Mason Sisk brutally shot his dad, stepmum and three siblings in the head in a case that shocked the nation and was described as being ‘draped in unmitigated evil’
In the quiet backroads of Elkmont, Alabama – population just 500 – no one expected what would become one of the most chilling family massacres in recent American history.
In 2019, Mason Sisk was a reserved 14-year-old, living with his father John, stepmother Mary, and three younger siblings – six-year-old Kane, four-year-old Rorrie, and baby Colson, just six months old.
From the outside, the Sisk family looked content. John was a car dealership technician with a passion for motorbikes. Mary, a special education teacher known for her kindness and patience, had helped raise Mason since he was a toddler. After his biological mother died, Mary stepped in and treated him as her own – even describing herself online as a proud mum of four.
But behind closed doors, signs of trouble were surfacing. Mason was causing concern – breaking into his school, reportedly torturing animals, and displaying worrying behavioural shifts. Even so, he often babysat his siblings and remained largely unnoticed by those around him.
Then, on the night of September 2, 2019, everything changed.
After a family trip to Florida, the Sisk household returned home and turned in early. Just before midnight, a call came into 911. It was Mason. He claimed there had been a shooting and said he’d been in the basement when he heard gunfire. Outside the house, he told police he’d seen a vehicle speeding away.
But inside, officers found a gruesome scene: five members of the family shot in the head, apparently as they slept. John and Kane were taken to hospital but didn’t survive. Mary, Rorrie, and Colson were pronounced dead at the scene. The infant had been cradled in his mother’s arms.
At first, Mason denied knowing anything. But detectives grew suspicious. He was the only survivor, showed little emotion, and his version of events didn’t add up. After hours of questioning, he cracked – and admitted he’d done it. He’d used a 9mm handgun stolen during the family’s Florida visit, then ditched the weapon by the roadside before calling for help.
His motive? He said he was tired of the arguments at home. As investigators dug deeper, more disturbing details emerged. He had once allegedly spiked Mary’s drink with peanut butter, knowing she was allergic. He was emotionless in custody. A probation officer noted he never spoke about his murdered family and showed no remorse.
The murders sent shockwaves through Elkmont. The family were laid to rest in private services — baby Colson buried in Mary’s arms. For her relatives, it was a loss beyond comprehension. Some had never even met the youngest child before he was taken from them.
Because of his age at the time, Mason couldn’t face the death penalty, but he was tried as an adult. His initial trial was thrown out when new evidence surfaced – messages recovered from Mary’s phone. But in 2023, the retrial went ahead, painting a picture of a teenager with severe anger issues and a calculated plan.
In court, the prosecution revealed Mason had sent chilling jailhouse messages to a girlfriend, bragging about the murders. “I killed my family in under four seconds,” he wrote. “All headshots.” He even claimed he wanted to become a contract killer. Prosecutors said he called the girl multiple times before phoning 911 the night of the killings. All five victims had been shot once – except Colson, who had been shot twice.
In April, Mason was found guilty of capital murder. At his sentencing in September, the judge spared no words: the killings were “pure evil.” With no evidence of mental illness, and no sign of remorse, he was handed life in prison without parole.
Mary’s brother gave a heartbreaking statement in court. “We brought you into our lives, our home, our family,” he said. “Mary loved you – and you repaid her with murder.”
Mason showed no reaction.
The defence insists they’ll appeal, claiming his confession was coerced. But the facts remain stark: a family of five, destroyed by one of their own. And in the quiet Alabama town where neighbours once left doors unlocked, trust may never fully return.