Happy True Crime Thursday Folks!
Today we are taking it down South to The Big Easy, New Orleans, Louisiana!
Discussing the unsolved case of the Axeman murders
New Orleans 1918, the streets are filled with the sounds of Jazz music much like today, but it wasn't the city folk listening to the smooth sounds just for pleasure, it was to keep a crazed axe murderer at bay.
Starting in May 1918 the "Axeman" would claim his first victims, an Italian grocer named Joseph Maggio and his wife Catherine. They climbed into their bed the night of May 23, 1918, not knowing that soon a killer would break into their apartment. The Axeman cut the couple's throats with a straight razor before bashing in their heads with an axe. Joseph survived the attack, but died minutes after being discovered by his brothers Jake and Andrew Maggio. Catherine was already dead by the time they got there, her throat had been cut so deep that her head was nearly severed from her shoulders.
When the police arrived they ruled out that robbery was the motive behind the attacks, no valuables or money was taken. They also discovered that the murderer had left behind their bloody clothing, they had changed into a clean set of clothes before fleeing the scene. The bloody razor was found on the lawn of a neighboring property. They soon discovered that the razor belonged to Andrew Maggio, the brother. He owned his own barber shop and had told one his employees, Esteban Torres 2 days prior to the murders that he was removing the razor from the shop to have a nick honed from the blade. The brother lived in an adjoining apartment to his brothers residence and told police that he had heard strange moaning noises through the wall and that's when he went over to check on them. He said he didn't hear the attacks happening and blamed that on his level of intoxication that night, he had been out partying because he was soon departing with the Navy. He was the main suspect. but they were able to rule him out. Also discovered near the couples home was a message written in chalk that read "Mrs. Joseph Maggio will sit up tonight. Just like Mrs. Toney." Who's Mrs. Toney?
On August 10th, just 5 days after Anna's attack, a man by the name of Joseph Ramano was attacked. He was an elderly Italian grocer that lived with his 2 nieces. The girls awoke to the sound of commotion in the adjoining room where their uncle stayed. The girls entered his room to find Joseph laying down with a serious blow to the head, they also saw the assailant fleeing the scene. They described him to police as having a darker complexion, heavy set and wore a dark suit and slouched hat. Joseph although seriously injured was able to walk to the ambulance once it arrived on scene, sadly he died just 2 days later due to the severe head trauma. The home was ransacked, yet no items were stolen. Police found a bloody axe in the backyard.
Starting in May 1918 the "Axeman" would claim his first victims, an Italian grocer named Joseph Maggio and his wife Catherine. They climbed into their bed the night of May 23, 1918, not knowing that soon a killer would break into their apartment. The Axeman cut the couple's throats with a straight razor before bashing in their heads with an axe. Joseph survived the attack, but died minutes after being discovered by his brothers Jake and Andrew Maggio. Catherine was already dead by the time they got there, her throat had been cut so deep that her head was nearly severed from her shoulders. When the police arrived they ruled out that robbery was the motive behind the attacks, no valuables or money was taken. They also discovered that the murderer had left behind their bloody clothing, they had changed into a clean set of clothes before fleeing the scene. The bloody razor was found on the lawn of a neighboring property. They soon discovered that the razor belonged to Andrew Maggio, the brother. He owned his own barber shop and had told one his employees, Esteban Torres 2 days prior to the murders that he was removing the razor from the shop to have a nick honed from the blade. The brother lived in an adjoining apartment to his brothers residence and told police that he had heard strange moaning noises through the wall and that's when he went over to check on them. He said he didn't hear the attacks happening and blamed that on his level of intoxication that night, he had been out partying because he was soon departing with the Navy. He was the main suspect. but they were able to rule him out. Also discovered near the couples home was a message written in chalk that read "Mrs. Joseph Maggio will sit up tonight. Just like Mrs. Toney." Who's Mrs. Toney?
The Axeman's next victims were Louis Besumer and his mistress Harriet Lowe. They were attacked the early morning hours of June 27, 1918, in the quarters at the back his grocery store. Like the first victim Louis was the owner of a grocery story and was Italian. He was struck with a hatchet above his right temple. Harriet was hacked over the left ear, she was unconscious when police arrived. A driver of a bakery wagon discovered them when he was doing his routine delivery to the store at 7 am. The axe was found in the bathroom of the apartment and they discovered that it belonged to Louis himself. He later told police that he had been asleep when he was hit with the hatchet. Again no money or valuables were taken from the scene. After the arrest and subsequent release of an African- American suspect in the case, Harriet (in what was deemed a delirious state of mind) told police that Louis was a German spy. Later she claimed he was responsible for the June 27th attack. Louise was arrested and later released. Because of the outcome the press sensationalized the story. Harriet's face was partially paralyzed due to the severity of the attack. In August she went in and had a surgery done in hopes of repairing it, sadly she died 2 days later.
