Elena. Hernandez-garcia revealed that the murders had been orchestrated by Adolfo Constanzo, a cult leader who practiced ritualistic human sacrifice, believing it provided supernatural protection for his drug gang. Constanzo believed that such sacrifices bestowed strength, abundance and immunity from law enforcement and harm. Hernandez-garcia explained that Constanzo had explicitly instructed his followers to capture a white Anglo male for sacrifice. According to Serafine Hernandez-Garcia, he and other gang members had mingled with spring break students in Matamoros.
Speaker 1:On the night of March 14th, as Kilroy stood on the street near his friends, one of the men lured him towards a truck. When Kilroy approached Hernandez Garcia and another cult member, malio Fabio Ponce Torres, seized him and forced him into the truck. After a couple of blocks, torres seized him and forced him into the truck. After a couple of blocks, one of the gangsters briefly stopped to catch his breath, allowing Kilroy to break free and flee. However, he was quickly intercepted by another vehicle driven by the gang's allies, who captured him at gunpoint. Kilroy was then subdued, handcuffed and placed in the back of the second vehicle. The gangsters transported Kilroy through the city's back streets and industrial areas, ultimately reaching Santa Elena Ranch. They left him inside the vehicle overnight. At dawn, the ranch caretaker visited Kilroy, providing him with bread, eggs and water.
Speaker 1:Approximately 12 hours after Kilroy's abduction, constanzo and his associates arrived. They wrapped his face and mouth with duct tape and led him, with his hands still bound, through a field to a storage cabin. Throughout the night of March 15th, constanzo tortured and sodomised Kilroy before taking him out to the field there. Constanzo killed him by hacking at the back of his neck and head with a machete. Kilroy's brain was then boiled in nganga, an African metal pot used by Constanzo to cook human and animal remains. His legs were severed above the knees for easier burial and a wire was inserted into his spinal column to facilitate the extraction of bones once the body had decomposed. The cult members then dug a grave on the ranch and buried Kilroy's body. Hernandez-garcia agreed to lead the police to the location where Kilroy was buried, marked by the ends of the wire protruding from the soil. He explained that the wire had been used to facilitate the retrieval of bones, which cult members planned to wear as necklaces to protect themselves from danger and injury.
Speaker 1:On April 11th, the police took Hernandez Garcia and the four other suspects to Santa Elena Ranch and forced them at gunpoint to spend several hours excavating graves. Once Kilroy's body was exhumed, it was noted that his legs were missing. Hernandez-garcia clarified that the amputations were not part of the ritual but were performed to facilitate burial. The excavation uncovered 15 mutilated bodies, including Kilroy's, all of which were male and had been killed over the past nine months. Kilroy's identity was confirmed when Brownsville police matched his dental records with the teeth found at the scene. Investigators determined that most of the victims were rival drug dealers of Constanzo, not random abductees like Kilroy. Three of the 15 bodies remained unidentified. At the ranch, mexican police also seized 110 kilograms of marijuana, 108 grams of cocaine, 12 firearms, including three submachine guns, and 11 vehicles, some equipped with telephones. Inside an iron pot, investigators found human brain remains, a goat's head, chicken feet, a turtle, various herbs, a horseshoe and coins mixed with animal blood, but there was no evidence of cannibalism.
Speaker 1:The following day, april 12th, the detainees were brought to the Mexican Federal Judicial Police headquarters in Matamoros for an informal press conference. Over 250 international journalists gathered to photograph and interview them. The four suspects were displayed on the building's balcony and answered reporters' questions. Elio Hernandez Rivera claimed he was an ordained executioner under Constanzo and that Constanzo himself had killed Kilroy. As the cameras focused on the suspects, hernandez Rivera revealed his membership scars arrow-like cuts on his shoulders, back, arms and chest, made with a hot blade. These markings were given to select cult members authorised to perform human sacrifices.
Speaker 1:On April 13th, a religious ceremony initially organised to renew hope for Kilroy's safe return transformed into a memorial service following the discovery of his body. The service took place at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Santa Fe, where many residents gathered. Around 150 children adorned the church's trees with yellow ribbons as a symbol of support for Kilroy. After the ceremony, kilroy's friends expressed regret, wishing they had stayed in Texas to party rather than travelling to Mexico. In Brownsville, a memorial service at St Luke Catholic Church drew over 1,200 attendees who came to support Kilroy's parents. Many wore yellow ribbons inscribed with Miss you Mark and waited in line to offer their condolences.
