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Marcus Wesson: The Horrific True Story Behind Fresno’s Worst Mass Murderer
One’s darkest fantasy is another’s horrific reality. Polygamy. Incest. Vampires. Murder. There are words you might expect to read together in the plot of a gothic horror novel, but not so long ago, in the usually quiet town of Fresno, California, those words were the headlines. What do they have to do with each other? The answer to that question is one man; Marcus Wesson. Chances are you have heard of cults, such as the Manson Family, and Jonestown, but this might be your first time reading the story of a vampire cult led by Marcus Wesson. The members of this cult were members of Wesson’s own family. This is an unsettlingly, graphic account of the real-life tragedy that took place in 2004. The details are so unbelievable, they seem like a work of fiction, yet they are all true. Perhaps you haven’t heard of this vampire cult, the murders involved, or the name Marcus Wesson, but after reading this story, you are guaranteed to never forget. Grab your copy now and enter the darkest fantasy that you won’t believe is a reality.
135 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 21, 2018
429 people are currently reading
205 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
July 3, 2019
An unsettling but fascinating account of the very messed up life of Marcus Wesson and his very own family cult.
Short, informative and horrifying, an interesting read for anyone interested in Criminal psychology, or crime in general.
It is bonkers how this situation was allowed to continue for so long until it’s tragic conclusion, and it makes for a harrowing read.
Short, informative and horrifying, an interesting read for anyone interested in Criminal psychology, or crime in general.
It is bonkers how this situation was allowed to continue for so long until it’s tragic conclusion, and it makes for a harrowing read.
July 1, 2018
While this reviewer might also be a romance author, for some reason I’ve got a passion to read True Crime books and if there’s some gory descriptive scenes in it, so much the better. A well-written expose of sadistic murderers and serial murderers seems to fascinate me, especially if the author has taken the time and effort to dwell into these individual’s childhoods and life to see if there’s been any sociological/psychological reasons to have committed these heinous acts.
For Marcus Wesson he had become a cult leader and all of his members were part of his family. To get an idea of what kind of revolting mind he was let’s started his wife, Elizabeth. Elizabeth had been a lover’s daughter who had married at the age of only 14, but whom he had started to physically abused eight before. A year later she’d made him a father several more times.
While starting out as a normal, rather clever individual, who, but because of certain news-making events and his already god-like control of his family, started progressively distrustful of the authorities. He then began to caution his family clan that they would come to scatter their family miles apart and that no one outside of the family is trustworthy. This left the only person they could entrust their lives with would be him.
With gaining their undying trust, Wesson took control of every aspect of their lives and in return they became his minions, blindly following all of his heinous commands. Regardless of who he might say to kill, from a total stranger to another member of the family, it didn’t matter, that person would be murdered; this even would mean for someone to commit suicide.
Inside his home, a home which already contained several coffins, that on that infamous March 12, 2004 day, nine members of his family were meticulously murdered, with each one having been shot in their right eye and then their bodies got simply piled on one another in a bedroom corner.
For giving his readers, and a true enthusiast like myself, an insight look into Fresno, California’s “Worst Mass Murderer”, I’ve given the author, Ryan Becker 5 STARS.
NOTE: The author has included a Bonus Book at the end of Marcus Wesson. Written with Nancy A. Veysey, the book deals with Mary Flora Bell, an eleven-year-old child who had been found guilty fifty years ago for the ruthless murders of two very young boys – murders she crimes which she perpetrated sans a single indication whatsoever of having any sort of compunction.
For Marcus Wesson he had become a cult leader and all of his members were part of his family. To get an idea of what kind of revolting mind he was let’s started his wife, Elizabeth. Elizabeth had been a lover’s daughter who had married at the age of only 14, but whom he had started to physically abused eight before. A year later she’d made him a father several more times.
While starting out as a normal, rather clever individual, who, but because of certain news-making events and his already god-like control of his family, started progressively distrustful of the authorities. He then began to caution his family clan that they would come to scatter their family miles apart and that no one outside of the family is trustworthy. This left the only person they could entrust their lives with would be him.
