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Madman Live Presentation, Book Tour
On Friday, October 17, at 6:30 p.m., Tampa Bay author M.F. Gross will host the MADMAN Live Presentation & Ghost Tour at the Crystal Beach Community Center. This is a FREE immersive event that brings a chilling piece of Florida history to life. Based on Gross’s best-selling true crime book MADMAN, the evening retraces the shocking 1949 Crystal Beach murder that shattered the quiet Gulf Coast town and triggered one of Florida’s most intense manhunts.
Following a live storytelling presentation, attendees will embark on a guided “ghost tour” through the real locations tied to the case, including the homes of victims and the spot where murderer John Calvin “Rastus” Russell vanished into the swamps. The event concludes at the original murder site, where Gross will reflect on how the tragedy shaped the community’s history and collective memory.
Local residents who grew up hearing about the crime are expected to attend, and professional videographers will document the evening’s atmosphere and community impact. The event offers a rare blend of true crime, local history, and haunting realism — perfect for the Halloween season.
Learn more at https://mfgross.com/events-projects/
Event Links
Website: https://go.evvnt.com/3292065-0
