That he would even get 'fan mail' at all makes me cringe.
Luka Magnotta responding to 'fan mail'
Admirers are sending letters to Luka.
And, sources say, he is writing to them, too.
Locked up in Montreal’s Riviere-des-Prairies Detention Centre, murder accused Luka Magnotta is getting three square meals, medical assistance, time out of his cell, visits from family, and plenty of mail from supporters.
Dozens, if not even more.
Fan mail.
In light of him being alleged to have mailed body parts to various addresses across the country, the irony is bizarre and perhaps even disturbing.
But Quebec officials say no laws are being broken.
Either way, it turns out — as he awaits his trial for the alleged murder and dismemberment of Jun Lin — there are people fascinated and some fantasizing about Magnotta, who turned 31 on July 24.
“There is more mail coming in than you think,” said a source.
And not just from the GTA or Canada.
“From the United States and even around the world,” said a source. “It’s incredible how many people write to him and seek advice.”
Sometimes he even offers them some.
“Many people have written and talked about how much he has helped them.”
Helped them?
Magnotta handing out life advice?
“He has a compassionate side,” said John McKeller, his “friend” and one-time “modelling agent.”
“I have seen it.”
McKeller says he has also exchanged letters with Magnotta — but said he “isn’t interested” at this time in making them public.
“He’s doing OK,” said McKeller. “There is not much in the letters.”
He said the letters — both incoming and outgoing — are vetted.
While Clement Falardeau, a spokesman with the Quebec public security ministry, said there is a process to corresponding with inmates, his understanding is there is nothing in law to stop people from writing anybody incarcerated.
As for letters from admirers, McKeller said he does not think “they are coming from sincere people.”
McKeller lives in a house in the Gerrard and Broadview area where Magnotta also hung out for a number of years while he said he worked in the modelling and the gay porn movie business.
But then Magnotta left town.
“I lost touch with him for about a year and a half,” said McKeller.
Then came word of his old friend being reported as missing, wanted for the disappearance of a man from China who was in Montreal to study.
Sensational media reports covered the discovery of body parts being sent to various locations, followed by a manhunt to Europe before Magnotta was eventually arrested in Berlin.
The saga was a compelling story for both mainstream and social media. It made headlines around the world.
“It was the great shock of my life,” McKeller said. “For me, it was my 9/11.” Reporters descended on his home but McKeller said he did not talk with anyone and has not talked with media since.
Until now.
It has been almost six years since I spoke to Magnotta — when he came down to the Toronto Sun on Sept. 13, 2007, telling photographer Veronica Henri and me a desperate-like tale of wanting to shake off Internet rumours he was romantically involved with Karla Homolka.
Talking of taking a “sleeping pill,” having people out to get him, and that someone “killed my dog,” I came away from the experience thinking he seemed like the ultimate attention seeker.
However, I felt for Magnotta and was concerned about his state of mind and safety.
I didn’t foresee any of what is alleged to have transpired, just more personal problems for Magnotta.
McKeller says that while he was Magnotta’s agent, “we were also friends” and the friendship continues. He said it “bothers” him that “so many people who were his friends before have turned on him.”
The allegations against Magnotta, whose real name is Eric Newman, have not been tested in court, and he has pleaded not guilty to all charges. There is also a wide-ranging publication ban on evidence.
His legal team, which has declined all previous media requests, refused comment.
Meanwhile, Magnotta remains in the medical wing of the Montreal jail as he awaits his first-degree murder trial, which will begin next September.
He is allowed out of his locked cell for a number of hours each day into a common area where he sits alone.
Sources in Montreal say he has received visits from his mother and has been able to have conversations on the telephone with family members, including his grandmother.
In the time he has been incarcerated, a “Luka” fan site has been created online offering “tips for writing to Luka,” which includes “don’t talk about the case, be sincere and supportive” and “compliment his appearance — the most important thing to him!”
It also advises “don’t include sexually explicit material or swear words” since “it will just get blacked out” and “try to relate to him” and “tell him little things you’ve done for him, or because of him” but “don’t expect a reply” since “he gets many letters and can’t reply to them all.”
The website tipster, who has not posted since December, makes the point, “These pen-pal relationships are all he has right now.”
McKeller said there is no question Magnotta, who was famously on YouTube during his time on the run from authorities puffing on a cigarette and saying “hi to my fans,” has received letters from strangers.
“There is fame and there is being notorious,” he said. “But I think there were more letters before than now.”
But, sources say, the jail in Montreal is still receiving many letters to the accused killer.
