Notorious Danbury murder cases had links to the

occult

A Ritual Expert Was Brought In To Discuss The Serial Murders

in the Florida Keys

Excerpt from Law and Order Magazine, PLEA Issue 6 June 2,

2019

Transcript:

“These things aren’t like other killings. They aren’t central to just one location, just one area,” he told us. “They’re spread out. They’re dangerous. And they’re difficult to stop.” Florida is known for its sun, surf, and red solo cups. It’s a raging place for teens to rush during summer break and equally as popular to the elderly during their retirement years. But it’s neither the young nor the old that have been drawn to these sunny shores this week – it’s the deranged. Earlier this week, Inspector Mark Dowdy of Danbury announced that yet another family was found dead. Over the last month, victims killed in a similar nature have been found scattered across the state. When questioned if this was the work of a serial killer, Inspector Dowdy responded, “No, no, this isn’t a serial killer. You can find patterns when it comes to them. Reasons they’re doing the deed, things that connect the victims. But this? The only thing connecting these people are the symbols.” Strange symbols have been found on the walls of the murder scenes. They do not appear to be a message left from a known modern language. Several old languages have been cross referenced as well. The only result to have come up during this search is one that can be found on the pages of the Book of Gates; this tome was found at the scene of the most recent murder, furthering the connection between the two. When this was brought up to Inspector Dowdy, he deigned not to answer. As such, we have turned to someone with more willingness to speak and more knowledge on the subject – Jesse Reynolds. Now, Jesse Reynolds is a specialist when it comes to ritualistic murders. She’s been working with the police for several years now on the very cases centering on the Book of Gates. Our exclusive interview has been condensed for this issue: OP – Okay, Jesse. Now, it’s not that common to see a woman like you in this line of work. Or, I guess, it’s not that common to see anyone in this line of work. What got you interested in rituals and the murders they inspire? Jesse – Well, you know, I was a Religious Studies major right out of college the first time I even realized this was a thing. You know, outside of movies and books and the like. There was one in the college town I lived in. A real nasty piece of work but – you know, fresh from college, head in the clouds, I saw something in one of those pictures that the newspaper published and thought to myself, you know, I could really make a go from this type of work. OP – Fascinating. So a local murder inspired you to help stop others. Tell me, with what you know of the murders happening now, do you see that first case playing out here? Copy of the "A Commentary on the Book of Gates" (1st Edition) Title Page and Ambroise Image of Oxford Professor Jebidiah Ethan Smith. Taken about 1868. From the rare edition. Jesse – Oh, no, not at all. That first case, it was about The First Gods . His name was Bennett Franklin. Average man. Worked at a chemical company. Single. Not a fringe type. He had a Xerox copy of a rare book. What book? He tells me, something called "A Commentary on the Book of Gates" by 19th century Oxford Professor Jebidiah E. Smith. I've heard of this book. Heard something about it. A book dealer told him that it was dangerous. And ....of course approximately six months later Bennett committed the murders.” OP – Please elaborate. Jesse – First, it’s a different religion. Different thoughts, goals, that sort of bit. But, you know, there’s also the fact that things are just portrayed differently. Whoever did this, he was smart, not angry. And there weren’t any connecting points between the victims. They weren’t all – well, you know, they weren’t all of a certain gender, or race, or socio-economic standing. OP – But there was a madness behind it. Jesse – Bennett said that Smith’s writings pointed to an especially dark purpose. In his case, he actually was - see, he intended to sacrifice, at least two - two of his family members. Bennett said. “He wrote . . . ‘Hail Yidath, I shall offer up my mother and sister, to the First Gods.’” He didn’t write that after the murders, he wrote that some time prior to the murders. So, Bennett had an intention, according to this document, to offer his mother and his sister to Yidath. OP – Much like a cult. What was his inspiration? Jesse – When questioned, Bennett explained that "A Commentary on the Book of Gates" by 19th century Oxford Professor Jebidiah E Smith was a popular book when it came to occult teachings. Hard to get your hands on, and full of detailed teachings about a place called Yidath, said to exist several billions of years in the past, where the Old Gods ruled. Bennett said "A Commentary on the Book of Gates" was found among Bennett’s writings and drawings after the murders. All the documents pointed toward him having a hand in the occult, in worshipping Yidath and the Old Gods. OP – But the Commentary was not the actual Book of Gates? Jesse – No. The actual book was unreadable. Something called the Seer Stone of Dloth was needed to read it at certain times during a celestial event called "The Circle of Eternity". The book has incantations and material in it that would allow an individual of like mind to go off into some type of spirit world. But more than that, it's said that there are spells in it, things that can summon monsters into this world. Dangerous. The book's dangerous. Even if you don't believe in the unknown and the evil, it's easy to see how it can warp the mind of someone that's impressionable. It shouldn't exist. It was evil. Too evil. OP – So do you believe the Book of Gates has some authenticity with scholars? Jesse – The book has been derided by some as a work of fiction and a hoax, not a spell book. Smith referred to it in the Commentary and claimed it was actually created centuries before by an unknown prophet, that it's a translation of a ancient tablets dated and simply called the Book of Gates. OP – Why the Book of Gates? Jesse – Smith explained in the Commentary that the book was intended to open 'doors'. Doors to the past that allowed the First Gods and the ancient races from Yidath to travel to the future for humans who would be foolish enough to open them. OP – So what are your honest thoughts on the matter? Jesse – My thoughts, well, there’s a lot we’re still looking into. A lot we still haven’t figured out, you know? The Circle of Eternity, that’s an astrological event, that had happened last year...it happened every 1000 years. That's when the Book of Gates could be used. The the Seer Stones of Dloth would appear. And the murders, they’re very similar to ones we’ve seen before. OP – Before? Jesse – Yes. Several murders occurred and were reviewed by the Rhode Island Police regarding four cases that seemed to be related to the Book of Gates. A scholar was called in to advise the police on the cult facts related to the case. Last I heard, he, too, had vanished. When questioned on these previous murders, Jesse informed me that she was unable to discuss them in detail, as they are still active cases. She did, however, have this last bit to say on the matter. Jesse – You know, there is one other thing I find peculiar. Those symbols, no one has been able to figure out what they mean just yet. But – and here’s the strange peculiar bit – the Book of Gates features those symbols on some of its pages. That book also talks about the First Gods. So we could theorize, if we wanted too, that these have been sacrifices of sorts. There’s not much known about any of these First Gods other than has been written in Smith's "A Commentary on the Book of Gates." Not much text on them ha survived the years. But they have a strong connection to those books, and it’s the belief in those Old Gods we have to fear. After speaking to this ritual expert, I suppose there’s not much else that can be done. The police can offer no advice outside of be careful and there’s no clue as to what the murder or murderers, might look like. But it does give us something to think about…and perhaps a book that we should try to get our hands on, while everything plays out around us. This article excerpt was reprinted by permission from Law and Order Magazine.