Todd Kreisel, 47, returns to Sedalia, Mo., from his pitbull Broadus’s vet in Warsaw, Mo., the same day his father passed away on Sept. 26, 2023. He drives on Highway 65, the road where his 16-year-old sister Katherine died in a car accident in 2000.

Todd Kreisel, 47, returns to Sedalia, Mo., from his pitbull Broadus’s vet in Warsaw, Mo., the same day his father passed away on Sept. 26, 2023. He drives on Highway 65, the road where his 16-year-old sister Katherine died in a car accident in 2000.

Todd Kreisel, middle, 47, speaks to Foster, left, and Booze at Fitters 5th Street Pub on Sept. 28, 2023, in Sedalia, Mo.

Todd Kreisel, middle, 47, speaks to Foster, left, and Booze at Fitters 5th Street Pub on Sept. 28, 2023, in Sedalia, Mo.

Todd Kreisel, left, 47, and his girlfriend of one year, Nichole Hutchings, 38, spend time at Kreisel’s home after she gets off work on Sept. 27, 2023, in Sedalia, Mo. Nichole is one of the few people he lets into his home.

Todd Kreisel, left, 47, and his girlfriend of one year, Nichole Hutchings, 38, spend time at Kreisel’s home after she gets off work on Sept. 27, 2023, in Sedalia, Mo. Nichole is one of the few people he lets into his home.

Todd Kreisel keeps a photo of his 17-year-old daughter, Jessica, on the television stand in his home in Sedalia, Mo. Jessica lives in Higginsville, Mo., with one of her friends. Todd sees her every couple of weeks.

Todd Kreisel keeps a photo of his 17-year-old daughter, Jessica, on the television stand in his home in Sedalia, Mo. Jessica lives in Higginsville, Mo., with one of her friends. Todd sees her every couple of weeks.

Todd Kreisel, 47, holds the hands of his grandpa Leonard Hysterberg, 99, at a nursing home in Cole Camp, Mo., Sept. 29, 2023.

Todd Kreisel, 47, holds the hands of his grandpa Leonard Hysterberg, 99, at a nursing home in Cole Camp, Mo., Sept. 29, 2023.

Todd Kreisel, 47, strokes his English bulldog, Willie, on the deck of his home on Sep. 26, 2023 in Sedalia, Mo. He started growing vegetables during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Todd Kreisel, 47, strokes his English bulldog, Willie, on the deck of his home on Sep. 26, 2023 in Sedalia, Mo. He started growing vegetables during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Todd Kreisel, 47, at Fitters 5th Street Pub on the evening his father died on Sep. 26, 2023, Sedalia, Mo. Fitters is one of his favorite bars.

Todd Kreisel, 47, at Fitters 5th Street Pub on the evening his father died on Sep. 26, 2023, Sedalia, Mo. Fitters is one of his favorite bars.

Todd Kreisel, 47, and his girlfriend Nichole Hutchings, 38, at Fitters 5th Street Pub, on Sep. 28, 2023, in Sedalia, Mo. Their relationship began after a night at the bar in 2022.

Todd Kreisel, 47, and his girlfriend Nichole Hutchings, 38, at Fitters 5th Street Pub, on Sep. 28, 2023, in Sedalia, Mo. Their relationship began after a night at the bar in 2022.

Pitbull Broadus waits for his owner, Todd Kreisel, 47, outside a veterinary office in Warsaw, Mo., on Sep. 26, 2023. Todd refurbishes old vehicles, and fellow Sedalians recognize his red Delta convertible with its roaring engine.

Pitbull Broadus waits for his owner, Todd Kreisel, 47, outside a veterinary office in Warsaw, Mo., on Sep. 26, 2023. Todd refurbishes old vehicles, and fellow Sedalians recognize his red Delta convertible with its roaring engine.

Todd Kreisel, 47, stands next to the grave of his sister, Katherine Kreisel, on Sep. 29, 2023, in Cole Camp, Mo. Katherine was killed by a drunk driver in 2000 when she was 16 years old. His father, who died a few days prior, will be buried next to h

Todd Kreisel, 47, stands next to the grave of his sister, Katherine Kreisel, on Sep. 29, 2023, in Cole Camp, Mo. Katherine was killed by a drunk driver in 2000 when she was 16 years old. His father, who died a few days prior, will be buried next to her. Todd had not been to the cemetery in 13 years. “This has always been our road because of that tree,” Todd said. “It’s ugly but easy to spot, just like me.”

Do You Really Know Todd?

2023 – present

Most Sedalians know who Todd Kreisel is — a tattoo artist who refurbishes old vehicles, likes to joke around at the bar and drives a red Delta convertible with a roaring engine. When Todd passes through town, people wave at him. He is commonly described as a gregarious, vibrant and happy character. Yet Todd himself says he is a private person who has “seen a lot of ugly shit”. 

The 47-year-old was abandoned at the hospital as a baby and cannot count how many lives around him have ended over the years. “Death follows me wherever I go,” he said. The day his father died, on Sept. 26, 2023, he said, “It’s cool. It’s just another day.” On that day, he continued life as normal and brought his pitbull Broadus to the vet. Along the way, he encountered more shadows from his past. He drove on Highway 65, where his 16-year-old sister Katherine was killed by a drunk driver in 2000. Todd said his dad always blamed him for the accident because she was on her way to see him.

On top of those traumas, Todd was falsely accused of murdering his 76-year-old neighbor Rebekah Marcus in 2010. After the real murderer, Daniel Maschger, pleaded guilty, Kreisel’s neighbors continued blaming him until he had to leave his neighborhood in Thompson Hills, Mo. Todd now lives in downtown Sedalia, Mo. He has a small greenhouse on his deck, takes care of his three dogs, and loves his daughter Jessica, 17, who lives with her friend in Higginsville, Mo. He tries to keep his mind off of things by going to the bar and spending time with his girlfriend Nichole Hutchings, 38, who is one of the few individuals he lets into his house.

This work is ongoing. It started at the Missouri Photo Workshop thanks to the support of the Darrell Barton Foundation.