Speaker 1:The Kilroy family demonstrated profound faith and composure while addressing the press demonstrated profound faith and composure. While addressing the press, kilroy's father spoke about the murder, stating that they held no anger towards the perpetrators and hoped that one day, if those responsible went to heaven and encountered their son, they would apologise. Kilroy's mother urged others to pray for the murderers. On April 15th, kilroy's parents met with the US President, george W Bush, and William Bennett, the head of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. They told the politicians that every drug user creates a victim and emphasised that drug consumption, even in moderation, inflicts suffering. They advocated for improved education on drug abuse. Bush described the case as very sensitive and Bennett acknowledged that Kilroy's murder was mourned nationwide, but praised the parents for channeling their grief into a very good effort. Following the meeting, the parents expressed satisfaction that the government was headed in the right direction, despite a lack of specifics on future actions against drug abuse. They commended the government's initiative to seek public input on improving the country. Kilroy's father emphasised that meaningful change required both governmental action and individual effort from every citizen.
Speaker 1:Two weeks after the bodies were exhumed from Santa Elena, the Mexican federal police returned to the ranch early in the morning to destroy the shack and place a wooden cross over the ashes to the ranch early in the morning to destroy the shack and place a wooden cross over the ashes. A curandero folk healer was brought to purify the site before the burning. The curandero entered the shack, said a few prayers, sprinkled salt on the floor and made the sign of the cross. The police then doused the building in gasoline and set it ablaze. The Mexican government did not provide an official explanation for these actions. Still, a source close to the investigation suggested that the police aimed to undermine Constanzo by destroying a place of great significance to him. The following morning, constanzo reportedly went into a rage when he saw the arson reported on national television. Went into a rage when he saw the arson reported on national television.
Speaker 1:By murdering Kilroy, constanzo drew international attention and compelled the Mexican government to intensify its efforts to bring him and his followers to justice. On April 11th 1989, the same day the bodies were exhumed from Santa Elena, constanzo fled to a holiday inn in Brownsville, texas, before catching a flight from McAllen to Mexico City, where he had an apartment. He escaped with several accomplices, including Sara Aldrete, martin Quintana Rodriguez, omar Francisco Orea Ochoa and Alvaro de Leon Valdez. In response, us and Mexican law enforcement agencies launched a massive international manhunt to capture Constanzo and his cult members. Authorities initially suspected that Constanzo might head to Miami to visit his mother, but he chose to hide in Mexico City, moving between locations with his followers. Rumors spread of sightings in Chicago, while others claimed Aldrete was spotted in schools across the Rio Grande Valley, allegedly vowing to abduct children. For each cult member jailed, a convenience store clerk in Clovis, new Mexico, reported seeing a couple resembling Constanzo and Aldrete. Constanzo's last confirmed sighting was in Brownsville, driving a 1989 Mercedes-Benz.
Speaker 1:In Matamoros, law enforcement raided Aldrete's home, discovering an altar, religious images and bloodstains throughout the interior. The Cameron County Sheriff's Office released a wanted poster declaring Constanzo extremely dangerous and indicted both him and Aldretti for aggravated kidnapping. They were also charged in McAllen with various drug offences, along with 11 other cult members. Arrest warrants were issued for all cult members still at large and, despite the lack of solid leads, authorities encouraged the public to continue providing information.
Speaker 1:On April 17th, seraphine Hernandez Rivera Sr, a native of Brownsville, was arrested in Houston by DEA agents and the Texas Department of Public Safety. He faced federal charges for importing marijuana, possession and conspiracy, along with two associates, quintana Rodriguez and Ponce Torres, both Mexican citizens. During a search of his Houston residence authorities seized cash and weapons but found no cult-related items or clues about Constanzo's location. Houston police suspected Constanzo might be hiding in the city as he was connected to a failed $20 million cocaine operation busted there in June 1988. Investigators discovered ritualistic candles, an altar and paperwork bearing Rivera's name at the house, suggesting Constanzo had purchased several properties in Houston and may have frequented one of these locations. Serafine Sr cooperated with US officials and was sentenced to 18 months in prison, released in June 1990 and returned to Brownsville. Released in June 1990, and returned to Brownsville that same day.
