To protect the privacy of my former coworkers and extended Wesson family members, I used a handful of pseudonyms, which are marked with asterisks so the reader can distinguish them from the others.
This project would not have been possible without the help, cooperation, and support of dozens of people:
To Caitlin Rother, whose stellar research methods, work ethic, and penchant for accuracy are second to none. I am proud of what we have accomplished together.
To my agent Janet Reid, who believed in this story from the start, and made sure we found the best way to tell it. Because of you, and Abby Zidle from Pocket, an inspirational message of hope has come out of this horrible tragedy. Caitlin would also like to thank agent Stephany Evans and Gary Heidt.
To Carol Uchita, who has always been a devoted and trusted friend to me and the Wesson women. We are forever grateful for all you have done.
To my friends and family, for being a lifeline during this process, and helping me fulfill my dream. And to my friends and coworkers at KMPH, especially Lisa Burger, for making sure I go after exclusives.
And to Attorney Phalen “Chuck” Hurewitz, for his valued advice and effort during this process, Kelly Wiefel from the Fresno County Coroner’s Office, Sherry Spears from the Fresno County Superior Court, Presiding Judge Hilary A. Chittick, Mary Calderon from the Fresno County Courts.
Marcus Wesson with his niece Rosie (left) and daughters Lise and Gypsy.
The Wesson family and their Solorio cousins at Elizabeth’s mother Rose’s home in Fresno.
The Wesson boys (left to right, back to front), Adrian, Dorian, Almae, Marcus Jr., and Serafino in Watsonville. Six years after this photo was taken, Adrian and Dorian were abandoned in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Brandy, Ruby, Sebhrenah, Gypsy, and Sofia (left to right), in the Wesson family bus, seem happy despite the stifling heat and cramped quarters.
Kiani, Sebhrenah, Rosie, Brandy, Ruby, and Sofia (left to right) in Rose’s kitchen, wearing the modest clothing that Marcus required.
Rosie, Lise, and Gypsy. Lise and Gypsy were inseparable; their cousin Rosie was Marcus’s “strong soldier.”
Jonathan, Ethan, Illabelle, and Aviv belowdecks on the family’s houseboat the Sudan. All four children were killed on March 12, 2004.
The Sudan. The girls, never allowed on deck in daylight during the school year, sometimes went weeks without seeing the sun.
Ruby (left) and Sofia, pregnant with Marcus’s children Aviv and Jonathan. When the women attempted eight years later to reclaim their children, most speculate that Marcus invoked the family suicide pact.
Sebhrenah holding her cousin Ethan with her nieces Illabelle (left) and Aviv (right). Sebhrenah was found, with gunpowder residue on her hands, on the top of the pile of those who died on March 12, 2004.
Sedona, Jeva, and Marshey. All three children were under two years old when they were murdered.
Author Alysia Sofios with Gypsy’s daughter, the first Wesson child not to be fathered by Marcus. Gypsy named her baby Alysia, after the woman who risked so much to help them.
Kiani in Alysia’s apartment. Kiani’s sunny personality helped her acclimate to a life without Marcus.
Elizabeth (left) and Rosie’s first roller-coaster ride
Little Alysia sitting at Alysia Sofios’s desk. Gypsy’s daughter brought new hope to the Wesson family.
Gypsy, Alysia, and Rosie on the Santa Cruz boardwalk
Marcus Wesson’s booking photo. (Fresno Police Department)
Marcus Wesson, following his conviction on nine counts of first-degree murder and fourteen counts of sexual abuse. Once Wesson was found guilty, the officials at San Quentin were allowed to cut off his matted dreadlocks. (California Department of Corrections)
* The names of some individuals in this book have been changed. Such names are indicated by an asterisk (*) the first time they appear.
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