Eyes Wide Unseeing True Crime Podcast

February 17, 2022

The Eyes Wide Unseeing True Crime Podcast, or simply EWU, is a crime podcast that is hosted by Mr. Gray, a former Special Agent, and Profiler for the ~~Federal Investigation Bureau~~ who works with a group of anonymous data researchers. The podcast releases new episodes twice a month on Thursdays. The series deals with solved or cold criminal cases, often related to well-known murders and serial crimes. The series relies primarily on original police or mass-media documents, eyewitness accounts, and interview or public announcement recordings.

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Mission Statement: Everything written in each episode is purely fanfic and creepypasta for the sake of entertainment. Nothing here is actual facts. Also to clarify, in this topic, it is one with all of the universes from multiple R* Games. All of these worlds will be consolidated into one. So we are are going to explore mysteries from GTA III to Manhunt to Red Dead to Max Payne to GTA V, etc. We will also present fan-made mysteries. So if you have an idea for a good EWU episode, PM me with details and we will review it. Hope to see good feedback.

Enjoy.

Season One

Spoiler

1. Old Fred Acts Nice, But It Ain't So: The Isaac Bronson Murder Mystery - Premiered 3/3/22
In September of 1947, Vinewood actor and producer Isaac M. Bronson was reported missing after not coming home after a night of partying. 67 years later, he was found in an abandoned mineshaft in Great Chaparrel, dead. There was foul play at hand, and an immersive police investigation took place in 2014 for Isaac's Killer. After weeks of rigorous detective work from LSPD Detectives Calvin Jessup and Alex Calas, the Killer is revealed. Who was the Killer? We can tell you, he wasn't very nice.

2. The Snowman Killer: Terror in the Midwest - Premiered 3/17/22
From 1981 to 1984, a series of killings occurred in the Midwestern state, North Yankton. Wayne Abernathy, the alleged Snowman Killer, was arrested only three miles from the last victim's house. Since his arrest, he has claimed that he was innocent the entire time. His plea did not convince the jury or the judge as he was sent to Death Row. In 1998, after being on Death Row for 14 years, he would die in the electric chair. His last words before the lever were pulled, with a tear running down his face, "I'm innocent. You got the wrong man." Is it true? Did the police arrest the wrong man? Is he still out there?

3. He Was Once, a King: Who Killed Frank "Bats" Reisner? - Premiered 5/24/2022

From the formation of the biggest organized crime syndicate to being an architect for Sin City, Frank Reisner, better known as Bats, was a thug from Broker, Liberty City but rose to the top as a gangster Rockefeller. But was killed in his home in 1947 at the young age of 41. No one was ever arrested for the murder. Who did it? What led to his gruesome murder? We have the answers.

Upcoming Season One Episodes

Spoiler

4. One Versus All: A Gruesome Manhunt - Premiers 5/31/2022

By the year 2003, half of the city of Carcer City has fallen. The economy has failed the city and many have left. Leaving a huge part of the city abandoned. While half of the city was living their average to good life, the eastern half has been zoned off and its new residents are those of the criminally insane and have embarked on an overnight manhunt. All for a snuff film called BORN AGAIN, with its star, killer James Earl Cash, fighting to survive the night. Why did the government let this happen? Why did no one intervene? Did no one know about it? We have the answers.

Edited May 24, 2022 by Francesco Bonomo

February 18, 2022

I must admit, I like this idea. Just a small recommendation, you should include shout-outs to other R* games. Manhunt is just begging to have a podcast or two dedicated to it.

February 18, 2022

1 hour ago, Mr. Galloway said:

I must admit, I like this idea. Just a small recommendation, you should include shout-outs to other R* games. Manhunt is just begging to have a podcast or two dedicated to it.

That’s actually a great idea. I will definitely make those additions.

February 20, 2022

@Francesco Bonomo - Some interesting concept here! Would love to see something related to Manhunt as well.

BTW when are you and E Revere gonna continue the Badfellas and Cosa Nostra concepts?

February 21, 2022

15 hours ago, H-G said:

@Francesco Bonomo - Some interesting concept here! Would love to see something related to Manhunt as well.

BTW when are you and E Revere gonna continue the Badfellas and Cosa Nostra concepts?

Funny you mentioned that. @E Revere has rewritten his missions and will post new missions in the near future. You can check them out now. As for Badfellas, I will be working that as I work on EWU. Thank you so much for still being a fan.

February 23, 2022

In 8 days, the season premier will drop. If anyone wants a sneak peek, PM me.

March 4, 2022

SEASON ONE EPISODE ONE: Old Fred Acts Nice, But It Ain't So: The Isaac Bronson Murder Mystery

Mr. Gray: Before you take another step, please note that you will be stepping into the known unknown abyss of espionage, deceit, and lies coming to light. Hear what we say but understand nothing. Nod your head, yes, when you understand the risks but make no movement. Look into the secret files that have been hidden from the public for years and decades, even centuries... but see nothing. Do you follow? Good. Once you cross the threshold of secrets, there is no turning back. With that said, welcome to Eyes Wide Unseeing.

Theme Song

Mr. Gray: Great Chaparral, Los Santos County, San Andreas. The 18th of November in the year 2014. Two young students of LSU decide to go on a hike in the countryside of northern Los Santos County. With the weather being beautiful. Some may say it was perfect. The temperature was in the mid-70's with clear blue skies as if it was a landscape portrait painted by Monet. 21-year-old Timothy Sheffield and 20-year-old Ila Stacy began their journey by parking their silver-colored 2008 Bollokan Prairie off Baytree Canyon Road, North of Great Chaparral, and hiking down a dirt road going Southwest. The birds were chirping in the air and the wind was light as it was hitting the couple gracefully on their skin. It was the perfect time for a hike. However, the sun was beaming hard upon Timothy and Ila. Though it wasn't an issue, they agreed to find some shade along the dirt road. Timothy looked ahead and found a few trees giving off a comforting shade from the Sun. They soon rush towards it. They took this time to rest and drink their well-deserved water from their thermos bottles that maintained their drink nice and cold. Behind the trees, on the rocky cliff, Timothy noticed something unusual. Upon further investigation, it is revealed that it is the entrance to an old mineshaft. A piece of history right before their eyes. Most likely one of the last coal mines ever to close in Los Santos County. Certainly a great find. With the excitement overtaking their minds, they decided to go in. The entrance was boarded up but it wasn't strong. They were able to move three boards off the frame with no problem.

Naturally, there wasn't any light inside the mineshaft. Timothy and Ila utilized the wonders of modern technology with the flashlight from their iFruit smartphones while recording. Here is a piece of the audio-

Timothy: This is incredible. I mean- there are still tools from when this was operational.
Ila: How old do you think this is?
Timothy: Well, from what I know, the last coal mineshaft in Los Santos County was the Tataviam Mountain Mineshaft in the mid-60s. This looks older.
Ila: Oh wow. How far do you think this goes?
Timothy: I don't know. Miles, I guess. I don't wanna go too far in.
Ila: Yeah. Hey, what's that over there?
Timothy: What?
Ila: Something on the tracks up ahead. Flash your light.
Timothy: Looks like a bag or something. What the Hell? Babe, I think... I-I-I-I-
Ila: What?
Timothy: It's a dead body! Holy sh*t!
Ila: [Screams] Oh my God!
Timothy: Let's go. Come on, let go!

Mr. Gray: What started as an exciting adventure, quickly turned into a horror. Timothy and Ila rush out of the mineshaft and immediately dialed 911. It would be a few hours until finally, a Los Santos Police Cruiser appeared. Meanwhile, Timothy and Ila were under the same tree they used for shade earlier, shaken. They were taken back to their vehicle and were escorted back to their dorm at ULSA, with that haunting image forever lingering in their minds. Back at the mineshaft, Police Detectives Calvin Jessup and Alex Calas began inspecting the corpse. The corpse was quickly identified as male. Judging by how deteriorated the body was, this man has been dead for many years. The only spectacle to narrow down the time of death of this man, was his suit. A black pinstripe three-piece suit and a fedora. A style that was popular among men with money in the 1930s, 40's, and 50's.

Upon further inspection of the inside lapel, there was a name stitched on. Indicating that this particular suit was tailored especially for this individual. The name was "I. M. Bronson." At least he wouldn't be reported as a John Doe. They gently place I. M. Bronson in a bag and put on a gurney and was rolled out of the mineshaft and straight to a morgue. In just 18 hours, he was finally identified.

The Coroner informed the Police that I. M. Bronson is actually Isaac Merle Bronson. THE Isaac Merle Bronson. He was a well-known Vinewood actor in the 1940s, worked closely with the great Vinewood Legend Fred Quincy. In 1947, Isaac Bronson was reported missing after leaving a lavish party at the Gentry Manor in Downtown Vinewood. The news media quickly ran the segment.

Weazel News: WEAZELS NEWS! Legendary Vinewood Actor missing for 67 Years, Found Dead in Abandoned Mineshaft.

