Axeman Of New Orleans
Unidentified Serial Killer Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
New Orleans, Louisiana
TIME PERIOD
May 1918 - October 1919
VICTIMS
17 confirmed
The Axeman of New Orleans was an unidentified serial killer who operated in New Orleans, Louisiana, from May 23, 1918, to October 27, 1919, attacking victims with an axe, often their own. The crimes, which primarily targeted Italian immigrants and Italian-Americans, resulted in the deaths of 6 to 17 individuals and numerous injuries, with the perpetrator never being apprehended. The case remains unsolved.
the pattern of attacks primarily targeting women. Additionally, some theories suggest that the Axeman could have been a member of the local Italian community, possibly seeking revenge against rival groups or individuals. The speculation surrounding the killer's identity and motives has fueled ongoing interest and debate in true crime communities.
The Axeman of New Orleans
Unidentified Serial Killer in New Orleans, Louisiana
The Axeman of New Orleans is a chilling figure in American true crime history, a mysterious and unidentified serial killer who instilled terror in the heart of New Orleans from May 1918 until October 1919. While sensational media reports hinted at similar attacks as far back as 1911, recent researchers have debated the validity of these claims. No one ever identified the Axeman, and the case remains unsolved, captivating true crime enthusiasts and researchers to this day.
Quick Facts
- Criminal Status: Never caught
- Victims: 6 to 17 killed, 6 to 14 injured
- Span of Crimes: May 23, 1918 – October 27, 1919
- Country: United States
- State: Louisiana
Background
As the name suggests, the Axeman typically wielded an axe, often one that belonged to the victims themselves. The killer's modus operandi involved entering homes by chiseling out a panel on the backdoor, leaving the broken piece on the floor as a macabre calling card. Once inside, the intruder would attack one or more inhabitants using either an axe or a straight razor. What's particularly disturbing is that these attacks were not motivated by robbery; valuables were left untouched, suggesting a deeper, more sinister motive.
The majority of the Axeman's victims were Italian immigrants or Italian-Americans, leading to rampant speculation that the crimes were driven by ethnic hatred. The media sensationalized this angle, even hinting at possible Mafia involvement, although no concrete evidence ever supported such claims. Some criminologists, including Colin and Damon Wilson, theorized that the Axeman could have been a sexual sadist targeting women, only killing men when they interfered with his plans.
The Jazz Connection
What makes this case even more intriguing is the bizarre suggestion that the Axeman’s attacks were somehow linked to jazz music. In a letter dated March 13, 1919, which was published in local newspapers, the Axeman claimed he would spare anyone who played jazz on the night of March 19. This resulted in New Orleans' dance halls being packed that evening, with jazz bands playing to the hilt. Miraculously, there were no murders reported that night, adding layers of folklore to the killer's already chilling legend.
The letter itself is a true work of dark poetry, expressing the killer's superiority and grim delight in the fear he instilled. Here’s a snippet that captures his malevolent spirit:
"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."
The Murders
The Axeman's first confirmed victims were Joseph and Catherine Maggio, attacked in their apartment on May 23, 1918. The killer not only cut their throats with a straight razor but also struck them with an axe, perhaps to obscure the true cause of death. Joseph survived long enough to reveal the horror to his family before succumbing to his injuries. Scrawled on the pavement nearby was a message referencing a previous attack, hinting at a chilling continuity to his spree.
Subsequent Victims
Louis Besumer and Harriet Lowe were attacked on June 27, 1918, in the back of a grocery store. Besumer suffered a severe skull injury from a hatchet, while Lowe was left with permanent facial paralysis. In a twist of fate, Lowe's accusations against Besumer would lead to his arrest, though he was acquitted after nine months in prison.
Later, on August 5, 1918, Anna Schneider, eight months pregnant, was savagely attacked in her home but miraculously survived, giving birth shortly after the incident. The police noted that only a small amount of cash was missing, reinforcing the idea that robbery was not the motive.
On August 10, Joseph Romano was fatally injured in a similar attack, which reignited public panic. The killer's signature style—chiseled doors and bloody axes—created an atmosphere of dread as citizens reported seeing suspicious figures lurking in their neighborhoods.
The Cortimiglia Attack
The Axeman's spree reached a horrifying climax on March 10, 1919, when Charles Cortimiglia and his family were brutally attacked. Cortimiglia and his wife suffered severe skull fractures, and their infant daughter Mary was killed in her mother's arms. As with earlier victims, the home showed no signs of robbery, and the backdoor had been tampered with.
Rosie Cortimiglia later accused their grocer neighbor and his son of the attack, but evidence did not support her claims. In a shocking turn, she later admitted to fabricating the story out of jealousy, leading to the wrongful conviction of the Jordanos.
