The Dayton Strangler

Overview

The Dayton Strangler remains one of the most chilling enigmas in American criminal history. This unidentified serial killer terrorized Dayton, Ohio, from 1900 to 1909, brutally taking the lives of at least five women and one man. Despite a flurry of arrests—including the wrongful conviction of one suspect—the case remains officially unsolved, shrouded in mystery and speculation to this day.

Quick Facts

• Other Names: "Strangler of Death Lane", "Man Gorilla of Death Lane", "Jack the Strangler"
• Victims: 6-9+
• Span of Crimes: 1900–1909
• Country: United States
• State: Ohio

The Murders

Ada Lantz

The tragic story of Ada Lantz begins on October 14, 1900. This 11-year-old girl, the daughter of a respected local carpenter, was found dead in a vault in her parents' backyard. The night before, a lively party had been taking place at their home. While the adults were absorbed in card games, Ada slipped away unnoticed. Just thirty minutes later, her mutilated body was discovered, bearing gruesome signs of violence, including a deep scar across her face from a blunt instrument, and evidence of sexual assault.

In the wake of this horrific crime, authorities arrested several suspects. One notable figure was Emmons, who had been seen lingering near the Lantz home by two witnesses. A year later, Harrison Blessing, an 18-year-old, was apprehended in a Germantown saloon after a tip from William Hanna, a local bicycle shop owner who reported Blessing had stolen a wheel from him. Although Blessing allegedly confessed to the murder, he was released due to a lack of evidence, leaving the case open and unsolved.

Dona Gilman

Fast forward to November 20, 1906, the case of Dona Gilman adds another layer of complexity to the Strangler's terrifying narrative. Dona, a 20-year-old employee at the National Cash Register Works, left work that day and boarded a train home. She usually traveled with her sister, Fayne, but that evening, she was alone. Just the night before, she had penned a love note to her boyfriend Stanley Anderson, expressing her longing to see him.

After her disappearance, a neighbor, Robert Keyes, reported hearing what sounded like a struggle coming from the Gilman residence. Tragically, Dona's body was discovered just 200 yards from her home, hidden in some weeds. Her belongings—her gloves and umbrella—were found across the street. The police quickly surmised that she hadn’t died at the location where her body was found; rather, it was likely she was murdered elsewhere and dumped there later. Despite extensive investigations, including a Cincinnati detective finding her book near the scene, no one was ever convicted for her murder.

Anna Markowitz and Abe Cohan

On August 4, 1907, the lives of Anna Markowitz and her boyfriend Abe Cohan would end in a horrifying act of violence. The couple, along with Anna's younger sister Bertha, were walking near the National Soldiers' Home when an assailant ambushed them. Cohan was struck and shot twice in the stomach, while Anna was brutally attacked. Bertha fled to call for help, and upon the posse's arrival, they discovered Cohan barely alive and Anna’s lifeless body, indicating a violent struggle leading to her rape and strangulation.

Though Cohan was rushed to the hospital, he succumbed to his injuries two days later, leaving behind only a trail of grief and confusion. A witness, Eliza Virus, reported hearing gunshots and a woman crying out for "Harry" on the night of the attack. The mystery deepened when Layton Hines, a black man, was arrested and wrongfully convicted of the double murder, only to be exonerated later as doubts about his guilt surfaced.

Mary Forschner

The case of Mary Forschner adds yet another tragic chapter to the Dayton Strangler saga. On January 24, 1909, the 15-year-old, described as strikingly pretty, left her stepfather's home with a deposit book containing $9. When she failed to return, her worried family organized a search. Tragically, her body was discovered in a disturbed area near the estate of Grafton C. Kennedy. The coroner concluded she had been sexually assaulted and strangled.

Eyewitness accounts added to the complexity: Sam Morris claimed he saw a suspicious man near the scene, and another woman, Mrs. John Scheff, reported a man following her as she returned home. The forensic investigation revealed that the killer had unusually large hands, and a railroad detective even reported seeing a man fitting the assailant's description at a nearby train station shortly after the murder. Yet again, the killer slipped through the fingers of the law.

Elizabeth Fulhart

The final known victim of the Dayton Strangler was Elizabeth Fulhart, an 18-year-old who arrived in Dayton searching for work. On February 7, 1909, she mysteriously disappeared, only to be found a week later in an old cistern, her body wrapped in a gunny sack. What was particularly perplexing was that she was fully clothed but lacked her undergarments, suggesting a disturbing level of premeditation by her killer.

The coroner struggled to determine the cause of death, leading to wild speculation ranging from poisoning to suicide. The murder sent shockwaves through the community, causing a marked decline in church attendance among local women, as many feared for their safety. After Fulhart's death, the string of murders came to an abrupt halt, but the fear and uncertainty lingered.

Suspects

David Curtis

Among the many suspects, David Curtis, a 27-year-old known as "Baby Dave," was arrested after a tip-off from a journalist. Curtis confessed to murdering Dona Gilman in a bizarre tale that involved stalking her home from the train station. However, his confession was met with skepticism, especially since he had previously made a false confession to another murder. Despite the evidence against him, he was cleared of Gilman's murder and received public support upon his release.

The Gilman Family

In a shocking twist, members of the Gilman family found themselves under suspicion following Dona's death. On the day Dona's body was exhumed, her mother, Kate, was arrested due to her failing health, while her siblings faced charges as accessories. The family vehemently denied any wrongdoing, but the fallout was devastating. Kate attempted suicide in the hospital, and the family struggled under the weight of suspicion until they were eventually cleared.

Layton Hines

Layton Hines, a black man, was arrested for the double murder of Anna Markowitz and Abe Cohan. His conviction was marred by claims of coercion and abuse by law enforcement, casting doubt on the integrity of his confession. Over time, as the murders continued, authorities began to question the validity of his conviction and ultimately released him.

Other Suspects

In the chaotic aftermath of the murders, numerous suspects were scrutinized and subsequently cleared.

• James Rogers, a transient, was arrested but released without evidence.
• Mr. Poole, who claimed to know the killer, was debunked.
• Several individuals, including Anna Markowitz's brothers and others connected to the victims, were also arrested but ultimately exonerated.

As the investigation progressed, even the detective leading the Gilman case faced jail time for contempt of court, reflecting the intense pressure and confusion surrounding the murders.

Conclusion

The Dayton Strangler case remains a haunting reminder of the darkness that can lurk in communities, even those that seem peaceful. Despite the passage of time, the identities of the victims and the pain endured by their families continue to resonate, leaving many to wonder if the Strangler will ever be brought to justice.

Sources

• Wikipedia: Dayton Strangler