Earle Nelson
Serial Sex Murderer Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
San Francisco, California
TIME PERIOD
February 20, 1926 – June 9, 1927
VICTIMS
22 confirmed
Earle Leonard Nelson, also known as the "Gorilla Killer" and "Dark Strangler," was an American serial killer responsible for a series of rapes and murders spanning from February 20, 1926, to June 9, 1927, across multiple states including California, Oregon, and as far east as Pennsylvania, before ultimately committing his final crime in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Nelson, who was born on May 12, 1897, in San Francisco, exhibited troubling behavior from a young age and had a history of minor offenses, leading to a brief institutionalization. He was apprehended on June 16, 1927, after the murder of a teenage girl in Canada, where he was subsequently convicted of the murder of Emily Patterson and sentenced to death. Nelson was executed by hanging on January 13, 1928, with his crime spree believed to encompass 22 murders and numerous other attacks, primarily targeting middle-aged landladies whom he approached under the guise of renting a room. Significant evidence included his modus operandi of strangulation and post-mortem sexual assault, which has been documented in various investigative reports and inspired later media portrayals.
Earle Nelson is believed to have been influenced by his traumatic childhood and head injuries, which may have contributed to his violent behavior. Some speculate that his devoutly religious upbringing clashed with his predatory instincts, leading to a complex psychological profile. Additionally, there are theories that his method of targeting vulnerable women and his necrophilic tendencies suggest a deeper psychological disturbance linked to his past experiences and mental health issues.
The Dark Legacy of Earle Nelson
Introduction
Earle Leonard Nelson, born Earle Leonard Ferral on May 12, 1897, in San Francisco, California, would become one of the most notorious figures in American criminal history. Known infamously as the Gorilla Man, the Gorilla Killer, and the Dark Strangler, Nelson's reign of terror as a serial killer, rapist, and necrophile marked him as the first known serial sex murderer of the twentieth century.
Early Life
Nelson's early life was marred by tragedy and instability. His parents, Frances Nelson and James Carlos Ferral, both succumbed to syphilis before he turned two years old. Raised by his devoutly Pentecostal grandmother, Jennie Nelson, alongside her younger children, Willis and Lillian, Nelson's childhood in San Francisco was marked by bizarre behavior. By age seven, he was expelled from school, and at ten, a severe head injury from a bicycle accident left him unconscious for six days. This incident precipitated erratic behavior, frequent headaches, and memory loss. Described as a "psychotic prodigy," Nelson engaged in increasingly strange activities, including conversing with invisible entities and obsessively quoting biblical passages.
As he grew, Nelson frequented San Francisco's Barbary Coast red-light district, contracting a venereal disease in his teenage years. Despite his troubled psyche, he was physically robust, often displaying his strength through feats like walking on his hands and lifting heavy objects with his teeth.
Descent into Crime
Nelson's criminal activities began early, landing him a two-year sentence in San Quentin State Prison in 1915 for breaking into a seemingly abandoned cabin in Plumas County. His release in 1916 led to further arrests for petty larceny and burglary, culminating in a series of escapes from custody. By late 1917, Nelson's erratic behavior during a brief military stint resulted in his commitment to Napa State Mental Hospital. Diagnosed with a "constitutional psychotic state," he experienced hallucinations, paranoia, and suicidal ideations.
Despite these diagnoses, Nelson frequently escaped from the institution, earning the nickname "Houdini" from the staff. His file was closed in 1919, but his erratic behavior persisted, straining his brief marriage to Mary Martin, whom he married in August 1919. Their relationship was tumultuous, characterized by Nelson's jealousy, bizarre habits, and violent tendencies.
Criminal Escalation
On May 19, 1921, Nelson attempted to molest 12-year-old Mary Summers in San Francisco, posing as a plumber. This incident led to his recommitment to Napa State Mental Hospital, from which he escaped twice before his discharge in 1925. By early 1926, Nelson's crimes escalated to a series of murders, primarily targeting middle-aged landladies.
Murder Spree Begins
Nelson's killing spree began on February 20, 1926, with the murder of Clara Newman, a San Francisco landlady. Posing as "Roger Wilson," Nelson strangled and raped her, hiding her body in a vacant apartment. His subsequent victims included Laura Beale in San Jose and Lillian St. Mary in San Francisco, both strangled and sexually violated post-mortem. In each instance, Nelson's modus operandi was consistent: he posed as a mild-mannered drifter seeking lodging, only to attack his unsuspecting victims.