Speaker 1:Mexican police raided one of Constanzo's properties in Atizapan, mexico City, uncovering a stash of homosexual pornography and a hidden ritual chamber with an altar. This led them to question members of Mexico City's homosexual community for possible leads on Constanzo's whereabouts. Despite finding altars and other ritualistic objects, no evidence linked the property to any murders. No men were apprehended, but authorities arrested Maria Teresa Quintana Rodriguez, the sister of one of Constanzo's lovers and henchmen. Additionally, aldrete's purse and personal belongings were found at the property, prompting suspicions that Constanzo might have killed her because she knew too much about his cult. Police noted they did not see Aldrete with the group upon their arrival in Mexico City and speculated that Constanzo could have buried her somewhere in the city. However, us authorities believed Aldrete may have intentionally left her belongings behind to mislead investigators and fake her death.
Speaker 1:On April 24th, police arrested Victor Manuel Antunes Flores and Salvador Antonio Villaluz, who were hiding in one of Constanzo's properties in the Juarez neighborhood. The Mexico City police noticed similarities between the Matamoros murders and a series of killings in Mexico City from 1987 to 1989. After consulting with local witchcraft practitioners and sorcerers, they learned that Constanzo was likely hiding in Cuauhtémoc, a borough of the city. Another source provided an address in the nearby Veronica Anzures neighborhood. Sixteen officers were dispatched to search the area. They spoke to a shoemaker at a local supermarket who claimed to have seen a woman resembling Aldrete. While there, they spotted a man attempting to buy large quantities of groceries with US dollars. They discreetly followed him back to an apartment on Rio Sena and identified him as De Leon, who was buying supplies for Constanzo. By the end of the week, the police were certain of Constanzo's location.
Speaker 1:On May 6th 1989, they surrounded the building, waiting for traffic to subside before launching their raid. However, before the operation began, a black vehicle pulled up in front of the apartment complex, prompting the police to investigate. From his window, constanzo saw the officers and opened fire. He threw golden coins and paper money out the window and burned some on a stove. He threw golden coins and paper money out the window and burned some on a stove. After exhausting his ammunition, Constanzo, growing increasingly desperate, ordered De Leon to kill him and Quintana Rodriguez to avoid capture. De Leon hesitated, but Constanzo slapped him and threatened him with eternal suffering if he disobeyed. Resolute Constanzo hugged Quintana Rodriguez and De Leon, shot them both with a machine gun while they huddled in a closet.
Speaker 1:When the police stormed the smoke-filled apartment, aldrete ran out screaming that Constanzo was dead. De Leon later confessed that Constanzo had lost his mind during the standoff, shouting that everything was lost and insisting that no one would have his money. He also admitted to participating in Kilroy's murder and other killings at Santa Elena. Though he claimed that Constanzo committed most of the murders himself, aldrete denied any involvement, stating she had only learned of the killings when she saw them reported on television. She claimed she was still undergoing initiation into the cult and had been held captive by Constanzo during their time in hiding in Mexico City. When asked if she was in love with Constanzo, she denied it, asserting she was merely his follower At the scene.
Speaker 1:The police arrested Aldrete De Leon, oreja Ochoa, juan Carlos Fragoso and Jorge Montes. Later that day they also detained Maria de Lourdes Guerro Lopez and Maria del Rocío Cuevas Guerra, two other cultists renting one of Constanzo's apartments. The suspects were charged with homicide, criminal association, assaulting an officer and property damage. Concerned that Constanzo might have staged his death, investigators conducted a fingerprint analysis which confirmed the body was indeed his, despite rumours. Constanzo's 9mm Uzi submachine gun. Investigators conducted a fingerprint analysis which confirmed the body was indeed his. Despite rumours, Constanzo's 9mm Uzi submachine gun and a supposed suitcase were never formally recorded as seized items by the police. On May 15th, a judge denied bail for the suspects as the charges against them carried sentences totalling over 50 years in prison. The charges against them carried sentences totaling over 50 years in prison.
Speaker 1:On August 27th 1989, omar Francisco Orea Ochoa was admitted to a hospital in Santa Martha, acatitla after being diagnosed with AIDS. Police had identified him, along with Aldrete, as one of Constanzo's lovers. However, aldrete showed no signs of the disease. Aurea Ochoa died on February 11th 1990.