With gaining their undying trust, Wesson took control of every aspect of their lives and in return they became his minions, blindly following all of his heinous commands. Regardless of who he might say to kill, from a total stranger to another member of the family, it didn’t matter, that person would be murdered; this even would mean for someone to commit suicide.
Inside his home, a home which already contained several coffins, that on that infamous March 12, 2004 day, nine members of his family were meticulously murdered, with each one having been shot in their right eye and then their bodies got simply piled on one another in a bedroom corner.
For giving his readers, and a true enthusiast like myself, an insight look into Fresno, California’s “Worst Mass Murderer”, I’ve given the author, Ryan Becker 5 STARS.
NOTE: The author has included a Bonus Book at the end of Marcus Wesson. Written with Nancy A. Veysey, the book deals with Mary Flora Bell, an eleven-year-old child who had been found guilty fifty years ago for the ruthless murders of two very young boys – murders she crimes which she perpetrated sans a single indication whatsoever of having any sort of compunction.
July 6, 2018
Another great book by Ryan Becker. This book is about Marcus Wesson, who was an abusive husband and father. He had incestuous relationships with his children. During a standoff with police, he shot and killed many of his children and grandchildren. It was a horrific event by a monster. This book was well researched and stated straight and to the point. No extra "fluff" just to fill the pages. Unfortunately, there was a lot of information on this event and the monster who engineered it. I believe it is well written and one I will probably read again. I highly recommend it.
July 1, 2018
Truth is stranger than fiction
In this true crime book the authors write about Marcus Delon Wesson, a modern day wanna be Dracula Marcus starts out in a family with an abusive sadistic father and a holier than though mother. His classmates note while he is different, Marcus seemed harmless. He works briefly once leaving school and then married a much older woman whom he had a son with. Then Marcus falls for his wife's much younger daughter and thus begins a relationship of incest, domination and insanity. Marcus then "marries" this young lady who provides him with several children. At this point Marcus determines that he is king and he writes his own book of rules that allows for incest and the bearing of multiple children to fulfill his kingdom. He chooses to marry his own daughters, his nieces and then proceeds to impregnate them all. Marcus dominates his family keeping them tied to him and him alone. When two of his "wives" leave the kingdom and try to return for their children, a total annihilation occurs per his decree. This book is about a sick, twisted individual who believes that he is God and can do no wrong. You will be sickened by this disgusting creature and by the things he does to his poor abused brain washed family. A quick read that is hard to put down. Kudos to the authors.
In this true crime book the authors write about Marcus Delon Wesson, a modern day wanna be Dracula Marcus starts out in a family with an abusive sadistic father and a holier than though mother. His classmates note while he is different, Marcus seemed harmless. He works briefly once leaving school and then married a much older woman whom he had a son with. Then Marcus falls for his wife's much younger daughter and thus begins a relationship of incest, domination and insanity. Marcus then "marries" this young lady who provides him with several children. At this point Marcus determines that he is king and he writes his own book of rules that allows for incest and the bearing of multiple children to fulfill his kingdom. He chooses to marry his own daughters, his nieces and then proceeds to impregnate them all. Marcus dominates his family keeping them tied to him and him alone. When two of his "wives" leave the kingdom and try to return for their children, a total annihilation occurs per his decree. This book is about a sick, twisted individual who believes that he is God and can do no wrong. You will be sickened by this disgusting creature and by the things he does to his poor abused brain washed family. A quick read that is hard to put down. Kudos to the authors.
July 3, 2018
What a sicko!
Marcus Wesson was a sick individual! He "married" and had children with several of his own daughters. He held total control over his family, telling them that if the authorities or child protective services were called, that to avoid the children being taken from him, one he chose should kill them all. I hadn't heard of this man before and found his story interesting, though disturbing. As a bonus, you get the story of Mary Flora Bell, a child, who killed 2 little boys! Also an interesting though disturbing story. This book doesn't go into details of the murders, isn't gory or anything.
Marcus Wesson was a sick individual! He "married" and had children with several of his own daughters. He held total control over his family, telling them that if the authorities or child protective services were called, that to avoid the children being taken from him, one he chose should kill them all. I hadn't heard of this man before and found his story interesting, though disturbing. As a bonus, you get the story of Mary Flora Bell, a child, who killed 2 little boys! Also an interesting though disturbing story. This book doesn't go into details of the murders, isn't gory or anything.
