Letters from a killer
Inside the cell of Luka Magnotta
Smoothies, suntanning, pizza parties, music, movies, fitness, facials. Hard time seems to suit murderer Luka Magnotta just fine — at least according to his jailhouse letters.
“Our doors are open 90% of the time so for me I feel like I’m in a university setting,” he wrote in one of many letters to a friend.
Magnotta is serving a life sentence with no chance of parole for 25 years for killing and hacking up Lin Jun, 33, in Montreal, then mailing his body parts across the country. These days, he mails letters, lots of them.
“He is a prolific writer of letters to friends,” explains a friend who has received personal letters and letters he was instructed to put in a stamped envelope and send to others.
In his most recent correspondence to the friend, the 33-yearold killer writes of working seven days in the prison kitchen and then relaxing with art, music, sports and reading.
“I just bought Celine Dion’s album and a lot of others. I have a stereo and a portable for when I suntan outside.”
Correctional Service of Canada would not comment on Magnotta specifically, but said in an email to the Sun that inmates are allowed certain amenities such as TVs and stereos.
Federal inmates are also allowed to wear their own clothes, “provided they are approved by the institutional head,” a spokesman wrote.
Exclusive pictures from inside prison show a relaxed Magnotta dressed in casual clothes, including a Versace shirt and stylish sunglasses, with ear buds, surrounded by other inmates, including pedophile Jonathan Lafrance-Rivard.
The pictures also show the killer posing by his artwork and posters, including one of Marilyn Monroe, on the walls of his cell, which looks more like a dorm room.
In his letters, Magnotta, who was born Eric Clint Kirk Newman, describes learning French and outlines many other educational opportunities.
If Magnotta feels any remorse for killing and dismembering Lin, he doesn’t mention it in the handwritten letters the Sun obtained.
Nor does he offer an explanation for his crimes.
In fact, he describes himself as mostly enjoying a blissful summercamp-like experience behind bars at the Archambault Institution, 40 minutes northwest of Montreal.
Sources say he was recently transferred from the medium-security prison to the maximum-security Port-Cartier prison, which a friend says he likes even more because it’s bigger and has more amenities.
Aside from complaints about some guards and doctors — and the chocolate selection — Magnotta seemed to enjoy his time at Archambault.
In fact, he ends his upbeat letters with farewell messages like: “Love Forever your delicious Little Cupcake XOXOXOXO.”
ON CHOCOLATE, VALENTINE’S DAY 2015
“So, all this chocolate for Valentines Day is ruining my diet. lol. These f-----g a------s said they would add Ferrero Rocher and they didn’t. They just want all their choices on the canteen. Some people are so f-----g selfish it piss’s me off.” He then lightened up: “I went outside and played in the snow today and made a little snowman. lol. I know it’s juvenile but it’s still fun. Same with snowball fights. hahaha. Thankfully we have hot chocolate here.”
ON PRISON FOOD
“The food here is really, really good and they serve a lot. The Italian is the best. I also love the ice cream.” On March 3, 2015, he bragged there’s “a convenience store here that is open every day that sells everything you can imagine.” The letter says he’s on a diet, so he doesn’t buy junk food. He does indulge when his friends have “pizza party night,” but says he works it off “through dancing and running.” Correctional Service of Canada said pizza is served in the kitchen occasionally, though no takeout from the outside is allowed.
ON STAFF AND DOCTORS
Magnotta’s biggest complaints were reserved for staff and doctors.
“The staff and doctors here have an extremely unhealthy obsession with my personal life. The guards are imbeciles and everyone wants to know minute sexual details. F-----g losers I just tell them to check the Internet and everything is on there, stop asking me.”
“The guards that work here for CC (Correctional Service Canada) are mostly all trash or retards lol The best psychiatrist I ever had was Dr. Renée Roy at RDP (Rivière-desPrairies Detention Centre). She was phenomenal and I miss her. Dr. (Marie-Frédérique) Allard and Dr.(Joel) Watts were also wonderful and so was Dr. (Thomas) Barth from Germany. Very professional and kind, intelligent and informed unlike a few others who will remain nameless.”
ON VISITS FROM FRIENDS
Letter dated March 3: “I really hope you’ll be able to make it in July to the little cottage here. I’ll fill out the form and put you on the list. I’ll go shopping for the food and movies. We have movie channels and movie night here so I can get any title.”
ON WORKOUTS, SPORTS AND WALKS IN THE GARDEN
In another letter, also dated March 3, Magnotta wrote to his friend: “I’m really enjoy playing hockey and tennis and I’ve lost a lot of weight. I’m looking forward to next month when the volleyball nets outside will be put up. I’ve always been an amazing player. We have a nice gym here too for exercising. It’s really important to getting the results I want. I spent 2 hours playing sports, one hour exercising and at night I go outside for a walk in the garden. The lilacs are my favourite.”
ON THE FUTURE
March 20, he wrote: “Hi Sugar plum, Yay! Friday is finally here! I’m so excited to be finishing school. I’m not sure what I want to take Post Secondary. There are so many options. I’ll let you know when I’ve made my final decision.”
The staff and doctors here have an extremely unhealthy obsession with my personal life.