August 5th, 1918 Mrs. Anna Schneider was home alone, her husband worked nights. The 28 year old climbed in her bed to settle in for a good nights sleep, but soon after she awoke to a dark figure standing over her. Her face was bashed in repeatedly. Shortly after midnight she was discovered by her husband who was returning home from work, her scalp had been cut open and her face was completely covered in blood. To make matters worse Anna was 8 months pregnant at the time. She survived the attack and just 2 days later she gave birth to her baby girl! One man was arrested on suspicion but he was soon released for lack of evidence. By this time investigators began to publicly speculate that the attack was in fact related to the previous incidents.
On August 10th, just 5 days after Anna's attack, a man by the name of Joseph Ramano was attacked. He was an elderly Italian grocer that lived with his 2 nieces. The girls awoke to the sound of commotion in the adjoining room where their uncle stayed. The girls entered his room to find Joseph laying down with a serious blow to the head, they also saw the assailant fleeing the scene. They described him to police as having a darker complexion, heavy set and wore a dark suit and slouched hat. Joseph although seriously injured was able to walk to the ambulance once it arrived on scene, sadly he died just 2 days later due to the severe head trauma. The home was ransacked, yet no items were stolen. Police found a bloody axe in the backyard.
Soon panic settled into the city, residents were in constant fear that the Axeman would attack them next. Police starting getting an overwhelming amount of reports from citizens claiming to have seen the Axeman. Public statements were made by retired detective John Dantonio, he hypothesized that the man committing the murders was the same man who killed several individuals starting back in 1911. Between 1911 and 1912 several Italian grocers were murdered, He stated there were several similarities in the manner the crimes were committed. Going back to the chalk note left behind at the Maggio crime scene..In 1911 Tony Schiambra was one of those murdered alongside his wife...possibly known as Mrs. Tony...coincidence or possible tie in? Dantonio also stated he believed the killer had dual personalities. One who was a normal, law-abiding citizen and the other that had the overwhelming desire to kill, the real life "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde."
Over the months, the attacks stopped, the fear slowly went away and neighborhoods returned to normal. That was until March 10, 1919, when the Axeman struck again.
Charles and Rosie Cortimiglia lived with their infant daughter Mary in a New Orleans Suburb. On the night of the 10th screams were heard coming from the household, a neighbor rushed across the street to investigate, he soon discovered that all 3 of them had been attacked. Rosie stood in the doorway with a serious head wound, in her arms were that of her beloved Mary, she was dead. Charles was lying on the floor and was bleeding profusely. The couple was rushed to the hospital where it was discovered that both of them suffered skull fractures. Nothing was stolen from their home. A bloody axe was found at the home on the back porch. The 2 of them survived.
On March 12, 1919 a letter was published in the newspapers from the person claiming to be the Axeman, below is a copy of what was said in the letter.
Hell, March 13, 1919
They have never caught me and they never will. They have never seen me, for I am invisible, even as the ether that surrounds your earth. I am not a human being, but a spirit and a demon from the hottest hell. I am what you Orleanians and your foolish police call the Axeman.
I mean is your mind as boggled as mine was reading this..
So, the people of New Orleans blared their Jazz music that night and no murders occurred.
Not until August 10, 1919. Steve Boca (surprisingly, but not so surprisingly was a grocer and Italian) awoke in the middle of the night to find a dark figure looming over his bed. Next thing he could remember was waking back up and discovering that his head had been cracked open. He ran over to his neighbors home where he lost consciousness again and collapsed. Nothing was taken from the home. He recovered from his injuries, but couldn't remember any specific details of what occurred.
September 3, 1919, 19 year old Sarah Laumann was discovered unconscious on her bed, she suffered a severe injury and was missing several teeth. A bloody axe was discovered on the front lawn of the building. She survived, but again couldn't recall details of her attack.
The last and final attack from the Axeman occurred the night of October 27, 1919. Mike Pepitone was found by his wife covered in his own blood. She was in a different room when she heard a noise coming from the bedroom, when she entered she saw a large axe-wielding man fleeing from the scene. She was unable to describe any specific characteristics of the man. Sadly Mr. Pepitone didn't survive and he left behind his wife and 6 children.