The Final Victims
The last known victim of the Axeman was Mike Pepitone, attacked on October 27, 1919. His wife awoke to find a man with an axe fleeing the scene, leaving Pepitone gravely injured and bloodied. This marked the end of the Axeman's reign of terror, but the killer's identity would remain a mystery.
In Popular Culture
The Axeman's legacy has transcended the realm of true crime, finding its way into various facets of popular culture:
- 1919: Local tune writer Joseph John Davilla penned "The Mysterious Axman's Jazz (Don't Scare Me Papa)," reflecting the public's fear and fascination.
- Books and Novels: Authors like Ray Celestin and Julie Smith have fictionalized the Axeman’s story, exploring the intersection of crime and jazz culture.
- Documentaries and Podcasts: Shows like "My Favorite Murder" and "BuzzFeed Unsolved" have delved into the Axeman's chilling legacy, captivating new generations of true crime enthusiasts.
Conclusion
The Axeman of New Orleans remains a haunting figure, an enigma wrapped in darkness and folklore. The killer was never caught, and the case remains unresolved, leaving behind a trail of chilling stories and unanswered questions.
Sources
- Wikipedia article on Axeman of New Orleans
- Katz, Hélèna. Cold Cases: Famous Unsolved Mysteries, Crimes, and Disappearances in America.
- Newton, Michael. The Encyclopedia of Unsolved Crimes.
- Gibson, Cameron. Serial Murder and Media Circuses.
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First Attack
Joseph Maggio and his wife Catherine are attacked in their apartment; Catherine is killed.
Besumer Attack
Louis Besumer and Harriet Lowe are attacked in Besumer's grocery; both survive but are critically injured.
Anna Schneider Assaulted
Pregnant Anna Schneider is attacked in her home; she survives and gives birth two days later.
Joseph Romano Murdered
Elderly Joseph Romano is attacked and dies from severe head trauma two days later.
Cortimiglia Family Attack
Charles Cortimiglia and his family are attacked; their infant daughter is killed.
Axeman Letter
A letter from the Axeman is published, threatening to kill unless jazz music is played.
Steve Boca Attack
Grocer Steve Boca is attacked in his home but survives with head injuries.
Sarah Laumann Assaulted
19-year-old Sarah Laumann is found unconscious in her apartment after an attack.
Last Known Attack
Mike Pepitone is attacked in his home; this marks the last of the Axeman's known assaults.
The Axeman of New Orleans was an unidentified serial killer who operated in New Orleans, Louisiana, from May 23, 1918, to October 27, 1919, attacking victims with an axe, often their own. The crimes, which primarily targeted Italian immigrants and Italian-Americans, resulted in the deaths of 6 to 17 individuals and numerous injuries, with the perpetrator never being apprehended. The case remains unsolved.
the pattern of attacks primarily targeting women. Additionally, some theories suggest that the Axeman could have been a member of the local Italian community, possibly seeking revenge against rival groups or individuals. The speculation surrounding the killer's identity and motives has fueled ongoing interest and debate in true crime communities.
The Axeman of New Orleans
Unidentified Serial Killer in New Orleans, Louisiana
The Axeman of New Orleans is a chilling figure in American true crime history, a mysterious and unidentified serial killer who instilled terror in the heart of New Orleans from May 1918 until October 1919. While sensational media reports hinted at similar attacks as far back as 1911, recent researchers have debated the validity of these claims. No one ever identified the Axeman, and the case remains unsolved, captivating true crime enthusiasts and researchers to this day.
Quick Facts
- Criminal Status: Never caught
- Victims: 6 to 17 killed, 6 to 14 injured
- Span of Crimes: May 23, 1918 – October 27, 1919
- Country: United States
- State: Louisiana
Background
As the name suggests, the Axeman typically wielded an axe, often one that belonged to the victims themselves. The killer's modus operandi involved entering homes by chiseling out a panel on the backdoor, leaving the broken piece on the floor as a macabre calling card. Once inside, the intruder would attack one or more inhabitants using either an axe or a straight razor. What's particularly disturbing is that these attacks were not motivated by robbery; valuables were left untouched, suggesting a deeper, more sinister motive.
The majority of the Axeman's victims were Italian immigrants or Italian-Americans, leading to rampant speculation that the crimes were driven by ethnic hatred. The media sensationalized this angle, even hinting at possible Mafia involvement, although no concrete evidence ever supported such claims. Some criminologists, including Colin and Damon Wilson, theorized that the Axeman could have been a sexual sadist targeting women, only killing men when they interfered with his plans.
