“Spykiller” – a true crime documentary from Arizona

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — In 1997, a young woman disappeared from a spy shop in Las Vegas, sparking a frantic search for her that lasted for months. The shop's owner, John Flowers, claimed that Ginger Rios had left his shop that day.

Her disappearance led to the clarification of many other things.

A few months later, Flowers' wife accidentally told investigators about the horror she experienced when her husband killed Ginger Rios. She led investigators to a remote part of the Arizona desert where not only Rios' body was found, but also another, unidentified victim.

It would take years and the invention of the former social platform My place to find out who the second victim was and identify her as young Christina Martinez, who investigators believe was killed by John Flowers in his spy shop in Phoenix.

Flowers manipulated the legal system by first declaring himself incompetent to stand trial and then claiming he was faking the trial. He entered into two plea bargains, confessing to the two murders but suggesting to authorities that there were other victims.

Witness testimony, physical evidence and psychological analysis by experts have led investigators to believe that John Flowers may have other unidentified victims, although he only has a few years left to serve on his sentence for the deaths of Ginger Rios and Christina Martinez.

Although everyone knew him as John Flowers, his real name is Craig Jacobsen, although he used 13 different aliases over the course of two decades.

“Spykiller: The Girls in the Desert” is the latest True Crime Arizona Documentary. It is the culmination of a years-long investigation into a deranged spy shop owner, two missing girls, gruesome discoveries in the desert, and a race against time before the suspected serial killer is released.

While sitting in a jail cell, he emailed host and true crime correspondent Briana Whitney during the production of this documentary. Police believe half of the details he discussed are true, mixed with lies and untruths.

Below is their complete email correspondence through the Arizona Dept. of Corrections system:

Email #1 from Craig Jacobsen:

March 9, 2024

Greetings!! This is Craig Jacobsen and I really appreciate you filling out visit forms and signing up for the email features of the oppressed like me! Please, how can I help you?

Jacobsen

#353588

Browning Unit, formerly a death row!

09 March 2023

Jpay.com

Briana’s answer:

March 11, 2024

Hi Craig – Thanks for the message. I'm a reporter working on a story about Ginger Rios and Christina Martinez. I'm hoping you can give us more insight and details on how and why they died and tell us more about the crimes from your perspective.

Thank you very much,

Brianna Whitney

Craig Jacobsen Answer #2:

March 11, 2024:

Hello! I will be giving you several interviews on all aspects of my life, the unspeakable reasons for countless murders, and I must be compensated financially. Unfortunately, my criminal life began early with a theft of over 100 million (San Jose Mercury News, reporter Sandra Gonzales, year 1991, February/March, theft of 10 million, my last name was JACOBSON). Next, I began smuggling cocaine from South America to the Everglades in Florida on a private plane. Then I got even more involved in the criminal area of ​​contract killing through influential organized crime figures I had befriended in federal prison. Again, I rose to the “big leagues” by opening four spy shops connected to the Tokyo Sarin gas attacks and the Oklahoma City bombings. My life story, my reasons for intentionally taking multiple lives, and my reasons for wanting to be compensated are obvious. I will certainly be released… by 2031 at the latest, and I will probably be a monster beyond compare! I am also a paid FBI informant with a code name!

Jacobson #353588

Arizona State Prison Complex Eyman

Tanning unit

www.jpay.com

PS: Check out my penpal page which is 85% true. Craig jacobsen@ www.conpals.com www.convictpenpals.com

Briana doesn't answer

Craig Jacobsen sends a follow-up message with an attached e-card:

March 14, 2024

Comments?

Jacobson #353588

Briana doesn't answer

Craig Jacobsen sends a final email:

10 April 2024

Hello, this is Arizona State Inmate Craig Jacobsen #353588. Interestingly, you can find lost video footage of Ginger Rios and Christina Martinez on Fox TV Phoenix in 1997 (May, June or July) in the background with my ex-wife filming what I was selling at the Spycraft store 702 West Camelback, Phoenix. I am the person being pepper gassed and stunned with an electrical device to test the effectiveness of the devices. The man with them is the other missing person!

Jacobson #353588

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