The Search for Isaac Bronson is finally over, after 67 years. He was reported missing by his wife in September of 1947, and there hasn't been any luck finding him. That was until two young college students, out for a hike, found his body deep inside the abandoned Great Chaparral Mineshaft which was closed down in 1937 but it seems like its doors were open one last time 10 years later serving as Isaac's final resting place. The cause of death is still undetermined as a thorough investigation has commenced.

Mr. Gray: The public went wild. There were numerous posts on social media talking about Isaac Bronson and the investigation using the hashtag "#MurderMystery."

Two weeks after Isaac was identified, the Rockford Hills Police Station received a mysterious call. The call was from a man who distorted his voice, asking for Detectives Jessup and Calas. According to the "Mystery Man", finding Isaac was the final piece of the puzzle but the puzzle still wasn't done.

Mystery Man: For decades I have been leaving clues. Helping the intrigued find the truth. No one paid attention. Now that Isaac has been found, it's time to wrap up this six-decade-long mystery. He is the final puzzle piece, but be mindful, the puzzle is still very much incomplete. Everyone's last record of seeing Isaac alive was him leaving a party at the Gentry Manor Hotel, then driving off. Maybe there's more to it.

Mr. Gray: The Mystery Man hung up leaving the Detectives a clue. What could he have meant about Isaac being the final piece of the puzzle but the puzzle was far from its completion? It was a long shot, but the Detectives went with their gut feeling and made their way to the Gentry Manor Hotel.

They weren't sure what it was they were looking for, yet they searched the Hotel top to bottom for something interesting. But there was nothing. Maybe the Mystery Man was wrong. Isaac was dead 67 years, any evidence pointing to a possible killer would have been gone by now. Both Detective Jessup and Calas grew impatient. Frustrated with this dead-end. Calas goes for a smoke break. He lights his cigarette with a deep drag, then leans against a wall as he let out an exhale of smoke and relief. Looking around the exterior of the Gentry Manor walkways, something caught his attention. There's the clue.

Excited, Calas screamed out Jessup's name and presented him their "clue."

A carved message on an outside wall that was blocked by a shrub. The message said-

"Old Fred acts nice, but it ain't so."

Now we're getting somewhere. Who is this Fred? Who carved this message? Most importantly, is there possibly anyone alive today that was present the night Isaac was last seen alive in 1947? All dead-end questions. But at least there is still hope.

Soon after, the word was put out that the police need to question anyone that was present that night. Any information was greatly appreciated. Weeks have gone by. Hope was scarce. But there was finally a phone call. A family from the Mid-West called and informed the Detectives that the family's matriarch, 90-year-old Katherine Auburn, indeed attended that same party in 1947. They flew out to the state of Ohio to meet with her. They recorded the entire interview. Here it is.

Jessup: Testing, testing audio. Everything good?
Calas: We're good.
Jessup: Good. Okay, let's get started. Hello, Katherine. How are you?
Katherine: I'm just fine, thanks.
Calas: Can you state your full name, date of birth, and place of birth?
Katherine: My name is Katherine Eileen Auburn, born February 8th, 1924 in Shreveport, Ohio.
Jessup: Thank you for that, Katherine. We really appreciate it.
Katherine: Anything for poor Isaac. He was a very good man.
Calas: Did you know him personally?
Katherine: Only in the last months of his life. He was married to Cecily Banks. You know, the famous actress.
Jessup: Yes. I'm familiar with her work.
Katherine: They were a nice couple. Never struck her, not once. Never cheated either. He was so madly in love with her. And her to him. She was just destroyed when he didn't come home that night.
Jessup: Can you tell us the events of that night?
Katherine: Of course. Are you going to finally bring justice to his murder?
Calas: So you think it was murder?
Katherine: I feel like it was. He was a homebody. Didn't like to be away from his wife. It wasn't like him to go to a party by himself. Much less with The Boulevard Trio.
Calas: Boulevard Trio?
Katherine: Yes. Abe Schwartzman, David Richards, and Fred Quincy.

Mr. Gray: The detectives' hairs stood up after hearing the name "Fred."

Jessup: I see. Why were they called The Boulevard Trio?
Katherine: Whenever there was a party in Vinewood, from West Eclipse to Mirror Park Boulevard, they were there. They never missed a party.
Calas: And Isaac wasn't the partying type?
Katherine: That's right. Now don't get it twisted, he enjoyed a good time but in his home.
Jessup: Understood. So can you tell us about his last party at the Gentry Manor?
Katherine: Every time I hear that name, I just... Anyway. I wasn't with him the entire time. I remember he got there with the Boulevard Trio after 10 at night. By then, I was already a little sauced. I saw him walk towards the party area but he looked uncomfortable. Like something was wrong. I didn't know what, though. I wanted to speak to him about it but he kept changing the subject. He sat down on a lounge chair by the pool with a drink. The Trio, I remember seeing them talking to that man. That short man who was a gangster at the time.
Jessup: Italian?
Katherine: No, Jewish. Nicky something.
Calas: Nicky Haller? The Crime Boss?
Katherine: Him. He had such a cold look in his eyes when he looked at Isaac. David Richards was always sweet on me. Invited me to their table for drinks. I wasn't comfortable but I stayed. They were talking about so many things, I couldn't really keep track. But what I do remember is Nicky Haller telling Fred "the Galileo roof is one of my favorite spots." I didn't know what he meant by that.
Jessup: What happened after that?
Katherine: They kept drinking. Fred really hit the sauce. Nicky left then David left. Abe and Fred stayed behind I remember. Then Fred excused himself with me. Told me he was gonna go home. He went to Isaac and they all left. Isaac gave me a hug before leaving with them. That was the last time I saw him. They got in Isaac's car and left.

Calas: If you don't mind me asking, do you recall what car Isaac was driving that night?

Katherine: It was a black 1947 Albany Chapter 8 convertible. I remember seeing him drive that car feeling like a million bucks. Apart from his wife, that car was his pride and joy.
Calas: Thank you for your cooperation, Katherine. We really appreciate it. But just before we leave, let me ask one last question.
Katherine: Go ahead.
Calas: What was Isaac wearing that night?
Katherine: His tailored black suit with pinstripes.
Calas: Did he have on a hat?
Katherine: A fedora matching the suit. He always had his tailor stitch his name inside the jacket. I. M. Bronson.
Jessup: I'm curious, how were you close to him? And how were you able to be in that type of scene?
Katherine: You're asking what was my profession. If you ever seen a billboard for Redwood Cigarettes from back in the day, I'm the girl smiling taking a smoke.
Calas: Oh boy, do I remember that.
Jessup: Thank you, Katherine. Have a lovely rest of your evening.
Katherine: Please bring justice for Isaac so he can be in peace.
Calas: We will.

Mr. Gray: Not a second to waste. As soon as the Detectives made their return to Los Santos, they were en route to the Galileo Observatory. Questions rose from their fellow officers. What is motivating them to solve this mystery? Is it desperation? Redemption? Or is it the urge to bring justice to a dead man? Questions with no clear answers. Nonetheless, the Galileo Observatory is their next destination with hopes that something there can continue shining the path before them.

At the Observatory, the detectives quickly made their way to the roof. It's a lot of ground to cover. Jessup and Calas agree to split up. Jessup looked everywhere, like at the Gentry Manor, he didn't know what he was looking for but he was keeping his eye out for any carved-in messages on the walls. Up ahead, Jessup sees two men painting the walls. He felt aggravated. If there were any writings on the walls, the painted most likely painted over it. Feeling defeated, he still asks the painter some questions. One of which was, have you ever seen anything strange while painting these walls? The painter, a Latino man who didn't speak much English, couldn't respond. At that moment, Jessup called for Calas, who was Mexican.

Calas translated the question to the Painter, "Have you seen anything strange while painting these walls?" In Spanish, he replies "Only that one wall at the other side. Had some type of writing on it. Not graffiti. It was scratched in. Took a lot of coats to cover it." Calas, excited, ordered the Painter to immediately take him to where this message was.

The Painter took them to a plain white wall. Saying "There it is. The writing is on that wall. You're gonna have to scratch your way to it, though." Enough said.

Calas and Jessup rolled up their arms and began chipping off the paint. It's harder than it looks. But they were determined. After scratching at this wall for over an hour in the Los Santos heat, the Detectives feel winded. They need to stop and take a break. But they kept going even through the desperation thirst for cold water. Another hour goes by, Jessup gives up. He sat down under a nice shade and was offered water by the Painter. Calas, however, kept going and going and going and going... until he finally saw... the letters D and S. He continues. There's an R, there's an A, there's an H! Jessup got up and joined in the fun. They finally revealed the next clue.

"DAVID RICHARDS KNOWS"

Now we're getting somewhere.

Going back to Katherine Auburn's testimony, one of the men that was with Isaac that night was David Richards. A member of the Boulevard Trio. So far, Fred is confirmed as Fred Quincy who left with Isaac that night in 1947. After being told by gangster Nicky Haller that "the Galileo roof is one of my favorite spots." And here, at the same Galileo Roof, where possibly Isaac Bronson was killed, there's a message admitting that David Richards knows. But the trail ends there. Where do they go next?

