News / Crime
Three found guilty of assisting Max and Mason’s murderers
Three people have been found guilty of assisting the killers of Max Dixon and Mason Rist, the teenage best friends who were murdered in Knowle West in 2024.
Ellie-Mae Maddocks and Dominic Smith, both 26, from Westbury-on-Trym, and Marcus Williams, 32, of Hartcliffe, denied the charge of assisting an offender but were convicted following a trial at Bristol Crown Court, where they will return to in February to be sentenced.
Jillian Tolliver, 51, from Hartcliffe, was found to have committed the act of assisting an offender but was deemed unfit to stand trial.
Ellie-Mae Maddocks – photo: Avon & Somerset Police
Dominic Smith – photo: Avon & Somerset Police
Marcus Williams – photo: Avon & Somerset Police
Riley Tolliver, 18, Kodi Wescott, 17, and Anthony Snook, 46, and two teenagers who cannot be named for legal reasons, were all previously convicted of the murders of 16-year-old Max and 15-year-old Mason in a case of mistaken identity, and are serving life terms in prison.
The court heard that in the early hours of January 28 2024, Jillian Tolliver arranged for Williams to take her son, Riley, to Weston-super-Mare.
On the same day, Smith and Maddocks allowed Wescott and one of the other murderers to stay at their home overnight before also taking them to Weston-super-Mare in an attempt to hide them from the police.
A memorial to Max Dixon and Mason Rist in Knowle West – photo: Mia Vines Booth
Speaking on behalf of Max’s family, his mother Leanne Ekland said: “Finally, after four long weeks we have got a great result.
“It’s been hard to relive the awful night back in January 2024 and have to listen to the events after Max and Mason’s death.
“I want to thank the jury who had the difficult decision to make but now we can hopefully start to focus on grieving our boys properly without the anxiety of facing anymore trials.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved or anyone who had a role in Max and Mason’s case.
We are nearly two years on, but I have continued to receive the support of many people throughout the past two years, they have given everything and more to bring these people to justice.
“The saddest part is we still go home without Max and Mason, but the love shown for those boys will live on.”
Mason’s sister, Chloe Dore, added: “This is the best Christmas present we could have received.
“We are beyond thankful to the jury who saw through the lies as we did and to the investigation team who worked tirelessly to make this happen.
“Mason would be so grateful to everyone who helped him, from the time of the incident all the way through to the result today. We love Mason so much and he will forever be in our hearts.
“They tried to deny Mason and Max justice by helping their killers to evade police.
“I hope this will act as a reminder to those who wish to assist someone in a crime that there will be punishable consequences.”
A memorial tree was planted in Knowle West on the first anniversary of Max and Mason’s deaths – photo: St Barnabas Church
Avon & Somerset Police detective constable Matthew Cron added: “Max and Mason’s families have acted with exceptional patience, strength and composure throughout both the murder and assisting offenders’ trials, and it has been a privilege to deliver this outcome for them.
“While I know these results will never bring Max and Mason back to them, I hope that the case’s conclusion will reassure them as they continue to navigate life without their boys.
“This trial heard how the offenders sought to hide the boys’ killers from police in various ways. However, their efforts were in vain.
“It is my hope that these verdicts act as a message to all criminals and their associates: if you assist offenders in hiding from the police or destroying evidence, we will be relentless in finding you and bringing you to justice.”
Main photo: family
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