The Denver Strangler: A Chilling Unsolved Mystery

The shadowy figure of the Denver Strangler loomed over the streets of Denver, Colorado, from 1894 to 1903, leaving a trail of fear and unanswered questions in his wake. This unidentified serial killer is believed to have claimed the lives of at least three women in a horrifying spree that lasted just 10 weeks in 1894. Despite extensive investigations and numerous arrests, the Strangler was never caught, and the case remains a dark chapter in the city's history.

Quick Facts

• Other Names: Jack the Strangler, The Strangler of Denver
• Victims: 3–5
• Span of Crimes: 1894–1903
• Country: United States
• State: Colorado
• Date Apprehended: Never apprehended
• Imprisoned At: Never captured

The Victims

Lena Tapper

Lena Tapper, a French prostitute known for her "unchaste" reputation, moved to Denver as the mistress of Richard Demady. Both were affiliated with a clandestine French order called the Macquereaux, where Tapper served as a sex servant. On September 3, 1894, her lifeless body was discovered, strangled on her bed in her Market Street residence.

Marie Contassoit

Another victim, Marie Contassoit, also hailed from France and was linked to the Macquereaux. She was found dead in her bed, the marks of a struggle evident. A thin cord had been drawn so tightly around her neck that it embedded into her flesh, leaving behind telltale finger marks. While authorities initially suspected robbery—she only had 75 cents left at the time of her death—five men, including Demady, were arrested but later released due to lack of evidence.

Kiku Oyama

Kiku Oyama, a 24-year-old Japanese immigrant, had arrived in Denver in 1893. Just days before her murder on November 13, 1894, police had raided local prostitution businesses, leading to her involvement in a heated quarrel with a saloon keeper. That fateful night, after a brief conversation with friends, she retreated to her home, only to be found later with a towel around her neck, gasping for air. Despite her lover’s desperate attempts to save her, Kiku succumbed to her injuries. The scene of her murder revealed signs of a violent struggle, and the presence of blood-soaked sheets suggested a brutal attack.

Suspected Murders

Julia Voght

In a bizarre twist, Julia Voght, a clairvoyant and medium, claimed to have received a vision of the Strangler during the initial wave of murders. Tragically, on October 7, 1898, she was found dead in her apartment, a towel tightly bound around her neck. Speculation arose that the Strangler sought to silence her, fearing she might expose him.

Mabel Brown

Nine years after the spree began, in 1903, Mabel Brown was discovered dead in her Market Street room, her hands bound and a handkerchief stuffed in her mouth. Strangulation marks on her neck bore the hallmarks of the Strangler's previous victims, reigniting fears that he was still at large.

The Suspects

Richard Demady

Richard Demady, a prime suspect and Tapper's lover, was arrested in connection with her murder. Despite circumstantial evidence and a sensational trial that captivated the nation, he was acquitted. The prosecution's case, which included testimony from witnesses claiming to have seen a struggle, fell apart, leaving Demady free and the Strangler still at large. After the trial, he fled to Brazil, leaving behind a legacy of suspicion.

Frank Roch

Frank Roch, a French Canadian roustabout, was apprehended after fitting the description of a man seen fleeing the scene of Kiku Oyama's murder. However, the police quickly dismissed him as a suspect, recognizing he was unlikely to be the killer.

H. Meller

An Italian man named H. Meller came under police scrutiny after he attempted to strangle another woman in November 1894. While he displayed violent tendencies, authorities were skeptical that he had any connection to the Strangler.

Victor Monchereaux

Victor Monchereaux, a French carpenter with large hands, emerged as a suspect when his friend Alphonse Lemaire drunkenly confessed to having knowledge of the murders. Lemaire's claims, however, were met with skepticism, as Monchereaux later accused him of being the true Strangler. The intricate web of accusations left detectives chasing shadows, with no conclusive evidence pointing to either man.

Conclusion

The Denver Strangler remains one of the most chilling unsolved mysteries in American crime history. The web of deceit, fear, and unresolved murders has captivated the imaginations of true crime enthusiasts for over a century. As the specter of the Strangler still haunts the streets of Denver, the search for closure continues—who was he, and why did he choose his victims? The answers may forever remain locked away in the annals of history.

Sources

• Denver Strangler - Wikipedia