Jessup receives a call. Here's the audio

Mystery Man: You're finding more and more pieces to the puzzle. You've gone further than anyone ever has in six decades. I've always known about this mystery my entire life. Mr. Richards admitted it to me on his deathbed. With that said, do you want the last pieces of this puzzle? Here's two. City Hall and the Oriental Theater. Look for the messages.

Mr. Gray: Another clue. This time, more direct. Jessup and Calas agree to split up to cover more ground in a short time. Jessup dropped off Calas at the Oriental Theater and made his way to City Hall.

At the Oriental Theater, Calas has some difficulties finding the clue because of how densely populated the theater is. It is a hot spot for tourism. Despite that, Calas pushes forwards. Using his intelligence to make his search. The first message at the Gentry Manor was hidden behind a bush. The second clue was a wall at the roof of the Galileo. Both locations were hidden in plain sight. Easy to miss. So, Calas has a much better idea of how to find this next clue. Calas looks ahead and sees palm trees serving as decorations for the exterior. It is placed at a corner on both sides of the court. But, on the right side, something caught his eyes. Next to the poster for the upcoming film "The Eagle" is the next clue. Though it looked faded because of the numerous coats of paint, Calas was able to make out the message.

"AIN'T NO MYSTERY. THEY DROWNED HER BECAUSE OF WHAT SHE KNEW."

Who's "Her?"

Calas doesn't wait a single second, he calls Jessup and tells him about the clue.

Calas: I found it! I f*cking found it.
Jessup: What does it say?
Calas: Ain't no mystery. They drowned her because of what she knew.
Jessup: Her? There's another vic?
Calas: That's what it looks like. Did you find your clue?
Jessup: I think so. Give me a minute. [Long pause] I got it. Hidden in plain sight.
Calas: They all are.
Jessup: Okay, it says "Fred makes cartoons for kids. Funny thing considering what he hid.
Calas: This sh*t is just getting deeper and deeper.
Jessup: So what now?
Calas: Hold on, I just got a text.
Jessup: Me too.

Mr. Gray: Both Detectives received the same text message from the same unknown number. The message was

"Lat: 34.23087014318365
Long: -120.40300445293245"

They are coordinates. Jessup calls his precinct and asks for the location of the coordinates. As they wait for the location, Jessup drives to the Oriental Theater to pick up Calas. The moment Calas entered Jessup's car, they got the call.

The coordinates lead to the Zancudo River off the coast of Fort Zancudo and the Zancudo Bridge in Blaine County. They quickly rush there. On the way there, Calas calls in for an emergency rescue boat at those coordinates and scuba gear. The location was a good three-hour drive for the Detectives. Thankfully, by the time they got there, local Los Santos and Blaine County Sheriffs provided Jessup and Calas with everything they needed.

The search continues. They drive the boat directly over the coordinates that were sent to them by the Mystery Man. Jessup and Calas gear up and dive down. As soon as they hit the water, they can see it. Another piece of the puzzle. Swimming further down, they find an answer to the question, "Who is Her?"

She is under the water. Bound by cement shoes and a brown cloth bag covering her face. Now there are two bodies in one mystery. They are close. Close to closing a 67-year cold case.

Days go by and there is a strange silence. The Mystery Man hasn't called, and the Jane Doe has yet to be identified. Suddenly, at the Rockford Hills Police Precinct, an envelope was dropped off the front desk by an unknown man. It was addressed-

"From M.M. to Jessup and Calas."

And on the back of the envelope was written

"Her name was Maureen Shannon"

Inside the envelope was a letter. It was an older letter written in 1949 to David Richards from Fred Quincy. It reads-

Vinewood,

August 14th, 1949

Dear David,

I think by now you know that I made some mistakes I mean, we all have. We are flawed men, and me, who has focused so much on perfection, perhaps the most flawed of all.

I know you know the whole story, or enough of it, and I am sure you must be sick to your stomach with me, but let me ask you, what choice did I have? To have some strumpet, good for nothing three dollar whore behind a type writer threaten me and my legacy! It was the best choice I could have made. It was the only choice I could have made. And I know it was an ugly choice but that is the problem with sin. Sin begets sin, and my sins have multiplied.

I know you know the business about Isaac. Well, that was a couple of years ago and things were just getting back to normal. Nobody knew about it. Just you, me, my lawyers, Abe Schwartzman over at Browne Canyon, nobody who didn't have their own, perhaps more allegorical skeletons in the closet. Isaac betrayed me, in the worst way possible. Not that business with Maureen. The honest truth is that when I met her she was turning tricks to buy hot dogs, so what could I expect? No, Isaac betrayed me in the worst way possible. He did not give his all on the Bip The Dog movie. I warned him, but I knew he was already flirting with Abe about a live action gig at BC. He even shot a short for him. On my film stock. I'd been drinking and we got into it. We've all done it. I buried him in mine up in the hills, then called Abe and offered him a deal to forget about Isaac. Abe's made a few mistakes himself, including that nasty business with the busboy, so he shut up, as far as I know.

I hope you understand how much I value our friendship, and trust nothing would ever encourage you to gossip inappropriately about me. Let me be quite frank for a second. Were you to do that, well, clearly I am quite prepared to make difficult decisions and I'd make them again. But just to solidify what has always been a very important relationship to me, I wanted to help you out of sport of bother. Freds will buy a 5% stale in Richards Majestic for $450,000. We both know this is significantly over market rate and we both know that this ties us together, as the brothers we truly are. You're a talented man who needs to get back to doing what he does best. Less of this artistic nonsense. Action, and plenty of it. When people think of Richards Majestic they think broads, hoods and Tommy Guns. So give them what they want.

We make dreams come true. It's an incredible responsibility.

Your friend.

Fred Quincy

Mr. Gray: And with that, this case is finally closed. Fred Quincy murdered both Isaac Bronson and Maureen Shannon. Over anger. It only goes to show that Vinewood will forever and always be the land of secrets and sick people with money.

Thanks to the investigation, Maureen Shannon's family was found in Florida and was given some closure. She was only 24-years-old. A young secretary with dreams, whose life was taken because of what she knew. A tragic event, certainly. But she can now rest. As well as Isaac. Both bodies were given proper burials provided by the city of Los Santos.

The same day it was announced in the news that Isaac and Maureen were given proper burials, Katherine Auburn passed away in her sleep that same night. She held on until the case was solved and she was able to die peacefully.

As for the Mystery Man, he was never revealed. A movie was made about this case and it premiered in 2019 on the fifth anniversary of the closing of the case. In the credits, Solomon Richards was credited as the Mystery Man. But there wasn't a Mystery Man in the entire movie.

Could it be? Maybe, maybe not. He's done his job.

That wraps up today's episode. I hope you enjoyed listening to this as I did creating it for you, the viewer. To Isaac and Maureen, may they rest in peace. Tune in next time for another episode of Eyes Wide Unseeing. Until then, this is Mr. Gray fading into the darkness.

[Play Theme Song]

Edited March 10, 2022 by Francesco Bonomo

March 4, 2022

Not half bad, I was expecting the ending, after reading a bit over halfway, but it was a fun read regardless. It' s like, a modern noir/NBC-esque detective show parody. I wonder what you got in stock for the more uh "hood" aspects of the setting of L.S

(Even if there's very little of it in the base game)

PS: There's a couple of typos, here's instead of hers, probably autocorrect at work, give it a second looksie, just in case.

March 10, 2022

I have made the proper corrections and added links to the episode. I am happy to see that people are enjoying the podcast. It's super fun to make and I will continue to make more episodes for a very long time.

Now for a quick update: Episode 2 is now in the works and everything is going well. If you enjoyed the suspense of Episode 1, Episode 2 will surpass that. It will premier a week from today.

@Datalvarezguy I'm glad you enjoyed it. There will be some "Hood" episodes on this show. Trust me on that.

And I welcome any and all ideas for episodes. I will say this, I believe Episode 8 will be a fan favorite. Just wait and see.

March 11, 2022

I actually thought this would be a podcast. Would you consider making one?

March 11, 2022

16 hours ago, The Notorious MOB said:

I actually thought this would be a podcast. Would you consider making one?

I've thought about it. It's not definite but it is a possibility I will actually make this into a legit podcast. Only time will tell.

March 22, 2022

Almost a week late on the second episode man. What gives?

March 22, 2022

Hope ye aight, First ep was cool AF!

March 31, 2022

SEASON ONE EPISODE TWO: The Snowman Killer: Terror in the Midwest

Mr. Gray: Before you take another step, please note that you will be stepping into the known unknown abyss of espionage, deceit, and lies coming to light. Hear what we say but understand nothing. Nod your head, yes, when you understand the risks but make no movement. Look into the secret files that have been hidden from the public for years and decades, even centuries... but see nothing. Do you follow? Good. Once you cross the threshold of secrets, there is no turning back. With that said, welcome to Eyes Wide Unseeing.

[Play Theme Song Now]

Mr. Gray: On the cold evening of Monday, January 5th of the year 1984, a suspicious-looking 18-wheeler is being pulled over on South College Road by FIB Special Agent, Lawrence Hughes. The truck was seen approaching the town of Ludendorff, North Yankton from the west. Coming home from a long trip from Kenway. Agent Hughes slowly approached the driver-side window, with the rest of the agents inspecting the trailer for anything out of the ordinary. The driver and owner of the truck was a well-known local named Wayne Abernathy. 37 years of age, born and raised in Ludendorff, been a truck driver for 13 years, and possibly... is the infamous Snowman Killer.