July 13, 2018
Very twisted and disturbed man.
Marcus Wesson was someone that wanted everyone and everything his way and made sure by threats, intimidation and just pure evil to make it happen. Mary Bells story was tragic in that if anyone had shown her an ounce of love and kindness and had a true interest in her welfare, it could have turned out completely different. I find it difficult to think someone is born a bad seed, a lot of that is situations and life lessons that can scar an individual physiologically. Will never know if it could have been better for Mary because it was too late by the time anyone paid attention to her. Both were very good reads.
Marcus Wesson was someone that wanted everyone and everything his way and made sure by threats, intimidation and just pure evil to make it happen. Mary Bells story was tragic in that if anyone had shown her an ounce of love and kindness and had a true interest in her welfare, it could have turned out completely different. I find it difficult to think someone is born a bad seed, a lot of that is situations and life lessons that can scar an individual physiologically. Will never know if it could have been better for Mary because it was too late by the time anyone paid attention to her. Both were very good reads.
February 24, 2019
Short on Details
I realize this was somewhat of a “Readers Digest” version, however; a little more description of how the family “looked the other way” would have added so much. The kids who survived Wessons terror and moved out knew enough to stop the abuse but it took many years before anyone spoke up. I understand mind control and the power one human being can have over another. Even so, For me, a little more description of how, when and where he assaulted the various children and young relatives would have helped me understand how they would have/ could have allowed this to occur? It seems impossible for this to have gone on for so long.
I realize this was somewhat of a “Readers Digest” version, however; a little more description of how the family “looked the other way” would have added so much. The kids who survived Wessons terror and moved out knew enough to stop the abuse but it took many years before anyone spoke up. I understand mind control and the power one human being can have over another. Even so, For me, a little more description of how, when and where he assaulted the various children and young relatives would have helped me understand how they would have/ could have allowed this to occur? It seems impossible for this to have gone on for so long.
October 23, 2024
wow this guy is nuts he figured he was a vampire and jesus he married his daughters and nieces and had children with them he preached to them and talked about waco and what happened there when 2 of the girls brought the police there to get their children by wesson he had one of his daughter complete the plan he had if someone showed up to do just that and had his daughter shoot all the children than herself very interesting read on how he brain washed these women and what followed of course he didnt commit suicide someone had to be alive to tell what happened witch was him
August 11, 2018
As I read this story, I kept thinking this guy was about as demented as they come. His warped mind caused lifelong pain & suffering for family members. I'm not sure I understand how Elizabeth didn't know that something was going on in her household with all the new additions. My heart went out to the victims as I could envision the horrible scenes taking place.
August 24, 2018
Sick individual
This is a quick read. It's not as in depth as some of author's other books but once you start reading, you'll see why he chose not to be very detailed. It's the story of another person with a God complex starting a cult consisting solely of his own relatives. Even without all the sick details, this subject will make you cringe.
This is a quick read. It's not as in depth as some of author's other books but once you start reading, you'll see why he chose not to be very detailed. It's the story of another person with a God complex starting a cult consisting solely of his own relatives. Even without all the sick details, this subject will make you cringe.
January 17, 2019
Sick and horrifying POS for a father! What did mad did to his family, his children! He was totally delusional with narcissistic images of himself being Godlike!
Again, this writer is amazing and very informative. The book was over so fast due to the flow of the writing! The emotion and feelings made me feel as if I was with surviving those children!
Again, this writer is amazing and very informative. The book was over so fast due to the flow of the writing! The emotion and feelings made me feel as if I was with surviving those children!
Read
October 24, 2019What s letdown
Poorly, poorly written. It was a bit like reading "one time at band camp" as written by a high school student. Abrupt paragraphs with no details. It was more "this happened. And then this happened. And then this happened." Choppy. I have no feel for what Marcus or any of his victims were like.
