Cleveland Torso Murderer
Cleveland Serial Killer Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Cleveland, Ohio
TIME PERIOD
1930s
VICTIMS
13 confirmed
The Cleveland Torso Murderer, an unidentified serial killer, was active in Cleveland, Ohio, from 1935 to 1938, committing a series of gruesome murders characterized by the dismemberment of at least twelve victims, primarily from the impoverished Kingsbury Run area. Despite extensive investigations, including efforts led by renowned lawman Eliot Ness, the case remains unsolved, with the killer never apprehended. In 2024, the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office initiated a project to use investigative genetic genealogy to identify the victims, indicating ongoing efforts to resolve this historical case.
Theories surrounding the Cleveland Torso Murderer include speculation that the killer may have had ties to the local community, particularly given the victims' backgrounds in the impoverished "Roaring Third" area known for vice and transience. Some investigators suggest that the actual number of victims could exceed the officially recognized twelve, potentially reaching twenty or more, indicating a broader pattern of violence. Additionally, there is ongoing interest in using modern forensic techniques, such as DNA analysis, to identify the victims and possibly uncover new leads about the murderer.
Cleveland Torso Murderer
Overview
The Cleveland Torso Murderer, also known as the Mad Butcher of Kingsbury Run, is an unidentified American serial killer whose gruesome activities terrorized Cleveland, Ohio, during the 1930s. This chilling case is distinguished by the brutal dismemberment of thirteen known victims, with their remains primarily dumped in the impoverished neighborhood of Kingsbury Run. The area, infamously nicknamed "The Roaring Third" or "Hobo Jungle," was notorious for its bars, gambling dens, and brothels, making it a haven for vagrants and drifters. Despite extensive investigations—including efforts led by the legendary lawman Eliot Ness—the killer was never caught. In 2024, a new chapter in this cold case emerged when the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office collaborated with the DNA Doe Project to exhume some of the victims, aiming to leverage investigative genetic genealogy for identification.
Quick Facts
- Other Names: Mad Butcher of Kingsbury Run
- Victims: 13–20+
- Span of Crimes: September 5, 1934 – August 16, 1938
- Country: United States
- States: Ohio, possibly Pennsylvania and California
- Date Apprehended: Never apprehended
Murders
Cleveland police were on high alert as they searched for human remains in September 1936. The official number of murders attributed to the Cleveland Torso Murderer stands at twelve, but recent investigations have suggested that there could be as many as twenty or even more. The twelve confirmed victims were murdered between 1935 and 1938, with some investigators, such as lead detective Peter Merylo, believing that the grim tally might include victims from areas beyond Cleveland, including Youngstown and Pittsburgh, possibly stretching back to the 1920s and even into the 1950s. Notable candidates for this expanded list include the Lady of the Lake, found on September 5, 1934, and Robert Robertson, discovered on July 22, 1950.
Most victims were transient drifters, their identities often lost to history, although a few exceptions exist. Victims numbered 2, 3, and 8 were identified as Edward Andrassy, Florence Polillo, and possibly Rose Wallace, respectively. Andrassy and Polillo were confirmed through fingerprint analysis, while Wallace's identification relied on dental records. The victims predominantly belonged to the lower class, making them vulnerable during the Great Depression. Many were part of the "working poor," living in makeshift communities known as "Hoovervilles" in the Cleveland Flats.
Modus Operandi
The Torso Murderer had a signature method of execution: he always beheaded and frequently dismembered his victims, often severing bodies in half or removing limbs entirely. In many instances, the cause of death was the dismemberment itself. Most male victims were castrated, and some showed signs of chemical treatments that rendered their skin red, tough, and leathery. Disturbingly, many of the bodies were discovered long after death, sometimes over a year later, complicating identification efforts, especially since the heads were often missing.
During this terrifying period, Eliot Ness served as Cleveland's Public Safety Director, overseeing the police and fire departments. Ness's involvement in the case included the arrest and interrogation of prime suspect Dr. Francis Sweeney. In a bid to collect fingerprints and remove potential victims from the area, Ness ordered the destruction of several shantytowns. Following this, on August 22, 1938, he initiated a large-scale search operation across Cleveland, disguised as fire inspections. Although this effort did not uncover new leads in the Torso Murders, it did expose the dire living conditions in the area, prompting a call for social reform.
In a twist of macabre irony, the Torso Murderer taunted Ness by placing the remains of two victims within sight of his office at City Hall, further intensifying the hunt for the elusive killer.
Victims
Most researchers agree on twelve confirmed victims, though some estimates range as high as twenty or forty. The possibility of including the Lady of the Lake and Robert Robertson as victims has sparked heated debate among experts. Out of the identified victims, only three have been positively matched to their names; the remaining ten are classified as six John Does and four Jane Does. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office began exhuming unidentified victims in August 2024 in collaboration with the DNA Doe Project.
Notable Victims
Edward Andrassy
Edward Anthony Andrassy, age 29, was discovered on September 23, 1935, in a gully at the base of Jackass Hill. His head was found buried nearby, and his body was emasculated and only wearing socks. The autopsy revealed that he had been decapitated at the mid-cervical region, with rope burns on his wrists. The cause of death was ruled as decapitation, with hemorrhage and shock noted. Andrassy had previously worked as an orderly in the psychiatric ward at Cleveland City Hospital, but at the time of his death, he was unemployed.
John Doe I
Close to Andrassy, the decapitated remains of another white male—dubbed John Doe I—were found at the foot of East 49th Street. His body was saturated with oil and appeared to have been set on fire post-mortem, causing the skin to become reddish and leathery. The unidentified victim had either his body hair shaved or burned off.
Florence Polillo
Florence Genevieve Polillo, age 44, was discovered on January 26, 1936, in East Cleveland, dismembered and wrapped in paper, packed into half-bushel baskets. Her head was never found, and the coroner could not definitively classify her death as a homicide due to the lack of evidence.
John Doe II (The Tattooed Man)
On June 5, 1936, the torso of an unidentified man—later nicknamed the Tattooed Man—was located near the New York Central and Nickel Plate Road tracks. His head was found nearby, and the body exhibited signs of having been killed elsewhere, with no blood at the scene. The physical evidence suggested decapitation occurred while the victim was still alive. He bore six tattoos, which gave him his nickname.
John Doe III
On July 22, 1936, police discovered the decomposed remains of another white male near a homeless camp in the Big Creek area. This victim was the only known West Side victim of the Torso Murderer and had been killed at the location where he was found.
Jane Doe I
On February 23, 1937, the upper portion of an unidentified female torso was found washed ashore at Euclid Beach. The lower half was discovered three months later at East 30th Street. The cause of death remained officially undetermined.
Jane Doe II
On June 6, 1937, the partial skeleton of a woman, later tentatively identified as Rose Wallace, was found beneath the Lorain-Carnegie Bridge. The victim had been buried in a rotting burlap sack, and she was decapitated.
John Doe V
On July 6, 1937, the upper portion of a man's torso was found floating in the Cuyahoga River, wrapped in burlap. The head and internal organs were never recovered.
Jane Doe III
On April 8, 1938, a woman's leg was located in the Cuyahoga River. A month later, two burlap bags containing her bisected torso and thighs were discovered. This victim was notable for having morphine in her system.
Jane Doe IV and John Doe VI
On August 16, 1938, dismembered bodies were found at a dump by scrap metal hunters. Jane Doe IV was wrapped in rags and paper, while John Doe VI was found in plain sight of Eliot Ness's office at City Hall.
Possible Victims
Lady of the Lake
On September 5, 1934, the lower half of a woman's torso washed ashore on Lake Erie, leading to the nickname Lady of the Lake. The head was never found, and her body bore signs of chemical treatment, complicating identification.
Robert Robertson
On July 22, 1950, Robert Robertson, aged 41, was discovered with signs of intentional decapitation. His case received newspaper coverage linking it to the Torso Murderer, although it was treated as an isolated incident.
Other Possible Related Murders
Between 1921 and 1942, nine dismembered bodies were found near Pittsburgh, theorized to be additional victims of the Torso Murderer. Their injuries bore striking similarities to the Cleveland victims.
Possible Link to Black Dahlia Murder
In December 1938, the Torso Murderer allegedly sent a letter to Ness claiming to have moved to California, where he killed a woman, possibly linking him to the infamous Black Dahlia Murder. However, evidence connecting the two cases remains circumstantial.
Suspects
The search for the Torso Murderer led authorities to interrogate around 9,100 individuals, narrowing down to two primary suspects: Frank Dolezal and Dr. Francis Sweeney. Dolezal, arrested in 1939, died under suspicious circumstances while in custody and was posthumously exonerated.
Dr. Sweeney, a World War I veteran, struggled with alcoholism and was interrogated by Ness. He failed two polygraph tests administered by expert Leonarde Keeler, who believed Sweeney to be the murderer. However, evidence against him was circumstantial, leading to his commitment to an institution. After his confinement, Sweeney sent threatening postcards to Ness, which only ceased upon his death in 1964.
In addition to these suspects, Willie Johnson, who was convicted of a similar murder in 1942, was examined but not conclusively linked to the Torso Murders. The investigation even considered the possibility that the killings were committed by multiple individuals, based on inconclusive autopsy results.
In Popular Culture
The Cleveland Torso Murders have inspired numerous interpretations in popular media. The 2018 film The Kingsbury Run presents a modern take on the murders, while an episode of Unsolved Mysteries delves into the chilling events. The graphic novel Torso by Brian Michael Bendis details Eliot Ness's pursuit of the killer. Additionally, the novel Torsos by John Peyton Cooke provides a fictionalized account, earning recognition for its atmospheric depiction of 1930s Cleveland.
Moreover, American Demon by Daniel Stashower chronicles the murders alongside Ness's investigation, while Trail of Cthulhu, a tabletop role-playing game, features an introductory adventure inspired by the Torso Murders.
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Lady of the Lake Found
The lower half of a woman's torso, known as the 'Lady of the Lake', was discovered on the shores of Lake Erie.
First Confirmed Victim
Edward Andrassy's dismembered body was found in Kingsbury Run, marking the beginning of the confirmed torso murders.
Florence Polillo Discovered
The dismembered remains of Florence Polillo were found, further escalating the investigation into the torso murders.
John Doe II Found
The decapitated torso of an unidentified man, known as the Tattooed Man, was discovered, adding to the body count.
Final Victims Found
The bodies of Jane Doe IV and John Doe VI were discovered, marking the last known victims attributed to the Torso Murderer.
Ness's Search Operation
Eliot Ness launched a large search operation in Cleveland, aiming to uncover more evidence related to the torso murders.
Frank Dolezal Arrested
Frank Dolezal was arrested as a suspect in the murders but died under suspicious circumstances while in custody.
Dr. Francis Sweeney Dies
Dr. Francis Sweeney, a prime suspect in the torso murders, died in a veterans' hospital, leaving the case unresolved.
Exhumations Begin
The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office began exhuming victims to use DNA genealogy for identification.
The Cleveland Torso Murderer, an unidentified serial killer, was active in Cleveland, Ohio, from 1935 to 1938, committing a series of gruesome murders characterized by the dismemberment of at least twelve victims, primarily from the impoverished Kingsbury Run area. Despite extensive investigations, including efforts led by renowned lawman Eliot Ness, the case remains unsolved, with the killer never apprehended. In 2024, the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office initiated a project to use investigative genetic genealogy to identify the victims, indicating ongoing efforts to resolve this historical case.
Theories surrounding the Cleveland Torso Murderer include speculation that the killer may have had ties to the local community, particularly given the victims' backgrounds in the impoverished "Roaring Third" area known for vice and transience. Some investigators suggest that the actual number of victims could exceed the officially recognized twelve, potentially reaching twenty or more, indicating a broader pattern of violence. Additionally, there is ongoing interest in using modern forensic techniques, such as DNA analysis, to identify the victims and possibly uncover new leads about the murderer.
Cleveland Torso Murderer
Overview
The Cleveland Torso Murderer, also known as the Mad Butcher of Kingsbury Run, is an unidentified American serial killer whose gruesome activities terrorized Cleveland, Ohio, during the 1930s. This chilling case is distinguished by the brutal dismemberment of thirteen known victims, with their remains primarily dumped in the impoverished neighborhood of Kingsbury Run. The area, infamously nicknamed "The Roaring Third" or "Hobo Jungle," was notorious for its bars, gambling dens, and brothels, making it a haven for vagrants and drifters. Despite extensive investigations—including efforts led by the legendary lawman Eliot Ness—the killer was never caught. In 2024, a new chapter in this cold case emerged when the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office collaborated with the DNA Doe Project to exhume some of the victims, aiming to leverage investigative genetic genealogy for identification.
Quick Facts
- Other Names: Mad Butcher of Kingsbury Run
- Victims: 13–20+
- Span of Crimes: September 5, 1934 – August 16, 1938
- Country: United States
- States: Ohio, possibly Pennsylvania and California
- Date Apprehended: Never apprehended
Murders
Cleveland police were on high alert as they searched for human remains in September 1936. The official number of murders attributed to the Cleveland Torso Murderer stands at twelve, but recent investigations have suggested that there could be as many as twenty or even more. The twelve confirmed victims were murdered between 1935 and 1938, with some investigators, such as lead detective Peter Merylo, believing that the grim tally might include victims from areas beyond Cleveland, including Youngstown and Pittsburgh, possibly stretching back to the 1920s and even into the 1950s. Notable candidates for this expanded list include the Lady of the Lake, found on September 5, 1934, and Robert Robertson, discovered on July 22, 1950.
Most victims were transient drifters, their identities often lost to history, although a few exceptions exist. Victims numbered 2, 3, and 8 were identified as Edward Andrassy, Florence Polillo, and possibly Rose Wallace, respectively. Andrassy and Polillo were confirmed through fingerprint analysis, while Wallace's identification relied on dental records. The victims predominantly belonged to the lower class, making them vulnerable during the Great Depression. Many were part of the "working poor," living in makeshift communities known as "Hoovervilles" in the Cleveland Flats.
Modus Operandi
The Torso Murderer had a signature method of execution: he always beheaded and frequently dismembered his victims, often severing bodies in half or removing limbs entirely. In many instances, the cause of death was the dismemberment itself. Most male victims were castrated, and some showed signs of chemical treatments that rendered their skin red, tough, and leathery. Disturbingly, many of the bodies were discovered long after death, sometimes over a year later, complicating identification efforts, especially since the heads were often missing.
During this terrifying period, Eliot Ness served as Cleveland's Public Safety Director, overseeing the police and fire departments. Ness's involvement in the case included the arrest and interrogation of prime suspect Dr. Francis Sweeney. In a bid to collect fingerprints and remove potential victims from the area, Ness ordered the destruction of several shantytowns. Following this, on August 22, 1938, he initiated a large-scale search operation across Cleveland, disguised as fire inspections. Although this effort did not uncover new leads in the Torso Murders, it did expose the dire living conditions in the area, prompting a call for social reform.
In a twist of macabre irony, the Torso Murderer taunted Ness by placing the remains of two victims within sight of his office at City Hall, further intensifying the hunt for the elusive killer.
Victims
Most researchers agree on twelve confirmed victims, though some estimates range as high as twenty or forty. The possibility of including the Lady of the Lake and Robert Robertson as victims has sparked heated debate among experts. Out of the identified victims, only three have been positively matched to their names; the remaining ten are classified as six John Does and four Jane Does. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office began exhuming unidentified victims in August 2024 in collaboration with the DNA Doe Project.
Notable Victims
Edward Andrassy
Edward Anthony Andrassy, age 29, was discovered on September 23, 1935, in a gully at the base of Jackass Hill. His head was found buried nearby, and his body was emasculated and only wearing socks. The autopsy revealed that he had been decapitated at the mid-cervical region, with rope burns on his wrists. The cause of death was ruled as decapitation, with hemorrhage and shock noted. Andrassy had previously worked as an orderly in the psychiatric ward at Cleveland City Hospital, but at the time of his death, he was unemployed.
John Doe I
Close to Andrassy, the decapitated remains of another white male—dubbed John Doe I—were found at the foot of East 49th Street. His body was saturated with oil and appeared to have been set on fire post-mortem, causing the skin to become reddish and leathery. The unidentified victim had either his body hair shaved or burned off.
Florence Polillo
Florence Genevieve Polillo, age 44, was discovered on January 26, 1936, in East Cleveland, dismembered and wrapped in paper, packed into half-bushel baskets. Her head was never found, and the coroner could not definitively classify her death as a homicide due to the lack of evidence.
John Doe II (The Tattooed Man)
On June 5, 1936, the torso of an unidentified man—later nicknamed the Tattooed Man—was located near the New York Central and Nickel Plate Road tracks. His head was found nearby, and the body exhibited signs of having been killed elsewhere, with no blood at the scene. The physical evidence suggested decapitation occurred while the victim was still alive. He bore six tattoos, which gave him his nickname.
John Doe III
On July 22, 1936, police discovered the decomposed remains of another white male near a homeless camp in the Big Creek area. This victim was the only known West Side victim of the Torso Murderer and had been killed at the location where he was found.
Jane Doe I
On February 23, 1937, the upper portion of an unidentified female torso was found washed ashore at Euclid Beach. The lower half was discovered three months later at East 30th Street. The cause of death remained officially undetermined.
Jane Doe II
On June 6, 1937, the partial skeleton of a woman, later tentatively identified as Rose Wallace, was found beneath the Lorain-Carnegie Bridge. The victim had been buried in a rotting burlap sack, and she was decapitated.
John Doe V
On July 6, 1937, the upper portion of a man's torso was found floating in the Cuyahoga River, wrapped in burlap. The head and internal organs were never recovered.
Jane Doe III
On April 8, 1938, a woman's leg was located in the Cuyahoga River. A month later, two burlap bags containing her bisected torso and thighs were discovered. This victim was notable for having morphine in her system.
Jane Doe IV and John Doe VI
On August 16, 1938, dismembered bodies were found at a dump by scrap metal hunters. Jane Doe IV was wrapped in rags and paper, while John Doe VI was found in plain sight of Eliot Ness's office at City Hall.
Possible Victims
Lady of the Lake
On September 5, 1934, the lower half of a woman's torso washed ashore on Lake Erie, leading to the nickname Lady of the Lake. The head was never found, and her body bore signs of chemical treatment, complicating identification.
Robert Robertson
On July 22, 1950, Robert Robertson, aged 41, was discovered with signs of intentional decapitation. His case received newspaper coverage linking it to the Torso Murderer, although it was treated as an isolated incident.
Other Possible Related Murders
Between 1921 and 1942, nine dismembered bodies were found near Pittsburgh, theorized to be additional victims of the Torso Murderer. Their injuries bore striking similarities to the Cleveland victims.
Possible Link to Black Dahlia Murder
In December 1938, the Torso Murderer allegedly sent a letter to Ness claiming to have moved to California, where he killed a woman, possibly linking him to the infamous Black Dahlia Murder. However, evidence connecting the two cases remains circumstantial.
Suspects
The search for the Torso Murderer led authorities to interrogate around 9,100 individuals, narrowing down to two primary suspects: Frank Dolezal and Dr. Francis Sweeney. Dolezal, arrested in 1939, died under suspicious circumstances while in custody and was posthumously exonerated.
Dr. Sweeney, a World War I veteran, struggled with alcoholism and was interrogated by Ness. He failed two polygraph tests administered by expert Leonarde Keeler, who believed Sweeney to be the murderer. However, evidence against him was circumstantial, leading to his commitment to an institution. After his confinement, Sweeney sent threatening postcards to Ness, which only ceased upon his death in 1964.
In addition to these suspects, Willie Johnson, who was convicted of a similar murder in 1942, was examined but not conclusively linked to the Torso Murders. The investigation even considered the possibility that the killings were committed by multiple individuals, based on inconclusive autopsy results.
In Popular Culture
The Cleveland Torso Murders have inspired numerous interpretations in popular media. The 2018 film The Kingsbury Run presents a modern take on the murders, while an episode of Unsolved Mysteries delves into the chilling events. The graphic novel Torso by Brian Michael Bendis details Eliot Ness's pursuit of the killer. Additionally, the novel Torsos by John Peyton Cooke provides a fictionalized account, earning recognition for its atmospheric depiction of 1930s Cleveland.
Moreover, American Demon by Daniel Stashower chronicles the murders alongside Ness's investigation, while Trail of Cthulhu, a tabletop role-playing game, features an introductory adventure inspired by the Torso Murders.
Sources
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...
Lady of the Lake Found
The lower half of a woman's torso, known as the 'Lady of the Lake', was discovered on the shores of Lake Erie.
First Confirmed Victim
Edward Andrassy's dismembered body was found in Kingsbury Run, marking the beginning of the confirmed torso murders.
Florence Polillo Discovered
The dismembered remains of Florence Polillo were found, further escalating the investigation into the torso murders.
John Doe II Found
The decapitated torso of an unidentified man, known as the Tattooed Man, was discovered, adding to the body count.
Final Victims Found
The bodies of Jane Doe IV and John Doe VI were discovered, marking the last known victims attributed to the Torso Murderer.
Ness's Search Operation
Eliot Ness launched a large search operation in Cleveland, aiming to uncover more evidence related to the torso murders.
Frank Dolezal Arrested
Frank Dolezal was arrested as a suspect in the murders but died under suspicious circumstances while in custody.
Dr. Francis Sweeney Dies
Dr. Francis Sweeney, a prime suspect in the torso murders, died in a veterans' hospital, leaving the case unresolved.
Exhumations Begin
The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office began exhuming victims to use DNA genealogy for identification.