The Axeman was never caught, to this day the jazz loving murderers identity remains unknown.
Fun fact: If this sounds familiar to you it might be because the television series American Horror Story had a character based on the Axeman in Season 3.
Hope you all enjoyed this weeks story and I will see you all here again next Thursday!
Over the months, the attacks stopped, the fear slowly went away and neighborhoods returned to normal. That was until March 10, 1919, when the Axeman struck again.
Charles and Rosie Cortimiglia lived with their infant daughter Mary in a New Orleans Suburb. On the night of the 10th screams were heard coming from the household, a neighbor rushed across the street to investigate, he soon discovered that all 3 of them had been attacked. Rosie stood in the doorway with a serious head wound, in her arms were that of her beloved Mary, she was dead. Charles was lying on the floor and was bleeding profusely. The couple was rushed to the hospital where it was discovered that both of them suffered skull fractures. Nothing was stolen from their home. A bloody axe was found at the home on the back porch. The 2 of them survived.
On March 12, 1919 a letter was published in the newspapers from the person claiming to be the Axeman, below is a copy of what was said in the letter.
Hell, March 13, 1919
Esteemed Mortal of New Orleans:The Axeman
They have never caught me and they never will. They have never seen me, for I am invisible, even as the ether that surrounds your earth. I am not a human being, but a spirit and a demon from the hottest hell. I am what you Orleanians and your foolish police call the Axeman.
When I see fit, I shall come and claim other victims. I alone know whom they shall be. I shall leave no clue except my bloody axe, besmeared with blood and brains of he whom I have sent below to keep me company.
If you wish you may tell the police to be careful not to rile me. Of course, I am a reasonable spirit. I take no offense at the way they have conducted their investigations in the past. In fact, they have been so utterly stupid as to not only amuse me, but His Satanic Majesty, Francis Josef, etc. But tell them to beware. Let them not try to discover what I am, for it were better that they were never born than to incur the wrath of the Axeman. I don't think there is any need of such a warning, for I feel sure the police will always dodge me, as they have in the past. They are wise and know how to keep away from all harm.
Undoubtedly, you Orleanians think of me as a most horrible murderer, which I am, but I could be much worse if I wanted to. If I wished, I could pay a visit to your city every night. At will I could slay thousands of your best citizens (and the worst), for I am in close relationship with the Angel of Death.
Now, to be exact, at 12:15 (earthly time) on next Tuesday night, I am going to pass over New Orleans. In my infinite mercy, I am going to make a little proposition to you people. Here it is:
I am very fond of jazz music, and I swear by all the devils in the nether regions that every person shall be spared in whose home a jazz band is in full swing at the time I have just mentioned. If everyone has a jazz band going, well, then, so much the better for you people. One thing is certain and that is that some of your people who do not jazz it out on that specific Tuesday night (if there be any) will get the axe.
Well, as I am cold and crave the warmth of my native Tartarus and it is about time I leave your earthly home, I will cease my discourse. Hoping that thou wilt publish this, that it may go well with thee, I have been, am and will be the worst spirit that ever existed either in fact or realm of fancy.
--The Axeman
I mean is your mind as boggled as mine was reading this..
So, the people of New Orleans blared their Jazz music that night and no murders occurred.
Not until August 10, 1919. Steve Boca (surprisingly, but not so surprisingly was a grocer and Italian) awoke in the middle of the night to find a dark figure looming over his bed. Next thing he could remember was waking back up and discovering that his head had been cracked open. He ran over to his neighbors home where he lost consciousness again and collapsed. Nothing was taken from the home. He recovered from his injuries, but couldn't remember any specific details of what occurred.
September 3, 1919, 19 year old Sarah Laumann was discovered unconscious on her bed, she suffered a severe injury and was missing several teeth. A bloody axe was discovered on the front lawn of the building. She survived, but again couldn't recall details of her attack.
The last and final attack from the Axeman occurred the night of October 27, 1919. Mike Pepitone was found by his wife covered in his own blood. She was in a different room when she heard a noise coming from the bedroom, when she entered she saw a large axe-wielding man fleeing from the scene. She was unable to describe any specific characteristics of the man. Sadly Mr. Pepitone didn't survive and he left behind his wife and 6 children.
The Axeman was never caught, to this day the jazz loving murderers identity remains unknown.
Fun fact: If this sounds familiar to you it might be because the television series American Horror Story had a character based on the Axeman in Season 3. Hope you all enjoyed this weeks story and I will see you all here again next Thursday!
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