Poorly, poorly written. It was a bit like reading "one time at band camp" as written by a high school student. Abrupt paragraphs with no details. It was more "this happened. And then this happened. And then this happened." Choppy. I have no feel for what Marcus or any of his victims were like.
January 8, 2021
Marcus Wesson: The Horrific True Story Behind Fresno's Worst Mass Murderer (Real Crime By Real Killers Book 6) was another good true crime story by Ryan Becker. In Fresno, California Marcus Wesson was obsessed with vampires and murder. Wesson had a vampire cult that was made up of his own family. This was a good true crime story that any true crime fan will like.
August 17, 2018
A true story of unbelievable measure. A short lesson in psychology...
Story kept me interested from the first page. It's the kind of book you don't want to put down, but read until the end.
Story kept me interested from the first page. It's the kind of book you don't want to put down, but read until the end.
October 28, 2018
Was okay
I really wish these books had pictures of the killers as well as their families.The books are good but I would like a visual. It doesn't have to be fort or anything but just pictures.
I really wish these books had pictures of the killers as well as their families.The books are good but I would like a visual. It doesn't have to be fort or anything but just pictures.
February 3, 2019
Great Details of the crime story. Well documented
It is quite a sick guy who should have not be born. Authorities should keep a track of such people, by conducting seminar on such issues in various Countryside to let people know of such people that exists around.
It is quite a sick guy who should have not be born. Authorities should keep a track of such people, by conducting seminar on such issues in various Countryside to let people know of such people that exists around.
May 2, 2019
Elementary Writing
I love true crime and was intrigued to read about Marcus Wesson. This book had good info and details, but the quality of the writing felt like it was written by a high school student. Definitely distracted me from the actual story.
I love true crime and was intrigued to read about Marcus Wesson. This book had good info and details, but the quality of the writing felt like it was written by a high school student. Definitely distracted me from the actual story.
July 9, 2018
Facinating
I didn't even know about this very horrific but I couldn't put it down wow the things people do just horrible and very very sad
I didn't even know about this very horrific but I couldn't put it down wow the things people do just horrible and very very sad
July 10, 2018
Scary that it is true
The story is gripping. And the horror of it all beyond belief. Marcus was one sick man. Worse than his hero the leader of the branch Davidians.
The story is gripping. And the horror of it all beyond belief. Marcus was one sick man. Worse than his hero the leader of the branch Davidians.
July 25, 2018
Great book
So I have to say is I love Ryan Becker! Yet again I had a hard time putting this book down!
So I have to say is I love Ryan Becker! Yet again I had a hard time putting this book down!
September 9, 2018
No words really. This story got more chilling with every page. It builds up to a nightmare conclusion I wouldn't wish on Warren Jeffs.
October 1, 2018
It was ok. What a nutter!
October 19, 2018
This is NO Jack Olsen or Ann Rule true crime book by a long shot.
March 8, 2019
I can't believe I missed this news when it happened. So many times we fail these children.
February 14, 2020
Windy
Terrible story but book doesn't have any depth. Just keeps saying the same story over and over. Probably would not recommend
Terrible story but book doesn't have any depth. Just keeps saying the same story over and over. Probably would not recommend
September 9, 2021
An intriguing read about a horrific crime located in the central California town of Fresno. I currently live 33 miles away from Fresno and had never heard of this story until I was looking at the true crime section of the library where I work. The book tells the story of Marcus Wesson, the twisted vampire cult he created, which included marrying an 8 year old, incest and having multiple children with his daughters and nieces.
Wesson was raised as a Seventh-Day Adventist and was the oldest of four children. He claimed that he was abused by his alcoholic father who eventually abandoned the family and a religious zealot mother. Wesson dropped out of high school and joined the Army where he was stationed in Europe and worked as an ambulance driver. After leaving the Army and returning to the US, he become involved with Rosemary Solorio and eventually moves in with her and her children.
During his relationship with Solorio, she gives birth to a son and he begins to start a relationship with Solorio's eight year old daughter Elizabeth. Wesson tells Solorio that God has chosen to Elizabeth to be his bride. In 1974 at the age of 27, Wesson "marries" 8 year old Elizabeth is a home wedding ceremony. At age 15, Wesson legally marries Elizabeth when she became pregnant and, four months later, she gave birth to her first child. Eventually the couple had 10 children together, though one died as an infant. One of Elizabeth's younger sisters left her own seven children with them, claiming to be unable to care for them.