Speaker 1:On June 2nd 1989, salvador Vidal Garcia Alarcón, a police chief with the Federal Judicial Police, was indicted for drug trafficking. Aldrete and other cult members had identified him as the group's contact within the police force. Aldrete claimed Constanzo had told her that he had killed two men on Garcia Alarcon's behalf. The police chief, however, insisted that his relationship with Constanzo was purely spiritual, saying he had been possessed by spirits at a young age and sought Constanzo for help. Garcia Alarcon was not charged with Kilroy's murder or any other killings linked to the cult.
Speaker 1:In August 1990, de Leon was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the murders of Constanzo, and Quintana Rodríguez, fragoso and Montes received 35-year sentences for unrelated murder charges. Reyes Bustamante, the caretaker of the Santa Elena ranch, was charged with aiding in the cover-up but was released on December 11, 1990, after posting a $500 bond. On June 10, 1993, drug trafficking charges against Ovidio and Ponce Torres were dropped in the US without explanation. On May 3rd 1994, aldrete was sentenced to 62 years in prison, while cult members Elio Serafine Jr Martinez Salinas and Serna Valdez each received 67-year sentences.
Speaker 1:In a press interview, Kilroy's parents expressed relief at the sentencing of the cultists. The charges against them included multiple homicides 31 years. Possession of narcotics 12 years. Organized crime involvement 5 years. Police impersonation 2 years. Illegal body desecration 2 years. Illegal firearm possession 10 years, and possession of weapons exclusive to the Mexican armed forces 5 years. The judge noted that Aldrete received a shorter sentence because she was not charged with possession of military-grade weapons, a crime carrying a maximum penalty of 5 years. He also explained that Mexico's judicial system caps the maximum sentence for capital murder at 50 years.
Speaker 1:Although Mexico does not have parole, prisoners can petition for sentence reductions through appeal courts and, if denied, can file for a writ of amparo to seek further relief. On March 27th 1998, a Mexican federal court reduced the sentences of Elio Serna Valdez and Martinez Salinas by 17 years, lowering them from 67 years to the maximum 50 years allowed under Mexican law. This reduction reflected the common practice in Mexico, where sentences for serious crimes that exceed 50 years are often adjusted on appeal. The cult members were considered eligible for this sentence reduction as first-time offenders. Elio was transferred to a prison in Ciudad Victoria, tamaulipas, while Serna Valdez and Martinez Salinas were sent to Federal Social Readaptation Center no 1 in Almaloya State of Mexico. As of 2009, only two suspects, ovidio and Ponce Torres, remained at large and were still wanted in Mexico for Kilroy's murder.
Speaker 1:In a 2003 press interview, aldrete denied any involvement in Kilroy's murder or the cult killings, insisting that investigators could never truly understand what happened at Santa Elena because the primary witness, constanzo, was dead. She further alleged that the police had concealed the identities of high-profile individuals associated with Constanzo to protect themselves. Declaring her belief in God, she maintained her innocence and refused to seek forgiveness from society for crimes she claimed she did not commit. The following year, she publicly stated that she had been tortured into confessing, recounting how she was stripped naked, blindfolded, hung upside down, beaten and had her toenails pulled out. She claimed the abuse was so severe that doctors later told her she would never be able to have children. In the early 2000s, aldrete released an autobiography detailing her introduction to Constanzo and his group, her alleged captivity by Constanzo, the abuse she suffered at the hands of authorities and her account of the events. According to her, she visited Constanzo in Mexico City and was taken hostage when he suspected she might betray him to the police. Al-dretay maintained that neither Constanzo nor his followers knew about the Matamoros killings until the police began searching for them. They went into hiding out of fear for their lives. She described her treatment in jail, including physical abuse, psychological torture and sexual assault, and asserted that her trial was unfair. Her account of Constanzo's death differed from the official version. She claimed police executed him during the raid on the apartment. She also criticized the authorities for burning down the shack in Santa Elena, arguing that it likely contained crucial evidence such as the fingerprints of the true murderers.
