Due to the graphic nature of this killer's crimes, listener discretion is advised.

This episode includes discussions of drug use, murder, child murder, child sexual abuse, rape and assault.

We advise extreme caution for children under 13.

On a Friday afternoon in April 1997,

Ernesto Medina shuffled around the house, tidying up ahead of the weekend.

Meanwhile, his stepson, ten-year-old Anthony and six-year-old son Marcos were playing with some friends behind their apartment complex.

Ernesto's family had lived in Beaumont, California for years and knew most of their neighbors.

And while it was a generally safe area, Ernesto was comforted by the distant sound of his boy's laughter as it drifted through the screen door.

Or at least, he had been comforted by it.

It had been a few minutes since he had last heard a peep out of his kids.

Things had gone quiet.

Too quiet.

A little worried, Ernesto stopped what he was doing and headed towards the front door to check on Anthony and Marcos.

That's when an ear-splitting scream ripped through the silence.

Recognizing Anthony's cry, Ernesto was struck by a sickening jolt of adrenaline.

He sprinted outside and saw Marcos hobbling towards him.

The six-year-old was covered in dirt and missing a shoe.

He looked like he'd been beaten badly.

And Anthony was nowhere to be seen.

Hi, I'm Greg Poulson.

This is serial killers, a Spotify original from Parkhast.

Every episode, we dive into the minds and madness of serial killers.

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