TLDR;
The mockumentary recounts the chilling case of a serial killer, Leslie Sykes, who terrorized San Bernardino, California, with occult-themed murders spanning from 1993 to 2011. The investigation, led by Detective Joseph Kirby, uncovers a series of increasingly gruesome crimes linked by a mysterious occult symbol and the alias "Mr. Shiny." Sykes's motives appear tied to a rare planetary alignment and a belief in a deity named Azragor, culminating in a final act involving a baby sacrifice. Despite being killed, Sykes leaves a haunting message suggesting his evil will return.
- The killer, Leslie Sykes, was active from 1993 to 2011.
- The murders were linked by an occult symbol and the alias "Mr. Shiny."
- Sykes's motives were tied to a planetary alignment and a deity named Azragor.
The Initial Murders and the Return of Mr. Shiny [0:20]
In San Bernardino, California, Detective Joseph Kirby recounts a series of disturbing events beginning in 1993 with the brutal murder of a woman named Shiffra, found dismembered in the National Forest. The suspect, registered as Albert Shiny, vanishes without a trace. A year later, an elderly man is found murdered in his home, followed by the disappearance of a 12-year-old boy in 1995, whose body is later discovered with his liver removed. A letter from "Mr. Shiny" details the murders and ominously states his return. Fifteen years later, in 2010, the Sheridan family is found murdered with the same occult symbol present, signaling the return of the killer after a long hiatus.
Escalation of the Investigation and New Victims [4:16]
The investigation intensifies after the Sheridan family murders, with each victim meticulously placed and marked. Another letter arrives, claiming the "harvest has begun." A jogger discovers a decapitated head arranged in the occult symbol, leading to the identification of Tamara as the victim and her boyfriend, Glen, as a survivor with severe burns. The police investigate Victor Shamaz, whose truck was seen near the crime scene, but he is eventually cleared. Another victim, Dennis Zhao, is found dead in an abandoned swimming pool, his blood drained by leeches, with the occult symbol formed by the leech bites.
Homer Johnson and the Discovery of Leslie Sykes [7:52]
The police interview a homeless man named Homer Johnson, who unknowingly had contact with the killer, leading them to a house rented under the name Albert Shiny. A telescope found at the residence yields a fingerprint matching a partial print from the 1995 murder, identifying the suspect as Leslie Sykes. Sykes has no criminal record, employment history, or bank account. The police release his picture to the public, but Sykes responds with another mocking letter, claiming five more murders are needed.
Victoria's Attack and the Hospital Murder [9:52]
Sykes attacks a 16-year-old girl named Victoria, who is recording a makeup tutorial. He draws the occult symbol on the wall and performs a ritual over her. Victoria survives the initial attack but is later killed in the hospital when Sykes, disguised as a nurse, adds industrial cleaner to her blood transfusion bag. Public outrage ensues, and the police offer a reward for information about Sykes.
Sykes's Past and the Murder at the Donut Shop [11:29]
The police investigate Sykes's past, finding a former acquaintance named Jared Kelly, who describes Sykes as a withdrawn individual who had a religious experience in a cave. Another murder occurs at a doughnut shop, where Leo Deetz is found stabbed with his heart removed. A security guard, Saroj Mallick, notes Sykes's license plate before he flees. The police discover that Sykes traveled to the Middle East and Europe after disappearing in 1995.
The Historian, the Blood Eagle, and the Ophiuchus Constellation [13:30]
A historian reveals that Sykes tried to buy a rare book about witchcraft from him. Saroj Mallick, the security guard, is found murdered in a playground, displayed in the "blood eagle" position. The police find a DVD of Sykes torturing Saroj. They discover that Sykes was observing the Ophiuchus constellation, also known as the Thirteenth Sign of the Zodiac, which aligns with the killer's occult symbol.
The Storage Unit and the Final Act [15:19]
The police find a storage unit containing Sykes's hazmat suit and human remains from his victims, along with detailed files and documentation of the murders. Sykes breaks into a couple's house, kills them, and takes their baby. The police realize the significance of the date, May 13th, 2011, the day the planetary alignment is supposed to occur.
The Climax and Sykes's Demise [16:33]
The police find Sykes's abandoned vehicle near the location where his first victim was discovered. They locate a cabin where Sykes has lobotomized a man and is preparing to sacrifice the baby. Kirby and Taylor arrive, shooting Sykes dead and saving the infant. Sykes's body vanishes and is later found in a creek, consumed by leeches. A final letter from Sykes claims the harvest season will return, possibly in 800 years.
