February 20, 1926 San Francisco, California Clara Newman is killed, becoming the first known victim of serial killer Earle Nelson (pictured) Before Nelson was identified, the press dubbed him the “Gorilla Killer,” as he was described, as the Northern Territory Times reported, as “a degenerate with huge hairy hands.” (As you can see in the… Continue reading The first victim of “The Gorilla Killer” is murdered
Tag: 1920s
Man’s body found weeks after his murder, hidden at his place of employment
January 10, 1929 Southampton, England The body of Vivian Messiter (pictured) is found 10 weeks after his murder Messiter had been the manager of the Wolfe Oil Company when he suddenly disappeared on October 30, 1928. When it became clear he would not be returning to work, the company hired a new manager. The new… Continue reading Man’s body found weeks after his murder, hidden at his place of employment
Man executed for rape “15 minutes after the arrival of the new year”
January 1, 1926 Huntsville, Texas Melton Carr is executed for rape Carr and another man, Elbert Kitchens, had been arrested for “criminal assault” (rape). The victim was Elbert’s wife Fannie Kitchens, and Elbert hired Carr to commit the crime for reasons the press did not divulge or speculate upon. Initially, both Carr and Elbert were… Continue reading Man executed for rape “15 minutes after the arrival of the new year”
The death of Dagmar Overby, baby farmer
May 6, 1929 Copenhagen, Denmark Baby farmer Dagmar Overby (alt. spelling: Overbye) dies in prison Baby farming was the practice of accepting children (and a small adoption fee) whose parents were unable to care for them, then killing the children for profit. The adoption fee was intended to provide food and other necessities for the… Continue reading The death of Dagmar Overby, baby farmer
Man kills family, self when he fears they will all starve
February 11, 1927 Utica, New York Guy Taylor kills his family and himself after becoming unemployed Guy, who had recently found himself unemployed, was suspected to have killed his family to spare them death from starvation. The bodies of the Taylor family were discovered on February 18, a week after the murders are believed to… Continue reading Man kills family, self when he fears they will all starve