Wesson sexually abused two daughters and three nieces, "marrying" in home ceremonies when they were around 7 to 9 years old. Each of the five girls became impregnated as a result of the incest. The mothers never disclosed the paternity of their children because Wesson threatened to harm them and the children if they did so. Court records indicate that Wesson fathered up to 18 children with 7 women, including the five girls.
Wesson has the family living in squalor dependent on welfare and dependent upon him and had his adult children work and give him all of their earnings. The family often lived in run-down shacks, boats, and vacant houses. Wesson also homeschools the children and teaches the children with a handwritten bible he has created in which Jesus is a vampire. He told the children that he was God and had them refer to him as "Master" or "Lord". He taught the children to be prepared for Armageddon and that the girls were destined to become Wesson's future wives.
To eliminate competition from his sons, he separates the sons from the daughters and writes a decree saying that if the sons try to start a relationship with their sisters, there would be dire consequences. Wesson has his daughters/wives wear makeup to appear pale (look more like vampires.) This story ends tragically in that Wesson has so heavily manipulated his wives and children that the children are trained to enact a murder suicide pact in the event that if government or the police intercedes, the oldest daughter kills all of the children before killing herself.
The book is informative yet terrible formatting with paragraphs and typos lead me to giving it a lower rating.
Wesson was raised as a Seventh-Day Adventist and was the oldest of four children. He claimed that he was abused by his alcoholic father who eventually abandoned the family and a religious zealot mother. Wesson dropped out of high school and joined the Army where he was stationed in Europe and worked as an ambulance driver. After leaving the Army and returning to the US, he become involved with Rosemary Solorio and eventually moves in with her and her children.
During his relationship with Solorio, she gives birth to a son and he begins to start a relationship with Solorio's eight year old daughter Elizabeth. Wesson tells Solorio that God has chosen to Elizabeth to be his bride. In 1974 at the age of 27, Wesson "marries" 8 year old Elizabeth is a home wedding ceremony. At age 15, Wesson legally marries Elizabeth when she became pregnant and, four months later, she gave birth to her first child. Eventually the couple had 10 children together, though one died as an infant. One of Elizabeth's younger sisters left her own seven children with them, claiming to be unable to care for them.
Wesson sexually abused two daughters and three nieces, "marrying" in home ceremonies when they were around 7 to 9 years old. Each of the five girls became impregnated as a result of the incest. The mothers never disclosed the paternity of their children because Wesson threatened to harm them and the children if they did so. Court records indicate that Wesson fathered up to 18 children with 7 women, including the five girls.
Wesson has the family living in squalor dependent on welfare and dependent upon him and had his adult children work and give him all of their earnings. The family often lived in run-down shacks, boats, and vacant houses. Wesson also homeschools the children and teaches the children with a handwritten bible he has created in which Jesus is a vampire. He told the children that he was God and had them refer to him as "Master" or "Lord". He taught the children to be prepared for Armageddon and that the girls were destined to become Wesson's future wives.
To eliminate competition from his sons, he separates the sons from the daughters and writes a decree saying that if the sons try to start a relationship with their sisters, there would be dire consequences. Wesson has his daughters/wives wear makeup to appear pale (look more like vampires.) This story ends tragically in that Wesson has so heavily manipulated his wives and children that the children are trained to enact a murder suicide pact in the event that if government or the police intercedes, the oldest daughter kills all of the children before killing herself.
The book is informative yet terrible formatting with paragraphs and typos lead me to giving it a lower rating.
June 29, 2018
What a story
How come I never heard of this I watch the news all the time. I love the way you write your stories even though they are true which is sad they are still entertaining in a horrible way. I would recommend your books to anyone who likes to read true crime. Thank you keep oon writing.
How come I never heard of this I watch the news all the time. I love the way you write your stories even though they are true which is sad they are still entertaining in a horrible way. I would recommend your books to anyone who likes to read true crime. Thank you keep oon writing.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews