S03E05: The Cruel Chemistry of Revenge: The Case of Mark Van Dongen

In the early morning hours of September 22, 2015 in Bristol, UK, a man could be heard shouting through the streets. Neighbors thought this was some sort of prank or the sounds of animals, but when they exited their flats, they realized this was no joke. 27-year-old Mark Van Dongen wearing only boxers could be seen covered in a mud-like substance which was determined to be his skin disintegrating and melting off. His ex, Berlinah Wallace had snuck back into her flat where he was sleeping alone and dumped 98% sulfuric acid on his face and body. Mark endured unimaginable suffering over the next 15 months until he ultimately chose to be euthanized in Belgium.
SourcesBBC (2018)Evolution News (2017)BBC News (2018) - 999 call Independent (2018)The Case That Redefined Cruelty. The Ruthless Case of Mark Van Dongen- Crime A to Z (2025) The Guardian (2018)