Luka Magnotta responding to 'fan mail' | Canada | News | Toronto Sun
Luka Magnotta responding to 'fan mail'
Admirers are sending letters to Luka.
And, sources say, he is writing to them, too.
Locked up in Montreal’s Riviere-des-Prairies Detention Centre, murder accused Luka Magnotta is getting three square meals, medical assistance, time out of his cell, visits from family, and plenty of mail from supporters.
Dozens, if not even more.
Fan mail.
In light of him being alleged to have mailed body parts to various addresses across the country, the irony is bizarre and perhaps even disturbing.
But Quebec officials say no laws are being broken.
Either way, it turns out — as he awaits his trial for the alleged murder and dismemberment of Jun Lin — there are people fascinated and some fantasizing about Magnotta, who turned 31 on July 24.
“There is more mail coming in than you think,” said a source.
And not just from the GTA or Canada.
“From the United States and even around the world,” said a source. “It’s incredible how many people write to him and seek advice.”
Sometimes he even offers them some.
“Many people have written and talked about how much he has helped them.”
Helped them?
Magnotta handing out life advice?
“He has a compassionate side,” said John McKeller, his “friend” and one-time “modelling agent.”
“I have seen it.”
McKeller says he has also exchanged letters with Magnotta — but said he “isn’t interested” at this time in making them public.
“He’s doing OK,” said McKeller. “There is not much in the letters.”
He said the letters — both incoming and outgoing — are vetted.
While Clement Falardeau, a spokesman with the Quebec public security ministry, said there is a process to corresponding with inmates, his understanding is there is nothing in law to stop people from writing anybody incarcerated.
As for letters from admirers, McKeller said he does not think “they are coming from sincere people.”
McKeller lives in a house in the Gerrard and Broadview area where Magnotta also hung out for a number of years while he said he worked in the modelling and the gay porn movie business.
But then Magnotta left town.
“I lost touch with him for about a year and a half,” said McKeller.
Then came word of his old friend being reported as missing, wanted for the disappearance of a man from China who was in Montreal to study.
Sensational media reports covered the discovery of body parts being sent to various locations, followed by a manhunt to Europe before Magnotta was eventually arrested in Berlin.
The saga was a compelling story for both mainstream and social media. It made headlines around the world.
“It was the great shock of my life,” McKeller said. “For me, it was my 9/11.” Reporters descended on his home but McKeller said he did not talk with anyone and has not talked with media since.
Until now.
It has been almost six years since I spoke to Magnotta — when he came down to the Toronto Sun on Sept. 13, 2007, telling photographer Veronica Henri and me a desperate-like tale of wanting to shake off Internet rumours he was romantically involved with Karla Homolka.
Talking of taking a “sleeping pill,” having people out to get him, and that someone “killed my dog,” I came away from the experience thinking he seemed like the ultimate attention seeker.
However, I felt for Magnotta and was concerned about his state of mind and safety.
I didn’t foresee any of what is alleged to have transpired, just more personal problems for Magnotta.
McKeller says that while he was Magnotta’s agent, “we were also friends” and the friendship continues. He said it “bothers” him that “so many people who were his friends before have turned on him.”
The allegations against Magnotta, whose real name is Eric Newman, have not been tested in court, and he has pleaded not guilty to all charges. There is also a wide-ranging publication ban on evidence.
His legal team, which has declined all previous media requests, refused comment.
Meanwhile, Magnotta remains in the medical wing of the Montreal jail as he awaits his first-degree murder trial, which will begin next September.
He is allowed out of his locked cell for a number of hours each day into a common area where he sits alone.
Sources in Montreal say he has received visits from his mother and has been able to have conversations on the telephone with family members, including his grandmother.
In the time he has been incarcerated, a “Luka” fan site has been created online offering “tips for writing to Luka,” which includes “don’t talk about the case, be sincere and supportive” and “compliment his appearance — the most important thing to him!”
It also advises “don’t include sexually explicit material or swear words” since “it will just get blacked out” and “try to relate to him” and “tell him little things you’ve done for him, or because of him” but “don’t expect a reply” since “he gets many letters and can’t reply to them all.”
The website tipster, who has not posted since December, makes the point, “These pen-pal relationships are all he has right now.”
McKeller said there is no question Magnotta, who was famously on YouTube during his time on the run from authorities puffing on a cigarette and saying “hi to my fans,” has received letters from strangers.
“There is fame and there is being notorious,” he said. “But I think there were more letters before than now.”
But, sources say, the jail in Montreal is still receiving many letters to the accused killer.
Luka Magnotta responding to 'fan mail' | Canada | News | Toronto Sun