Expansion of Terror
In the fall of 1926, Nelson extended his murderous reach to Portland, Oregon, where he claimed the lives of Beata Withers, Virginia Grant, and Mabel Fluke. His brutality escalated with the murder of Anna Edmonds in San Francisco on November 18, 1926. Witnesses and police began to connect these crimes, noting the suspect's dark, stocky appearance and disproportionately long arms, leading the press to dub him the "Dark Strangler" and the "Gorilla Killer."
Public Panic and Police Announcements
As Nelson's crimes continued, the public's fear grew. Law enforcement in California and Oregon issued safety warnings, advising women to exercise caution when renting rooms or showing homes. Despite these efforts, Nelson's spree persisted across multiple states, including Iowa, Missouri, Pennsylvania, New York, Michigan, and Illinois, before he crossed into Canada.
Final Capture and Execution
Nelson's final acts of violence occurred in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where he raped and murdered a teenage girl before killing Emily Patterson. On June 16, 1927, Canadian authorities apprehended him, and he was convicted for Patterson's murder. Sentenced to death, Nelson was executed by hanging on January 13, 1928, at Vaughan Street Jail in Winnipeg.
Legacy and Influence
Earle Nelson's gruesome legacy left a lasting impact on popular culture, inspiring Alfred Hitchcock's 1943 film "Shadow of a Doubt." Recent research suggests his murder spree included at least 22 victims, making him one of the most prolific serial killers of his time.
Sources
For further information, visit the original Wikipedia article on Earle Nelson: Wikipedia
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First Murder Committed
Earle Nelson strangles and rapes Clara Newman, his first known victim, in San Francisco.
Murder in Portland
Nelson murders and hides the body of Beata Withers in a trunk in her home in Portland.
Blanche Myers Murdered
Nelson strangles and rapes Blanche Myers in her home, leaving fingerprints at the scene.
Emily Patterson Murdered
Nelson rapes and strangles Emily Patterson, discovered by her husband under their son's bed.
Arrested in Canada
Earle Nelson is arrested in Killarney, Manitoba, after a brief escape from custody.
Trial Begins
Nelson's trial for the murders of Lola Cowan and Emily Patterson begins in Winnipeg.
Convicted of Murder
Nelson is found guilty of murder and sentenced to death after a brief jury deliberation.
Executed by Hanging
Earle Nelson is executed by hanging at Vaughan Street Jail in Winnipeg.
Earle Leonard Nelson, also known as the "Gorilla Killer" and "Dark Strangler," was an American serial killer responsible for a series of rapes and murders spanning from February 20, 1926, to June 9, 1927, across multiple states including California, Oregon, and as far east as Pennsylvania, before ultimately committing his final crime in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Nelson, who was born on May 12, 1897, in San Francisco, exhibited troubling behavior from a young age and had a history of minor offenses, leading to a brief institutionalization. He was apprehended on June 16, 1927, after the murder of a teenage girl in Canada, where he was subsequently convicted of the murder of Emily Patterson and sentenced to death. Nelson was executed by hanging on January 13, 1928, with his crime spree believed to encompass 22 murders and numerous other attacks, primarily targeting middle-aged landladies whom he approached under the guise of renting a room. Significant evidence included his modus operandi of strangulation and post-mortem sexual assault, which has been documented in various investigative reports and inspired later media portrayals.
Earle Nelson is believed to have been influenced by his traumatic childhood and head injuries, which may have contributed to his violent behavior. Some speculate that his devoutly religious upbringing clashed with his predatory instincts, leading to a complex psychological profile. Additionally, there are theories that his method of targeting vulnerable women and his necrophilic tendencies suggest a deeper psychological disturbance linked to his past experiences and mental health issues.
The Dark Legacy of Earle Nelson
Introduction
Earle Leonard Nelson, born Earle Leonard Ferral on May 12, 1897, in San Francisco, California, would become one of the most notorious figures in American criminal history. Known infamously as the Gorilla Man, the Gorilla Killer, and the Dark Strangler, Nelson's reign of terror as a serial killer, rapist, and necrophile marked him as the first known serial sex murderer of the twentieth century.
Early Life
Nelson's early life was marred by tragedy and instability. His parents, Frances Nelson and James Carlos Ferral, both succumbed to syphilis before he turned two years old. Raised by his devoutly Pentecostal grandmother, Jennie Nelson, alongside her younger children, Willis and Lillian, Nelson's childhood in San Francisco was marked by bizarre behavior. By age seven, he was expelled from school, and at ten, a severe head injury from a bicycle accident left him unconscious for six days. This incident precipitated erratic behavior, frequent headaches, and memory loss. Described as a "psychotic prodigy," Nelson engaged in increasingly strange activities, including conversing with invisible entities and obsessively quoting biblical passages.