Speaker 1:In a 2014 interview, serafine and Martinez Salinas declared their innocence and offered their perspectives on the case. Serafine accused Federal Judicial Police Commander Juan Benitez Ayala of targeting him solely because of his family ties to Elio and Ovidio. He stated that he was not arrested at the ranch, but rather at Elio's in-law's house in Matamoros, a Houston native who had moved to Brownsville for college. Serafine said he was visiting his family in Matamoros when he was detained. He claimed he was tortured by Mexican and US authorities in Matamoros to coerce a confession and threatened with death if he spoke English. During his statement, a Texas Southmost College student asserted that he knew who Aldrete was, but had no personal connection to her. He also stated that he had never met Constanzo and was unaware that the cult was using his family ranch. He further maintained that he did not dig up any bodies and was only brought to the ranch after the exhumation had already occurred. Martinez Salinas, on the other hand, stated that he was coerced into confessing because he was a neighbor of the Santa Elena ranch and a driver for the Hernandez family. He claimed he was beaten and taken to the ranch where he was forced to pose with the exhumed bodies. When asked if he had ever met Constanzo, he said he had only seen him at the ranch with the Hernandez family but never spoke to him. Martinez Salinas described being arrested while searching for a car part at Elio's in-law's house. He mentioned that he had known Aldrete for years, having dated one of her sisters, and had never heard her speak about the cult, only about her studies and marriage. He added that Elio and Ovidio never discussed the cult with him or invited him to join.
Speaker 1:After Kilroy's death was confirmed, the media quickly characterized the drug trafficking group and their religious practices as Satanists. Most US outlets focused on the sensational aspect of Satanism, giving little attention to the rampant drug-related violence that plagued northern Mexico. This narrow portrayal failed to provide a complete picture of what happened in Matamoros. Some reports inaccurately concluded that the discovery of human body parts in a large metal pot was proof of cannibalism, mistakenly conflating the group's practices with the stereotypical image of Satanist rituals involving the consumption of human remains. Meanwhile, other journalists suggested that Constanzo worshipped Cadiem Pembe, the devil figure in Palo Mayombe, and that Kilroy's mutilation and secretive burial aligned with certain occult traditions.
Speaker 1:As the media frenzy over Satanism subsided, several Afro-Cuban scholars argued that Constanzo's actions stemmed from a twisted personal conviction and psychopathic manipulation of Palo Mayombe. They believed he exploited the religion for his financial gain, criminal enterprise and psychological needs, convincing his followers that human sacrifice would shield them from law enforcement. Others posited that Constanzo genuinely believed Kilroy's murder was necessary, according to his distorted interpretation of Palo Mayombe. From this perspective, the gruesome events in Matamoros were less about cultural context and more about the potential for such acts to occur anywhere, given the right blend of fanaticism and delusion.
Speaker 1:On the 20th anniversary of their son's murder, kilroy's parents returned to the Rio Grande Valley and Matamoros to express their gratitude to those who had supported them during their search. Kilroy's father shared that the community's vigilance and willingness to report any suspicious activities related to his son's disappearance had eased their grief. His mother recalled receiving a cross from a woman in Brownsville in 1989 while searching for her son. It's a reminder every time that I know the Lord was involved in everything she said, gently touching the cross around her neck, gently touching the cross around her neck. Helen Kilroy passed away from ALS in 2014 at the age of 70.
Speaker 1:Now let's focus on Mark James Kilroy, born on March 5, 1968 in Chicago, illinois, to James William Jim Kilroy, a chemical engineer, and Helen Josephine Kilroy, a volunteer paramedic. Shortly after his birth, the family relocated from the Midwest to Texas, eventually settling in the small town of Santa Fe, just outside of Houston, where Kilroy spent over 15 years alongside his brother, keith Richard Kilroy. Kilroy and his family were raised in a Catholic household. They were active members of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in nearby Hitchcock, texas. Kilroy was known for his strong academic and athletic abilities. During his teenage years, he played baseball, basketball and golf and was involved in the Boy Scouts of America. At Santa Fe High School, kilroy was an honours student and student council member, graduating 14th in a class of 210 students.
Speaker 1:After graduating in 1986, kilroy attended Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos before transferring to Tarleton State University in Stephenville on a basketball scholarship. While at Tarleton, he joined the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. However, he eventually shifted his focus from athletics to academics. While at Tarleton, he joined the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. However, he eventually shifted his focus from athletics to academics and transferred to the University of Texas at Austin to pursue a pre-med degree. Thank you for joining us on this journey through the shadows of humanity. On the End of Reason podcast. As we conclude today's episode, remember that the pursuit of truth never truly ends. Until next time, stay vigilant, stay curious and never let go of reason.