The Jazz Connection
What makes this case even more intriguing is the bizarre suggestion that the Axeman’s attacks were somehow linked to jazz music. In a letter dated March 13, 1919, which was published in local newspapers, the Axeman claimed he would spare anyone who played jazz on the night of March 19. This resulted in New Orleans' dance halls being packed that evening, with jazz bands playing to the hilt. Miraculously, there were no murders reported that night, adding layers of folklore to the killer's already chilling legend.
The letter itself is a true work of dark poetry, expressing the killer's superiority and grim delight in the fear he instilled. Here’s a snippet that captures his malevolent spirit:
"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."
The Murders
The Axeman's first confirmed victims were Joseph and Catherine Maggio, attacked in their apartment on May 23, 1918. The killer not only cut their throats with a straight razor but also struck them with an axe, perhaps to obscure the true cause of death. Joseph survived long enough to reveal the horror to his family before succumbing to his injuries. Scrawled on the pavement nearby was a message referencing a previous attack, hinting at a chilling continuity to his spree.
Subsequent Victims
Louis Besumer and Harriet Lowe were attacked on June 27, 1918, in the back of a grocery store. Besumer suffered a severe skull injury from a hatchet, while Lowe was left with permanent facial paralysis. In a twist of fate, Lowe's accusations against Besumer would lead to his arrest, though he was acquitted after nine months in prison.
Later, on August 5, 1918, Anna Schneider, eight months pregnant, was savagely attacked in her home but miraculously survived, giving birth shortly after the incident. The police noted that only a small amount of cash was missing, reinforcing the idea that robbery was not the motive.
On August 10, Joseph Romano was fatally injured in a similar attack, which reignited public panic. The killer's signature style—chiseled doors and bloody axes—created an atmosphere of dread as citizens reported seeing suspicious figures lurking in their neighborhoods.
The Cortimiglia Attack
The Axeman's spree reached a horrifying climax on March 10, 1919, when Charles Cortimiglia and his family were brutally attacked. Cortimiglia and his wife suffered severe skull fractures, and their infant daughter Mary was killed in her mother's arms. As with earlier victims, the home showed no signs of robbery, and the backdoor had been tampered with.
Rosie Cortimiglia later accused their grocer neighbor and his son of the attack, but evidence did not support her claims. In a shocking turn, she later admitted to fabricating the story out of jealousy, leading to the wrongful conviction of the Jordanos.
The Final Victims
The last known victim of the Axeman was Mike Pepitone, attacked on October 27, 1919. His wife awoke to find a man with an axe fleeing the scene, leaving Pepitone gravely injured and bloodied. This marked the end of the Axeman's reign of terror, but the killer's identity would remain a mystery.
In Popular Culture
The Axeman's legacy has transcended the realm of true crime, finding its way into various facets of popular culture:
- 1919: Local tune writer Joseph John Davilla penned "The Mysterious Axman's Jazz (Don't Scare Me Papa)," reflecting the public's fear and fascination.
- Books and Novels: Authors like Ray Celestin and Julie Smith have fictionalized the Axeman’s story, exploring the intersection of crime and jazz culture.
- Documentaries and Podcasts: Shows like "My Favorite Murder" and "BuzzFeed Unsolved" have delved into the Axeman's chilling legacy, captivating new generations of true crime enthusiasts.
Conclusion
The Axeman of New Orleans remains a haunting figure, an enigma wrapped in darkness and folklore. The killer was never caught, and the case remains unresolved, leaving behind a trail of chilling stories and unanswered questions.
Sources
- Wikipedia article on Axeman of New Orleans
- Katz, Hélèna. Cold Cases: Famous Unsolved Mysteries, Crimes, and Disappearances in America.
- Newton, Michael. The Encyclopedia of Unsolved Crimes.
- Gibson, Cameron. Serial Murder and Media Circuses.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
First Attack
Joseph Maggio and his wife Catherine are attacked in their apartment; Catherine is killed.
Besumer Attack
Louis Besumer and Harriet Lowe are attacked in Besumer's grocery; both survive but are critically injured.
Anna Schneider Assaulted
Pregnant Anna Schneider is attacked in her home; she survives and gives birth two days later.
Joseph Romano Murdered
Elderly Joseph Romano is attacked and dies from severe head trauma two days later.
Cortimiglia Family Attack
Charles Cortimiglia and his family are attacked; their infant daughter is killed.
Axeman Letter
A letter from the Axeman is published, threatening to kill unless jazz music is played.
Steve Boca Attack
Grocer Steve Boca is attacked in his home but survives with head injuries.
Sarah Laumann Assaulted
19-year-old Sarah Laumann is found unconscious in her apartment after an attack.
Last Known Attack
Mike Pepitone is attacked in his home; this marks the last of the Axeman's known assaults.