In January of 1981, in the Ludendorff area, near the North Yankton/Mohanet border, there was a multitude of snowmen as far as the eye can see. They were everywhere. The children would live out the innocence of their youth, creating snowmen. Parents would also join in on the fun. To a point where the entire city of Ludendorff would be taken over by snowmen. A joyous era, it was. And with the cold climate that engulfs North Yankton, the snowmen would stand, majestically, for months until the Summer came.

In May of 1981, the snowmen began to melt as the temperatures increase. A sad sight, but it was the indication that Summer is here and the people are ready to enjoy it. By the end of the month of May, all snowmen were melted, leaving behind puddles of water... and dead bodies.

As the snowmen melted, more and more people were starting to realize that some of these snowmen actually contained dead bodies. Some of them were reported missing in the prior year.

Melissa Brewster, age 23, was reported missing in December of 1980. She was found inside a half-melted snowman in Orbison Park in the Meadow Park neighborhood; dead with her eyes surgically removed and replaced with actual buttons. A dreadful sight. Absolutely horrendous. But it didn't end there.

David Berkson, age 36, was reported missing in December 1980, as well. He was found in the snowman that was placed on the front lawn of his residence on 417 Camden Drive South in the Clinton neighborhood. Like Melissa Brewster, his eyes were surgically removed and replaced with buttons. And even worse.

Christina Stromer, age 20, a young native of Ludendorff who was a college student of Vespucci University in Liberty City, was reported missing in early December 1980 after visiting family during her break. She was found in a snowman on the recreational grounds of North Yankton State University. With the same Modus Operandi.

It became official, Ludendorff has a serial killer on the loose.

Ludendorff Sheriffs searched every snowman for more victims but only found those three. Either because there were only three victims, or they were three out of many outside of their jurisdiction. A terrifying thought. The search continued but there weren't any more victims. To put the public at ease, Mayor Frank Chester announced that Ludendorff wasn't in any more danger. Although the public agreed and continued on with their lives, there was always doubt.

Everyone's lives continued for the remainder of 1981. They had a great Summer, a beautiful Fall, and a wonderful Winter. But just before Christmas, Snowmen started to appear in Ludendorff. The police were called immediately to check on them. Upon further investigation, the police confirmed that they were just normal snowmen. From that day onwards, not a single snowman was built in the area. By May of 1982, there wasn't a single corpse found in the area. Everyone rejoiced. Which was good for Ludendorff, but bad for MacCallister, a smaller town one hour and a half West of Ludendorff. It was confirmed five corpses were found inside snowmen around the town. All with the same MO. The madness didn't stop, it continued in another location.

This Unknown Subject or Unsub, doesn't like to utilize the same location twice. He/she needed a new canvass to show their "art." It's very clear that the Unsub is disturbed but what is not clear is the pattern. In no way are the victims related in any way. The victims range from the ages of 23 to 41. Both male and female. The only connection that they have is that they were all reported missing months prior. In the months of November and December. But this time, neither of them were locals.

Joseph Mitchell, age 41, a labor worker from Harmony, North Yankton, was reported missing November of 1981.

Lana Carrington, age 27, a young mother from Nuville, Marquetteson, reported missing a week before Christmas 1981.

Samuel Flemming, Age 40, an Insurance salesman from Mohanapolis, Mohanet, reported missing the same time as Lana Carrington.

Lastly, Jonathan and Leigh Stroud, both age 35, were never seen again after going on a trip to Mohanapolis from their native Winnebago, Marquetteson. Reported missing in mid-November 1981.

All five were found stuffed in snowmen in the town of MacCallister. With the news breaking the media, a federal investigation commenced. This is the very first investigation conducted by the Behavior Analysis Unit in 1982.

The year is now 1983, and the entire Midwest trembles in fear as the colder months approach. A nationwide public service announcement was aired November 1st, 1982. Pleading with Midwesterners to stay indoors. And if they must leave the safety of their home, to travel in groups and be on full alert of their surroundings. The motto "Don't be the next Snowman" took over the radio waves for the coming months.

Special Agent Lawrence Hughes of the BAU released half of a profile to all Police departments in the states: Marquetteson, Mohanet, North Yankton, Malta, Robada, and Kenway.

Here is the profile. Shown to the public for the first time since 1983.

"Our Unsub, or Unknown Subject, is male. The recklessness of the crimes committed shows brashness and anger. But the removal of the eyes indicates that he feels guilt for what he's doing. Doesn't like to be seen doing his deeds. Another aspect of the profile is the location. In '81, the victims were natives of Ludendorff and were left in Ludendorff. In '82, the victims were from different towns and were left in MacCallister. The connection in this is that each location runs along Interstate 452. That is no coincidence. Our Unsub seems to travel back and forth on I-452 with frequency. Possibly a truck driver. We suspect that our Unsub is from Ludendorff. He has shown indications that he doesn't want to be seen. He will probably run at the first sense of danger. Pursue with discretion. He will not make himself seem like the killer. Look for truck drivers that frequent I-452 and are from Ludendorff."

Mr. Gray: The search for the Unsub was unsuccessful as reports of missing persons were being announced throughout the remainder of the year. And as the BAU profile deducted, the place of residence of each missing person is from towns that run along I-452 throughout three states. But the Snowman killer has upped his ante, a total of 12 people, all along Route 452, were reported missing. At this point, the FBI has to wait for the Snowmen to appear. Because they were now at a dead end.

January 1984, the first two snowmen are found in a town called Yosemite in Malta, along I-452. The next set was placed a few hours East. Three were placed in the town of Foster and another two were placed in a small town called Tulip. He is setting them up faster than the police can find them. When one is found, four have been set up. He has perfected his method and is much more efficient.

By the time the victims were found in Tulip, another four were placed in the town of Houghton, North Yankton. It became clear, he was going East and will most likely place a snowman in his hometown, Ludendorff. The investigators quickly made their way there to cut him off. Sure enough, a black 18-wheeler is seen approaching Ludendorff from the west. The officers and Agents quickly move in against him. After surrounding the truck, they finally apprehend him. 37-year-old Wayne Abernathy. Ludendorff native, truck driver, coming from Tundra, Kenway following I-452. The Snowman Killer is caught.

Traffic was held up on I-452, many cars and trucks and even a National Trailway Dashound Bus were halted. But despite that, the civilians understood. With the heavy Police presence and the panic of a serial killer on the loose, the Snowman Killer was caught. The people of the Midwest can rest easy now.

Wayne Abernathy pleaded with the police, saying he was not the killer. But they weren't going to give him the chance. All the evidence points to him, so he is confirmed to be the killer.

Only one man stood by his side. His younger brother, John Abernathy, also pleaded with the police and the public to let Wayne go. However, no one else in the Abernathy family shared the same ideology. It was the brothers' word against the entire Midwest.

After a three-month-long trial, Wayne Charles Abernathy was found guilty and sentenced to life in Death Row until it was time for the execution. The people smiled and applauded. Everyone celebrated. The Snowman Killer is no more. But only Wayne's brother, John, started to cry. Wayne shed immense tears as he was being taken away. He never admitted to doing the killings. He always claimed his innocence and his brother protested the same.

April 8th, 1984, Wayne Abernathy begins his first day on Death Row at the Brimstone Correctional Center in Brimstone, Iroquois. Placed in an 8-by-8 cell, next to Jack Hugh Penney; The Killer Clown. There is where Wayne will live out the next 14 years of his life, in solitary.

March 13th, 1998, it was time for Wayne to be executed. He would be the last inmate to get executed by the electric chair. His final meal was a family-sized order of mashed potatoes, country-fried steak, macaroni and cheese, with a large vanilla milkshake with extra whipped cream from the Southern Roadhouse in his hometown, Ludendorff, North Yankton.

By 8:33 PM, he was strapped onto the electric chair. He closed his eyes and took in the words of prayer provided by Father James Applewhite, whom he had befriended. The executioner was Officer Dave Yarbrough. Before pulling the lever to commence the electrical current, he asked Wayne, "Any last words?"

To the small crowd watching the execution from the other side of a glass pane, Wayne looked towards them, with a tear running down his face, he says "I'm innocent. You got the wrong guy."

Yarbrough pulls the lever. After 8 minutes of the electric shocks killing him slowly, Wayne Abernathy is dead.

Fast forward to the year 2011, FIB Special Agent, Lawrence Hughes, now retired, decides to go back to the case. Ever since Wayne's last words, Lawrence felt uneasy about how the cased finally closed. What if we did get the wrong man? Curiosity struck.