As he grew, Nelson frequented San Francisco's Barbary Coast red-light district, contracting a venereal disease in his teenage years. Despite his troubled psyche, he was physically robust, often displaying his strength through feats like walking on his hands and lifting heavy objects with his teeth.
Descent into Crime
Nelson's criminal activities began early, landing him a two-year sentence in San Quentin State Prison in 1915 for breaking into a seemingly abandoned cabin in Plumas County. His release in 1916 led to further arrests for petty larceny and burglary, culminating in a series of escapes from custody. By late 1917, Nelson's erratic behavior during a brief military stint resulted in his commitment to Napa State Mental Hospital. Diagnosed with a "constitutional psychotic state," he experienced hallucinations, paranoia, and suicidal ideations.
Despite these diagnoses, Nelson frequently escaped from the institution, earning the nickname "Houdini" from the staff. His file was closed in 1919, but his erratic behavior persisted, straining his brief marriage to Mary Martin, whom he married in August 1919. Their relationship was tumultuous, characterized by Nelson's jealousy, bizarre habits, and violent tendencies.
Criminal Escalation
On May 19, 1921, Nelson attempted to molest 12-year-old Mary Summers in San Francisco, posing as a plumber. This incident led to his recommitment to Napa State Mental Hospital, from which he escaped twice before his discharge in 1925. By early 1926, Nelson's crimes escalated to a series of murders, primarily targeting middle-aged landladies.
Murder Spree Begins
Nelson's killing spree began on February 20, 1926, with the murder of Clara Newman, a San Francisco landlady. Posing as "Roger Wilson," Nelson strangled and raped her, hiding her body in a vacant apartment. His subsequent victims included Laura Beale in San Jose and Lillian St. Mary in San Francisco, both strangled and sexually violated post-mortem. In each instance, Nelson's modus operandi was consistent: he posed as a mild-mannered drifter seeking lodging, only to attack his unsuspecting victims.
Expansion of Terror
In the fall of 1926, Nelson extended his murderous reach to Portland, Oregon, where he claimed the lives of Beata Withers, Virginia Grant, and Mabel Fluke. His brutality escalated with the murder of Anna Edmonds in San Francisco on November 18, 1926. Witnesses and police began to connect these crimes, noting the suspect's dark, stocky appearance and disproportionately long arms, leading the press to dub him the "Dark Strangler" and the "Gorilla Killer."
Public Panic and Police Announcements
As Nelson's crimes continued, the public's fear grew. Law enforcement in California and Oregon issued safety warnings, advising women to exercise caution when renting rooms or showing homes. Despite these efforts, Nelson's spree persisted across multiple states, including Iowa, Missouri, Pennsylvania, New York, Michigan, and Illinois, before he crossed into Canada.
Final Capture and Execution
Nelson's final acts of violence occurred in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where he raped and murdered a teenage girl before killing Emily Patterson. On June 16, 1927, Canadian authorities apprehended him, and he was convicted for Patterson's murder. Sentenced to death, Nelson was executed by hanging on January 13, 1928, at Vaughan Street Jail in Winnipeg.
Legacy and Influence
Earle Nelson's gruesome legacy left a lasting impact on popular culture, inspiring Alfred Hitchcock's 1943 film "Shadow of a Doubt." Recent research suggests his murder spree included at least 22 victims, making him one of the most prolific serial killers of his time.
Sources
For further information, visit the original Wikipedia article on Earle Nelson: Wikipedia
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 Murder Committed
Earle Nelson strangles and rapes Clara Newman, his first known victim, in San Francisco.
Murder in Portland
Nelson murders and hides the body of Beata Withers in a trunk in her home in Portland.
Blanche Myers Murdered
Nelson strangles and rapes Blanche Myers in her home, leaving fingerprints at the scene.
Emily Patterson Murdered
Nelson rapes and strangles Emily Patterson, discovered by her husband under their son's bed.
Arrested in Canada
Earle Nelson is arrested in Killarney, Manitoba, after a brief escape from custody.
Trial Begins
Nelson's trial for the murders of Lola Cowan and Emily Patterson begins in Winnipeg.
Convicted of Murder
Nelson is found guilty of murder and sentenced to death after a brief jury deliberation.
Executed by Hanging
Earle Nelson is executed by hanging at Vaughan Street Jail in Winnipeg.