Vanessa Richardson

In his interviews, Israel talks about the courier's murders in graphic detail. You can hear the tape in Josh's podcast, True Crime Bullshit. It's chilling to listen to. Josh describes Israel's demeanor during the confession.

In his interviews, Israel talks about the courier's murders in graphic detail. You can hear the tape in Josh's podcast, True Crime Bullshit. It's chilling to listen to. Josh describes Israel's demeanor during the confession.

Israel tells the FBI about the courier's murders because, in his mind, they're going to connect the dots anyway. He made mistakes. He didn't burn the house down with their bodies in it. He left behind pools of Bill's blood, as well as those ammo shells. If he's going down, he might as well get something out of it. In exchange for his confession, FBI agents give Israel a cigar to smoke.

Israel tells the FBI about the courier's murders because, in his mind, they're going to connect the dots anyway. He made mistakes. He didn't burn the house down with their bodies in it. He left behind pools of Bill's blood, as well as those ammo shells. If he's going down, he might as well get something out of it. In exchange for his confession, FBI agents give Israel a cigar to smoke.

From his behavior, it's clear Israel still feels in control.

From his behavior, it's clear Israel still feels in control.

Despite the mistakes Israel made with the couriers, their case hasn't quite been resolved in the way you might expect. No one, it seems, entered the abandoned farmhouse after that night. By the time the FBI arrived, it had been demolished.

Despite the mistakes Israel made with the couriers, their case hasn't quite been resolved in the way you might expect. No one, it seems, entered the abandoned farmhouse after that night. By the time the FBI arrived, it had been demolished.

They remember the smell distinctly, but it wouldn't have been unusual for a small injured animal to wander inside and die.

They remember the smell distinctly, but it wouldn't have been unusual for a small injured animal to wander inside and die.

The FBI is confident Israel was responsible for their deaths.

The FBI is confident Israel was responsible for their deaths.

Israel was wrong. The FBI might never have connected him to the Currier's murders if he didn't confess. And once that realization sinks in, Israel becomes less willing to talk. He only discusses a handful of his other crimes in any detail. He stops short of discussing any more killings. But the FBI baits him with more presence.

Israel was wrong. The FBI might never have connected him to the Currier's murders if he didn't confess. And once that realization sinks in, Israel becomes less willing to talk. He only discusses a handful of his other crimes in any detail. He stops short of discussing any more killings. But the FBI baits him with more presence.

like candy bars, Americanos, access to the internet, and, according to Maureen Callahan, the author of American Predator, a subscription to the New York Times delivered to his cell daily. In July 2012, after a few months spent in the Alaskan penitentiary, Israel opens up about his first ever attempted murder. He was living in Maupin, Oregon at the time, and so was his family.

like candy bars, Americanos, access to the internet, and, according to Maureen Callahan, the author of American Predator, a subscription to the New York Times delivered to his cell daily. In July 2012, after a few months spent in the Alaskan penitentiary, Israel opens up about his first ever attempted murder. He was living in Maupin, Oregon at the time, and so was his family.

He was 18 or 19 and grappling with violent urges and existential thoughts. He wasn't connecting with his family's religious practices. Given his inner demons, what he'd later call his black heart, he thought he might identify with Satanism. He'd eventually go so far as to brand an upside-down cross on his chest and tattoo a pentagram on the back of his neck.

He was 18 or 19 and grappling with violent urges and existential thoughts. He wasn't connecting with his family's religious practices. Given his inner demons, what he'd later call his black heart, he thought he might identify with Satanism. He'd eventually go so far as to brand an upside-down cross on his chest and tattoo a pentagram on the back of his neck.

But that summer, he selects a location along the Deschutes River for his first-ever satanic ritual.

But that summer, he selects a location along the Deschutes River for his first-ever satanic ritual.