Here is an excerpt from his book, Snowstorm-

"I felt his life escape his body on that electric chair in 1998. I kept my composure all throughout, but behind the façade was a broken man. I felt, deep down, that we made a mistake. I wanted to bring this attention to my superiors later that year and the year after, but I was shot down each time. It wasn't until I retired in 2008 that I was able to free myself from the restraints and I could finally gain access to this case. It was easier said than done. The files were buried deep in the FIB's abyss, under layers and layers of red tape and classified documents. Why go to such great lengths to keep this case covered? What was it they didn't want us to know? I became obsessed. In 2011, my wife and I moved to East Island, Liberty State. To a beautiful home in Van Nostrand. Only a 50-minute drive to Columbus Avenue in Algonquin, Liberty City. Where the IAA office was located. It was with them, that I would gain access to the files of this case. Their methods were certainly unorthodox but they were helpful. What was found, changed my entire perspective on every case I've been on."

Mr. Gray: It was revealed, Wayne Abernathy was not the Snowman Killer. In fact, the FIB had already pinned someone else as the actual killer. Thanks to the newer more advanced technology that didn't exist in 1984, the real killer was discovered in 2014. Thirty years after Wayne Abernathy was WRONGFULLY sent to prison.

The real killer... is named... John Abernathy. Wayne Abernathy's younger brother.

Looking back at all the evidence, it only looked like Wayne was the killer because he was a truck driver. It made more sense for him to be the killer, right? At least that is what the agents thought back in the 1980s. In actuality, John was the real Snowman Killer. And his history only proves it.

Unlike Wayne, John was born in the town of MacCallister in 1951. He is the son of Gordon Abernathy and Silvia Mueller. Gordon Abernathy had split up with his wife, Pamela Johns, Wayne Abernathy's mother, the year prior. When John was five years old, Gordon and Pamela got back together and eventually got married in 1959, raising John in Ludendorff from that point onwards.

Throughout his adolescence, John expressed aggression towards the pets of other people. Most notably, his neighbor's dog; which he poisoned and hid in his fort made of snow. Later in life, in his teen years, he planned on killing his bully, Charles Wiltshire, by stabbing him with his father's Swiss Army knife. His plans were halted by his older brother, Wayne, who was his only friend. John was a social outcast with a lot of aggression, whereas Wayne was a social butterfly. But Wayne was always there for John, no matter what. Their parents never found out about John's desire to cause onto others because Wayne would cover for him. Sometimes, even taking the blame. He would never admit that his brother was mentally disturbed.

In 1980, John and Wayne went to a bar in Downtown Ludendorff to celebrate John getting his commercial license and getting a job with the National Trailway Dashound Company. The night was going great, at first. But then a situation disrupted the night. John gets into a fistfight with a patron of the bar. The patron's name was David Berkson. Yes, one of the first victims. The fight was over a young woman who lead John on. Her name was Melissa Brewster, also one of the first victims. Apparently, it was her eyes that had John enamored. But we have also discovered, earlier that day, John was expecting to see his girlfriend, but she had to change plans. That's where his frustration started. His girlfriend, was Christina Stromer, also one of the first three victims.

The connections were all there.

All first three victims were people that angered John Abernathy in 1980. But why kill them? Initially, John killed David Berkson in a drug-fueled rage in December 1980. Stabbing him with his father's Swiss army knife. The same one he planned on using on Charles Wiltshire many years in the past. In that same rage, he sought Melissa Brewster in her home and strangled her.

Afterward, he dragged both bodies to his garage, where he was discovered by his girlfriend, Christina. She was petrified and ran away. But, John, still in his drug-fueled rage, ran after her and killed her.

John, full of adrenaline, went the extra mile. He looked into Melissa's green eyes, the same eyes he was enamored with, and began surgically removing them with construction tools. He, then, repeated the process with the other two. And there he was, covered in blood with eyeballs on the cold garage floor. John has calmed down and begins panicking after realizing what he did. He needed to clean up the scene and get rid of the bodies. But the snow was piled up 5 feet outside. His only solution was to stuff them in snowmen that he built. Once the bodies were mostly covered, he sewed buttons on the eye sockets of the victims.

Once he covered their heads with snowmen's heads, he realized that this is the happiest he's ever been. And continued his reign of terror until 1984. Using his occupation as a bus driver, driving up and down I-452, to look for new victims and transport them using the bus's suitcase compartment

After his brother Wayne was accused of being the Snowman Killer, John stopped killing. That was up until he relapsed and killed a young teenage boy after he raped him in Ludendorff. His body... was in the process of turning into a Snowman but he was finally caught by security cameras from his neighbor's home in 2014.

His arrest was quiet, though. Not a single segment about this arrest was presented in the news. Why? Because the FIB couldn't bear the embarrassment of arresting and executing the wrong man.

John Abernathy is now serving a life sentence in maximum security in Solitary Confinement.

And with that being said, this episode is now at its ending.

Thank you all so much for the support I have received from the first episode. I do apologize for the delay for I was going through a lot of things in my personal life but I am back now. And I'm not going anywhere.

There will be another episode posted soon to make up for the delay. Stay tuned for that. Until then, this is Mr. Gray, fading into darkness.

Theme Song

Edited March 31, 2022 by Francesco Bonomo

March 31, 2022

I do apologize for all the errors on the latest episode. I will fix them all today after I get some sleep.

March 31, 2022

2 minutes ago, Francesco Bonomo said:

I do apologize for all the errors on the latest episode. I will fix them all today after I get some sleep.

Glad to see you back man. Was a bit afraid you'd just dropped off the face of the earth after your speedy dissapereance.

March 31, 2022

10 hours ago, Datalvarezguy said:

Glad to see you back man. Was a bit afraid you'd just dropped off the face of the earth after your speedy dissapereance.

No need to worry. I was going through a lot in my personal life. Thankfully everything is good now and I'm back to work.

With that said, I have fixed the errors on the new episode. Hopefully, I got all of them. Enjoy!

May 24, 2022

SEASON ONE EPISODE THREE: He Was Once, a King: Who Killed Frank "Bats" Reisner?

Mr. Gray: Before you take another step, please note that you will be stepping into the known unknown abyss of espionage, deceit, and lies coming to light. Hear what we say but understand nothing. Nod your head, yes, when you understand the risks but make no movement. Look into the secret files that have been hidden from the public for years and decades, even centuries... but see nothing. Do you follow? Good. Once you cross the threshold of secrets, there is no turning back. With that said, welcome to Eyes Wide Unseeing.

[Play Theme Song Now]

Mr. Gray: It was a quiet night at the Reisner Estate in Rockford Hills, San Andreas. June 20th, 1947 at 10:23 PM, a tired Frank Reisner is sitting on his expensive couch with the windows open to let in a nice breeze into the high-temperature mansion. He plays his favorite recordMam'selle by Frank Sinatra, and drinks a serving of bourbon on the rocks. He sits back with his eyes closed, thinking of his success with the Pink Swan Hotel and Casino that he helped develop in 1946. He sat there, a rich man. With a net worth of what would be 20 million dollars in current times. From the day the Pink Swan doors opened to this night, he felt like a king. Nothing can spoil this feeling... except a bullet. Which is what he would receive moments later. A loud shot was heard from one of the open windows, and inside the mansion, was Frank Reisner; dead. No one has ever revealed who was the shooter and who placed the order. Was it the Mafia? Owners of other casinos? Or even the police themselves? We have the answer here.

Born at the Schottler Hospital in 1906, Frank Reisner lived his entire childhood and adolescence in the Broker borough of Liberty City; Mainly in the BOABO neighborhood. At the time, BOABO was named Duncanhurst. The name BOABO wasn't coined until 1978. Son of Ashkenazi Jews who emigrated from Austria-Hungary, the Reisner family lived in the predominantly Jewish section of Duncanhurst, in the Northern part of the neighborhood.

As a boy, Reisner left school and joined a local youth gang in his neighborhood called The Creek Street Gang. He committed many thefts, making very little money. But his life would change after he met Lou Hoffmann, who would introduce him to the Black Hand method. Around the same time, Reisner befriended Antoni Bogdanovic, better known as Tony Dano, who would be immortalized in La Cosa Nostra as The Mob's Accountant. Together, they established a profitable protection racket in Northern Duncanhurst, and Reisner would soon build up a lengthy criminal record that included armed robbery, extortion, and murder.

In 1920, Reisner and Dano formed a protective society called The Tony and Bats Mob, basing themselves in upper Duncanhurst. They would defend the local Jewish youth's from the various Irish and Italian gangs that surrounded them. The Mob would take in many members of the Creek Street Gang such as Herman "Black Hand" Lithgow, Wilheim "Bill Orbach" Auerbach, Dennis "Buckshot" Rosen, and more.

The Tony and Bats Mob would battle many different gangs in Lower East Side Broker. However, they would find themselves feuding with the Five Corners Gang from the Five Corners neighborhood in Algonquin, which is now known as City Hall. The Five Corners neighborhood was the epicenter for crime and indulgence. The Five Corners neighborhood consisted of these streets; Green Street (now Liberty Lane), Iron Street (now Calcium Street), River Street and Castle Street (both are now Denver Ave.) (image)

If you wish to hear an episode based on the history of the Five Corners, comment down below.

Now, what would a large gang from lower Algonquin be doing battling with a much smaller gang from Lower Broker? The quick answer, Tony and Bats were on the fast rise at the time of the Five Corners Gang decline. By 1920, many members of the Five Corners Gang would branch off and establish their own crews around the city. One of them was Vincenzo "Vinny" Lucara. Lucara formed his crew of thugs in the Hove Beach neighborhood of Broker. He was already a prominent member of the Five Corners Gang. One of his thugs attacked a pushcart vendor in Rotterdam Hill, which was Tony and Bat's territory. News of the attack made it to Bats Reisner first, and he responded by getting a crew together and vandalizing various shops in Hove Beach that were under Vinny Lucara's protection.

Instead of retaliating, Lucara decided to have a meeting with Tony and Bat's. The meeting took place in an Italian restaurant called Uscire dagli Affari on Tulsa Street in Hove Beach. Back when Hove Beach had a massive Italian community. Lucara, Tony, and Bat's settled on a partnership between the two gangs. Allowing Tony and Bat's to gain access to the more lucrative aspects of the criminal underworld.

Thanks to the new partnership, Tony and Bat's began trafficking illegal liquor in late 1920. With Prohibition kicking off a year prior, the market for booze was very demanding. Many gangs were in it but did not have a proper system to sustain themselves financially. But, the Lucara, Tony, and Bat's Trio figured it out and mastered the art of selling booze.

Vinny had the proper connections. With being associates of Malachi "Lackey" Galloway, Empire County's corrupt Treasurer; and Al Greenstein, known as "The Fixer", a professional gambler, racketeer, and crime boss in Empire City. Allegedly fixed the 1919 World Series. Paying big money to the Champaign Gray Legs to "throw" the game so the Quincitti Browns can win. Lucara knew the right people. But Tony Dano knew numbers. He kept accounts on all sales.

What was Reisner's role? Simple. He was the muscle and the Mob's hitman. If it's one thing Bats knew how to do well, was be the muscle. He was fearless, capable, and strong. He had a reputation for having a very short temper. Growing up, people described him as "Bat-sh*t crazy." Which gave him the nickname "Bats" that he grew to hate.

The Lucara, Dano, and Reisner Trio became big earners and have caught the attention of the Mafia. Still, in the beginning stages of their organized crime career, there was another addition to the group. Lucara's right-hand man, Joe Castiglia. They continued to build up their empire in Broker while generating a massive amount of money. Eventually, they partnered up with Alderney City's Liquor and Slot Machine Crime Boss, Ruben Zalinsky.

The gang handled protection, murder, and illegal gambling. They were also enforcers of Castiglia in both Liberty City and Cottonmouth. They were ultimately responsible for helping to destroy or subordinate by assassination and political bribery for most of the Italian-American gangs.

Was the gang violent? By all means, yes. And Reisner was the overseer. The gang was making a name for themselves in the underworld, and the Liberty City Police heard it. They described the gang as "vicious" but the only aggressor they saw was Frank "Bats" Reisner. They pinned him as a Menace to Society. Responsible for beatings and murders. Reading from an actual statement from LCPD Broker Officer, Bill Whitely

"Mr. Reisner seems to have genuine enjoyment being violent. He gets his kicks from beating people and killing them. A man who, surely, has no moral compass within him. In other words, a typical Duncanhurst thug."

Reisner was also a childhood friend of Jimmy Gavone. Even though Gavone was a South Slopes residence, he and Reisner often found themselves in the same locations around Broker. Establishing a friendship between the two. It was rumored that there was once a warrant for Gavone's arrest in his teenage years but Reisner offered his home to hide out in. Helping Gavone avoid jail.

In 1927, Reisner got involved in drug trafficking; Opium. Being a semi-user himself, he flaunted his money greatly. Even purchasing a lavish home in East Island and wearing the finest tailored made suits.

In 1929, Reisner partook in the great Empire City Conference. Where many crime bosses across the United States of America, attended this three-day organized crime conference. The top organizers of this conference were Vinny Lucara, Tony Dano, Bats Reisner, and Joe Castiglia; with Lacky Galloway being the host of the entire event.

I will mention all those who attended the conference.

From Liberty City's Mastriano Crime Family who would become the Pavano Crime Family- Vincenzo "Vinny" Lucara, Joseph Castiglia, Vito Marano AKA Vito Ildio The Gentleman Bootlegger, Gaetano "Tommy" Pavano, and Salvatore Barbieri, the family's Lieutenant from Alderney.

Also from Liberty City, the Anguilo Crime Family, the predecessor to the Gambetti Crime Family- Samuel "Sonny" LoSpecchio, Henry Gatto, Carlo Paghelia, and Luca Gambetti.

And from Bohan, The Colletti Crime Family, the predecessor to the Lupisella Crime Family, represented by Vincent Lupisella and Tommy Gun Guarino.

Naturally, the Tony and Bats Mob was present. But they weren't the only Jewish Mob present. David "Levi" Epstein and George "Mush" Taruta were representing their own outfit, the Epstein/Taruta Mob from Lower Algonquin. Another Jewish Mob that was present and accounted for was the Caan Gang from Bohan, represented by its leader, Simon Finklestein AKA Dewey Caan. Ruben Zalinsky, from Alderney City, was present. And Roy Mueller, who attended for Al "The Fixer" Greenstein.

English-born Irish Gangster, Harlen Rooney, who ran an outfit of Irish mobsters out of Purgatory, Algonquin, was also present at the conference. Fun fact, where Bahama Mama's now stands, on the corner of West Way and Frankfurt, used to be The Capital Club during Prohibition. A club Harlen Rooney ran up until his exile.

That's it for the Liberty City and Alderney participants.

There were many more participants from other states. For instance, from the Champaign/Caesar area, The Champaign South Side Gang. Represented by Broker's own, Jimmy Gavone and Russell Zito. No relation to Roy Zito.

The Drescher Mob from Pendencia, represented by the Boss, Gordon Drescher.

From Shreveport, The Fairview Mob, represented by Little John Zalisk.

From Carcer City, The Carcer River Gang, represented by Andrew Kimmel.

From Wichita City, Federico "Derick" Sartoro representing the Sartoro Crime Family.

From New England, Russian-born Jewish boss, Michael Alexander, from Lincoln.

Alfredo "Freddy the Crab" Caccio, who ran the North Side Lincoln Crew for the Salemi Family.

Louie Zaninno, Boss of the Zaninno Family from Blackstone Bay, Slater Island.

From the beautiful city of Saint's Bay, Tequesta; Americo Sarrante Sr. The Underboss for the Santangelo Crime Family.

And last, but certainly not least, from Cottonmouth, Cavalier. Where the American Mafia was born. Giuseppe "Cottonmouth Joe" Terrasini, the Boss of the Aniello Crime Family.

The three-day conference was held at the Viceroy Hotel and Resort. It was there that the future of the modern-day organized crime network, La Cosa Nostra was established among the Italian and Sicilian families. And a strong alliance was established with the Irish and Jewish Mobs.

Reisner made a statement that remains a criminal underworld motto to this day, "The Yids, the Micks, and the Dagos will no longer fight each other."

After the conference, Reisner's status grew from Mob Boss to criminal Rockefeller.

In 1931, Reisner along with three others; Vito Ildio, Tommy Pavano, and Carlo Paghelia, were allegedly the four gunmen that killed Calogero "Calo Capi" Mastriano under orders of Vinny Lucara. Resulting in the ending of the year-long Broker War.

September of that same year, Lucara hired the services of Reisner, Paghelia, Ildio, and Pavano once again. This time, to kill the self-appointed Capo dei Capi, Antonio Agrigento. Establishing Lucara's rise to power and marking the beginning of modern-day Cosa Nostra.

It was then that, with the help of the newly formed Commission, The Assassin Company was formed, with Reisner and Dano controlling the criminal phenomenon. In 1932, Reisner and Dano passed control of The Company to Levi Epstein and Carlo Paghelia. But Reisner would continue to work as a hitman. For sh*ts and giggles.

During a Summer's night of drinking and partying at the Majestic Hotel penthouse, an argument ensued between Reisner and the Bonfiore Brothers, who were associates of Gordon Drescher from Pendencia. It was indicated that this would be the beginning of a war between the two factions.

The Bonfiore brothers, Giorgi and Federico, were hired by Drescher after it was revealed that Tony Dano handed the IRS information leading to Drescher's arrest in 1933. During that time, the Drescher Mob and the Tony and Bat's Mob would trade blows.

There were many attempts on Reisner's life but he proved to be dangerous and untouchable. So the Dreschers decided it was best to go about his war differently. The Majestic Hotel, where the beef started, belonged to Reisner. It was his passion project, and it was heavily secured. The Bonfiore Brothers managed to get through the security and ignite a bomb on the hotel's fifth floor. Closing it down.

Reisner, filled with rage, hunted down the Bonfiore Brothers and each and every Drescher associate in Liberty City. Federico Bonfiore was shot in the head twice by Reisner and his crew while Federico was ambushed on Earp Street in Broker, December 1933. Giorgi Bonfiore was captured by Reisner's associates as he was trying to flee the city by boat. He was found in an alley off Trenton Avenue in Dukes with many stab wounds, January 1934.

In 1935, Reisner became a mediator for the alliance between Vinny Lucara and Dewey Caan.

Needless to say, by age 29, Bats Reisner has achieved legendary status and was a top figure in organized crime. With men of honor, ages 40 and up, giving this young man such a level of respect it would have taken decades for an ordinary man to gain such a level. But Bats had it by 29 years old.

Another reputation he had was that of a womanizer. In 1929, he married his childhood sweetheart, Carol "Kitty" Hesseman. Together, they had two daughters. But it was later revealed, also in 1929, that Reisner had an estranged son from Anita Hansdorff, a dancer from The Capital Club. A club Reisner frequented, owned by Harlen Rooney.

During his marriage, Reisner has had many affairs across the US. Many of those affairs were woman of high status. Like Beverly Shelby, who was considered Vinewoodlands Most Beautiful and Talented Actress. As well as, Tamara Houser. An organized crime figure from Muskogee with strong connections to Jimmy Gavone and the Champaign Outfit. She was nicknamed "The Queen of the Mob" at one point.

All throughout the 1930's, Reisner would continue to rise up in the criminal underworld. Living the lavish style he was known for.

But, while at the Schottler Hospital for his yearly check-up, he learned from one of his associates that he was in danger. His enemies learned about his yearly check-ups and it was rumored that they were going to use that to their advantage to finally kill Reisner.

In 1939, Vinny Lucara and Tony Dano sent Reisner to San Andreas. He has traveled to the west coast several times since 1933. In San Andreas, Reisner would develop numerous gambling rackets along with the help of Los Santos Crime Family Boss, Johnny Politto.

Reisner also employed Nicky Haller as his Chief Lieutenant.

He had everything he needed to run one of the most lucrative gambling rackets in the country. With the money he made from that, Reisner would buy more muscle in Los Santos and would take over the Numbers racket and, with the money provided by the Syndicate, Reisner would set up a drug trade route from Mexico with the wire services that was run by the Champaign Outfit.

In a matter of a couple of years, the bookmaking wire operations would generate half a million dollars a day.

While he ran this multi-million dollar empire, Reisner would mingle with Vinewoodland's many stars. He was welcomed into the highest circles. Legendary actress and sex symbol, Harley Gray, was a friend of Reisner and godmother to his daughter, Annabelle.

Reisner purchased a lavish home in Rockford Hills and would throw the biggest parties. He gained the admiration of big names like John Fontaine, James Black, and Frank Sinatra.

Aside from Vinewoodland stars, Reisner would meet men of politics from other countries. Most notably, Benito Mussolini in 1938. Reisner offered to sell Mussolini weapons. It is unclear if Mussolini accepted or not.

That same year, Reisner would meet Nazi leaders, Wilhelm Kruger and Gustav Berkel. Reisner took an instant dislike towards both Nazi leaders and offered to kill both of them. But he was halted in his plans as he was told by Countess Sofia lo Cassio, and I quote "that would start a global war." End quote.

Of course, she did not know that a global war would commence a year later, anyway.

Back in Vinewoodland, Reisner would work with the Syndicate to form illegal rackets. He extorted movie studios by taking over local trade unions and staging strikes to force studios to pay him off in order to get the unions to work again. He would also "borrow" money from celebrities, knowing they wouldn't ask for the money back out of fear. He would accumulate more than $400,000 in loans.

From 1939 to 1944, Reisner would be sent to trial four times for crimes such as extortion, robbery, conspiracy, and murder. And each time, he was acquitted of all charges.

The year is now 1946, Reisner, due to his issues with the Champaign Outfit, would lose control of the Frontier Press Wire Service and his percentage from the race wire bets would be given to Johnny Politto. This would infuriate Reisner. But despite that, he would continue to control several offshore casinos and a major prostitution ring. And his relationships with politicians, lobbyists, attorneys, businessmen, and accountants would remain intact.

One day, Reisner, Tamara Houser, and Nicky Haller all took a trip in Reisner's brand new 1946 Coquette and traveled east on Route 51 towards Robada.

After driving for two hours, they made it to the desert town of Las Venturas. Reisner and Houser got into an argument. Reisner was so frustrated, that he pulled over and exited his car, and walked into the sands. It was there that a vision came to him. A haven filled with casinos and hotels. Like Empire City, except, it's a year-round tourist attraction thanks to the great weather. As opposed to Empire City, which only has good weather a few months a year.

Reisner rushed back to the car and exclaimed to Nicky Haller, and I quote "I got it! It came to me in a vision. I can convert this small town into a money-making machine with casinos and hotels," End quote.

Nicky Haller, confused by this sudden change of character, questioned Reisner and his vision. He asked, "What do you mean?"

Reisner looked around and said "A town. No, a city, filled with casinos. A place you can see from miles away from the lights. Resorts with the finest pools and the coldest drinks. People coming in from all over the country to spend their money here. A gamblers haven. Never mind Empire City. This is it."

After meeting with Vinny Lucara and Tony Dano in Havana, Cuba, after Lucara was deported; they agreed to help fund the construction for Reisner's vision.

Before building his dream casino, Reisner purchased a hotel on Staunton Street called La Primera for $600,000. His plans to expand his operations were constantly halted by corrupt city officials who have grown a strong dislike for Reisner. Realizing he couldn't conduct business in a legit manner, he had no choice but to go about it another way.

Before Reisner came to the small desert town of Las Venturas, someone else owned the land Reisner wanted. His name was Arthur James Kimber. He was best known as "Matches" because of his well-known party trick he did involving booze and a match.

Kimber first purchased the land in 1940, occupying 40 acres of land at just $8 per acre. He, then, sold the land to Caroline Greeves, A Madame from Enterrado, Primavera, for $7,500. But it was for nothing, it seems. Greeves sold the land to Richard Nash, the founder of The Vinewood Journal and the owner of the famous Club Eclipse which is now Tequi-la-la.

Nash would build the El Dorado Venturas and The Gold Mine. Two full-service hotel-casinos that would establish the world-renowned, Las Venturas Strip. Nash had ideas for "The Pink Swan" and requested that the hotel would be designed differently from the smaller sawdust joints on Staunton Street. He planned luxurious rooms, a spa, a health club, a showroom, a golf course, a nightclub, an upscale restaurant, and a French-style casino. Hiring the finest architects on the West Coast, Nash would use all of his sources to finish the project. But there was one issue, Nash found him half a million dollars short and he had leveraged all of his sources of income and paymasters. He sought new financing. A phone call to Frank Reisner was made.

Nash agreed to make Reisner and his partner's owners of two-thirds of The Pink Swan.

Of course, Reisner took over the final phases of the construction and would convince his partners, such as Tony Dano, to invest in the project. The costs of the construction continued to rise and Reisner grew more impatient. But he was relentless in completing and opening The Pink Swan.

Finally, on December 26th, 1946, The Pink Swan opened its doors. The project was finally complete but Reisner had put over 6 million dollars into it. It was billed as "The West's Greatest Resort Hotel." The biggest names in Vinewood would become frequent visitors to the Casino.

From December 1946 to March 1947, Reisner felt like a real king. Running the biggest casino in the West, he felt untouchable. But that feeling would only last three months. In mid-March, according to the books, The Pink Swan was hundreds of thousands of dollars in the red. Barely profiting. And with Reisner not paying back the loans from The Commission yet, he felt cornered. The Pink Swan had to close its doors.

He spoke with Tony Dano and Lucara to give him another chance by fronting him another loan, with the promise that he will make changes to the casino and will turn a profit soon. They agreed and another loan of 3 million was sent to him.

Reisner paid for renovations and good public press. Even hiring new staff. The Pink Swan would open its doors again, this time, Reisner made Tony Dano an official silent partner of the operation. In a month's time, The Pink Swan would be beginning to turn a profit. With the proper management. But by then, The Commission grew tired of waiting for Reisner to pay back his loans which was now at 9, almost 10 million dollars.

Time was running out for Reisner, but he would carve his name into Las Venturas' history as The King.

On the night of June 20th, 1947, Reisner was at his home in Rockford Hills. Sitting on his couch, listening to music and enjoying the slight breeze coming from the open window in front of him. While having his last sip of bourbon on the rocks, the sound of a gun is heard very close by and Frank Reisner lays dead on his couch with a bullet wound to his head. Frank Reisner was only 41 years old.

We are approaching the 75th anniversary of Reisner's death and yet, there hasn't been a single name confirmed as the killer. Who killed Frank "Bats" Reisner? We have the answer to that question.

Before the reveal, let's go over what we know already. We know that the weapon used to kill Reisner was a .30 caliber M1 Carbine, military issue. So who was the shooter? Better yet, who hired the shooter?

A meeting was held in Havana, Cuba in 1946 with the Board of Directors of La Cosa Nostra. It was believed that Reisner's own friends, Vinny Lucara and Tony Dano, agreed to put a hit on Reisner for his excessive spending of the Mob's money. Another theory was that the shooter was the husband of one of Reisner's lovers and killed him out of anger. Another theory, going hand and hand with Lucara and Dano setting up a contract on Reisner's life, an associate for the Mulberry and Pendencia Crime Family, Robert "Bobby Irish" Devlin, was hired by Tony Dano himself to kill Reisner. Devlin was in WW2 and had a lot of skills when it came to rifles and snipers, like a .30 caliber M1 Carbine.

All believable theories but are they true? The quick answer is... yes and no.

Here is the truth.

In 1939, when Reisner first came to Los Santos, he quickly established himself as the Top Dog. And with Nicky Haller under him, Reisner was untouchable. But the problem was, Los Santos had two very violent Jewish gangsters that were loyal to each other and they couldn't be touched. Making things very difficult for La Cosa Nostra.

Haller backed up Reisner in everything he did. His loyalty was incorruptible. He would kill for Reisner at any time. And that was a fact that was overlooked when the Havana Meeting in 1946 took place. That theory is true, Lucara and Dano agreed that Reisner had to go. And that they would be very careful hiring the shooter. It wasn't public knowledge until after Reisner was murdered.

In 1946, Tony Dano actually hired Carlo Paghelia, an old friend and killer for The Assassin Company. By 1946, Paghelia had become the Underboss for, what is now, the Gambetti Crime Family. Although Dano suggested Verrastro hired someone he trusted, he decided to do the hit himself.

Stating "Reisner is my friend. If he has to go, I'd rather do it so he dies quickly instead of suffering."

In early June, 1947, Dano met with Paghelia again to confirm that the hit has to happen fast. Paghelia scheduled the hit for June 23rd. But Reisner would be killed on June 20th. Why is that? Was there another shooter? There was. And that shooter's name was Bernard "Buster" Murphy; an LSPD Officer who was in WW2, like Robert Devlin.

But why?

The Chief of Los Santos Police Department, at the time, was Clarence H. Worrell. His term as Chief began in 1941. He was corrupted by organized crime for many years before and after he became Chief. Over the years as Chief, he would hand-select certain officers and set up a secret unit of corrupt officers that would do dirty work for the Mob in Los Santos, San Fierro, and Las Venturas. Dano has spoken to Paghelia about the hit already in early June 1947, but a couple of days before Reisner's murder, a phone call from Liberty City was made to Worrell. The call was a green light to kill Reisner, whom Worrell had issues with already.

Among his unit of corrupt officers was Buster Murphy. Joined the LSPD after coming home from the War. He was given medals for his efforts. He specialized in long-distance kills. His most preferred weapon was the .30 caliber M1 Carbine. The LSPD had one as evidence but came up "missing" before Reisner's murder.

Murphy made his way to Reisner's Rockford Hills home and waited outside his home for hours. Reisner wasn't home until 10 PM. When Reisner opened the window to his living room, that became Murphy's window of opportunity, no pun intended.

Murphy aimed and shot Reisner multiple times, killing him instantly. He, then, remained hidden in the dark until the police arrived and he would pose as an officer along with them. He had his police uniform on already.

It was the perfect hit and no one was ever arrested. Buster Murphy died of old age in 2013. His last words were "Guess I'll be seeing Reisner now. He's been waiting for me since 1947." No one in his family knew why he said that. But thanks to our data researchers, we were able to put two and two together.

June 20th, 1947 may have been the end of Reisner's life but his legacy continues. Las Venturas is what it is now because of him. And it was his ideology that inspired Tony Dano to send Pendencia Mob Boss, John Buono, to London in the 1960's to partner up with the Crowe Brothers to make London, the Las Venturas of the U.K. and Europe.

In conclusion, Frank Reisner lived a lifetime as a Gangster Rockefeller by age 41. Leaving behind a mark on organized crime history. His name will always be remembered as Frank "Bats" Reisner, The Original King of Las Venturas.

That wraps up today's episode. I hope you enjoyed listening to this as I did creating it for you, the viewer. Tune in next time for another episode of Eyes Wide Unseeing. Until then, this is Mr. Gray fading into the darkness.

[Play Theme Song]

Edited May 24, 2022 by Francesco Bonomo

May 25, 2022

Sick new chapter man, took me a couple of hours to get through with stops but it was worth it. I can see you did some good research for this, lots of names I recognize, some from fiction, some from reality, some from both.

I read it without the hyperlinks at first, so I had to give it a second look, but one thing I didn't get, why did the LSPD target Reisner? I mean it seemed like the mob booked two hits for the same guy, unless I'm missing out something and It was a different section of the mob I mixed it with.

May 25, 2022

4 hours ago, Datalvarezguy said:

Sick new chapter man, took me a couple of hours to get through with stops but it was worth it. I can see you did some good research for this, lots of names I recognize, some from fiction, some from reality, some from both.

I read it without the hyperlinks at first, so I had to give it a second look, but one thing I didn't get, why did the LSPD target Reisner? I mean it seemed like the mob booked two hits for the same guy, unless I'm missing out something and It was a different section of the mob I mixed it with.

I am very happy that you enjoyed it. The research I did for this episode was the reason why it took long to post. That, and also, I'm making plans to making this into an actual podcast and uploading to youtube.

And to clear up your confusion, here is a bonus for this episode. An excerpt from the book "Society of Honor and Blood: The Rise and Fall of La Cosa Nostra." A story written by Jerome Mandelbaum, former investigative reporter for The Liberty Tree.

"You take care of Bats, I'll see to it that you get Sonny's seat when the time comes." Tony Dano explained to Carlo Paghelia. Carlo was already the Underboss for the LoSpecchio Family in 1947, but he had his avaricious eyes on the prize for a number of years. After acknowledging that the Board of Directors of La Cosa Nostra was displeased with LoSpecchio's performance as Boss as of late, Paghelia saw this as his opportunity. They were friends, Paghelia and Reisner. Since before their Assassin Company days. But this life of supposed honor among thieves has proven to always have been perfidious. The fact that a high position in a criminal phenomenon is worth taking the life of someone you, once, called "friend," shows that this life is no life at all. Only limbo.high-ranking

Carlo, playing an actor in his own film, responds to Tony Dano with a straight but vague comment. "Reisner is my friend. If he has to go, I'd rather do it so he dies quickly instead of suffering."

He vows to have the hit done by the 23rd, which was a Monday. But instead of having to go all the way across the country to kill his good friend in the name of La Cosa Nostra, Carlo places a call to Los Santos Chief of Police Clarence H. Worrell to have the job done sooner. Carlo has always been anxious to have hits done sooner, rather than later.

Frank Reisner was scheduled to die on the 23rd of June, 1947 at the hands of his good friend, Carlo Paghelia. Instead, Carlo had him killed sooner as he lounged in the comfort of his home on East Island. Next door to where Reisner once lived. June 20th, 1947 at 10 PM was when the gunshot, heard by the entire underworld, fired; Killing Frank Reisner. Leaving his body to slouch over his couch, staining his expensive suit with his blood. Then a strange silence ensued once the realization settled. If someone like Bats can get whacked that easily, then any high ranking mafioso can be next and no one would bat an eye.

May 25, 2022

9 minutes ago, Francesco Bonomo said:

I am very happy that you enjoyed it. The research I did for this episode was the reason why it took long to post. That, and also, I'm making plans to making this into an actual podcast and uploading to youtube.

And to clear up your confusion, here is a bonus for this episode. An excerpt from the book "Society of Honor and Blood: The Rise and Fall of La Cosa Nostra." A story written by Jerome Mandelbaum, former investigative reporter for The Liberty Tree.

"You take care of Bats, I'll see to it that you get Sonny's seat when the time comes." Tony Dano explained to Carlo Paghelia. Carlo was already the Underboss for the LoSpecchio Family in 1947, but he had his avaricious eyes on the prize for a number of years. After acknowledging that the Board of Directors of La Cosa Nostra was displeased with LoSpecchio's performance as Boss as of late, Paghelia saw this as his opportunity. They were friends, Paghelia and Reisner. Since before their Assassin Company days. But this life of supposed honor among thieves has proven to always have been perfidious. The fact that a high position in a criminal phenomenon is worth taking the life of someone you, once, called "friend," shows that this life is no life at all. Only limbo.high-ranking

Carlo, playing an actor in his own film, responds to Tony Dano with a straight but vague comment. "Reisner is my friend. If he has to go, I'd rather do it so he dies quickly instead of suffering."

He vows to have the hit done by the 23rd, which was a Monday. But instead of having to go all the way across the country to kill his good friend in the name of La Cosa Nostra, Carlo places a call to Los Santos Chief of Police Clarence H. Worrell to have the job done sooner. Carlo has always been anxious to have hits done sooner, rather than later.

Frank Reisner was scheduled to die on the 23rd of June, 1947 at the hands of his good friend, Carlo Paghelia. Instead, Carlo had him killed sooner as he lounged in the comfort of his home on East Island. Next door to where Reisner once lived. June 20th, 1947 at 10 PM was when the gunshot, heard by the entire underworld, fired; Killing Frank Reisner. Leaving his body to slouch over his couch, staining his expensive suit with his blood. Then a strange silence ensued once the realization settled. If someone like Bats can get whacked that easily, then any high ranking mafioso can be next and no one would bat an eye.

Now I get it, also nice addition. Thanks!

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