Louise Peete
Female Serial Killer Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Los Angeles, California
TIME PERIOD
1944-1947
VICTIMS
3 confirmed
Louise Peete, an American serial killer, was convicted for the murder of wealthy mining engineer Jacob C. Denton on June 2, 1920, in California, leading to a life sentence in 1921. After being paroled in April 1939, she was apprehended again on December 20, 1944, for the murder of her employer, Margaret Logan, which occurred on June 1, 1944. Peete was subsequently convicted and sentenced to death, ultimately executed in the gas chamber at San Quentin State Prison on April 11, 1947, making her one of only four women executed in California's gas chamber. Significant evidence included a .32 S&W firearm linked to the Denton murder, and her criminal history indicated a pattern of financial gain as a motive for her crimes.
Louise Peete is believed to have committed her murders primarily for financial gain, as she targeted wealthy individuals. Some speculate that her troubled early life and multiple failed marriages contributed to her criminal behavior, suggesting a pattern of manipulation and deceit throughout her relationships. Additionally, there are theories that her charm and intelligence allowed her to evade suspicion for longer than she might have otherwise.
The Sinister Saga of Louise Peete
Louise Peete's life reads like a chilling thriller, filled with deception, manipulation, and murder. Born Lofie Louise Preslar on September 20, 1880, in Bienville, Louisiana, she was the daughter of a wealthy newspaper publisher. Despite her cultured upbringing, Louise's early life hinted at the darkness that would later define her existence. Expelled from a private New Orleans school at 15 for theft and promiscuity, she embarked on a life of crime and duplicity.
A Path Paved with Deception
Louise's tumultuous journey began with her marriage to Henry Bosley in 1903. Bosley, a traveling salesman, met a tragic end in 1906, committing suicide after discovering Louise in bed with another man. Following his death, Louise moved to Shreveport, working as a high-class prostitute and stealing from her clients. Her ventures took her to Boston in 1911, where she reinvented herself as Louise M. Gould, a supposed Dallas heiress, charming her way into wealthy families and leaving a trail of theft and deceit.
The Murders Begin
By 1913, Louise had moved to Waco, Texas, where she became involved with Joe Appel, a wealthy oil baron. Just a week after they met, Appel was found dead, shot, and robbed of his jewelry. Louise convinced a grand jury that she acted in self-defense against an attempted rape, and the charge was dismissed. She continued her pattern of manipulation, marrying and driving another husband, Harry Faurote, to suicide under suspicious circumstances involving a jewel theft.
Louise's criminal endeavors took her to Denver by 1915, where she married Richard Peete. They had a daughter, Frances Ann, but their marriage was fraught with discord. In 1920, Louise left her family behind and moved to Los Angeles, where her path crossed with Jacob C. Denton, a wealthy mining engineer.
The Mysterious Disappearance of Jacob C. Denton
Denton, a widower with a teenage daughter, met Louise when she inquired about renting his 14-room mansion. He agreed to a remarkably low rent, and Louise moved in on May 26, 1920. The nature of their relationship remains unclear, but Louise claimed they were romantically involved. Just days later, on June 2, Denton disappeared. Louise concocted a bizarre story about a mysterious woman attacking Denton, claiming he was in hiding due to shame over an amputated arm.
Meanwhile, she forged Denton's signature to access his bank accounts and safe deposit box, living lavishly on his wealth. When Denton's daughter hired an attorney to find him, a search of the mansion on September 23 revealed Denton's decomposing body buried in the basement. An autopsy showed he had been shot and strangled. Louise was tracked down in Denver, arrested, and brought back to Los Angeles for trial.
The First Conviction
Louise's trial in early 1921 captivated the nation. Despite her attempts to deflect blame onto a nonexistent mysterious woman, she was convicted of first-degree murder on February 17, 1921, and sentenced to life in prison. Her husband Richard remained loyal, but Louise eventually urged him to divorce her. Heartbroken, Richard committed suicide in 1924.
Life Behind Bars and Another Chance
Imprisoned at San Quentin and later at the California Institution for Women, Louise was a model inmate. Her good behavior earned her parole in 1939, after 18 years behind bars. She was released into the custody of Jessie Marcy, who died shortly thereafter of natural causes. Louise then moved in with her probation officer, Emily Latham, who also died of a heart attack in 1943. Neither death was investigated thoroughly.
The Final Act: Murder of Margaret Logan
Louise's next chapter unfolded with Arthur and Margaret Logan in Pacific Palisades. Margaret, a retired social worker, had advocated for Louise's release and hired her as a housekeeper. On May 2, 1944, Louise married Lee Borden Judson, concealing her past. Just a month later, Margaret vanished. Louise accused Arthur of attacking his wife, but when Arthur died in December 1944, suspicions arose.
Police discovered Margaret's body buried in the Logans' backyard on December 20, leading to Louise's arrest. She claimed Arthur killed his wife in a frenzy, but an autopsy revealed Margaret had been shot and bludgeoned. Louise was indicted for murder once again.
The Final Judgment
Louise's second trial began on April 23, 1945. The prosecution argued that she killed Margaret for financial gain, a theory supported by evidence of forgery and theft. On May 31, 1945, Louise was found guilty and sentenced to death. Despite her protests of innocence, her appeals failed. On April 11, 1947, she was executed in the gas chamber at San Quentin State Prison, becoming the second woman executed in California's history.
Louise Peete's life was marked by a chilling pattern of manipulation and murder, leaving a legacy of mystery and infamy. Her story remains a stark reminder of the darkness that can lurk beneath a charming facade.
Sources
For more details, refer to the Wikipedia article on Louise Peete.
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Jacob C. Denton Disappears
Louise Peete's landlord, Jacob C. Denton, goes missing shortly after she moves into his home.
Denton's Body Found
Denton's decomposing body is discovered buried in the basement of his home.
Peete's Trial Begins
Louise Peete's trial for the murder of Jacob C. Denton starts in Los Angeles.
Peete Convicted
Louise Peete is convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Paroled
Louise Peete is paroled after serving 18 years for the murder of Jacob C. Denton.
Margaret Logan Disappears
Margaret Logan, Peete's employer, goes missing under suspicious circumstances.
Logan's Body Found
Police discover the decomposing body of Margaret Logan buried in the backyard.
Second Trial Begins
Louise Peete's trial for the murder of Margaret Logan begins in Los Angeles.
Peete Sentenced to Death
Louise Peete is found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to death.
Execution
Louise Peete is executed in the gas chamber at San Quentin State Prison.
Louise Peete, an American serial killer, was convicted for the murder of wealthy mining engineer Jacob C. Denton on June 2, 1920, in California, leading to a life sentence in 1921. After being paroled in April 1939, she was apprehended again on December 20, 1944, for the murder of her employer, Margaret Logan, which occurred on June 1, 1944. Peete was subsequently convicted and sentenced to death, ultimately executed in the gas chamber at San Quentin State Prison on April 11, 1947, making her one of only four women executed in California's gas chamber. Significant evidence included a .32 S&W firearm linked to the Denton murder, and her criminal history indicated a pattern of financial gain as a motive for her crimes.
Louise Peete is believed to have committed her murders primarily for financial gain, as she targeted wealthy individuals. Some speculate that her troubled early life and multiple failed marriages contributed to her criminal behavior, suggesting a pattern of manipulation and deceit throughout her relationships. Additionally, there are theories that her charm and intelligence allowed her to evade suspicion for longer than she might have otherwise.
The Sinister Saga of Louise Peete
Louise Peete's life reads like a chilling thriller, filled with deception, manipulation, and murder. Born Lofie Louise Preslar on September 20, 1880, in Bienville, Louisiana, she was the daughter of a wealthy newspaper publisher. Despite her cultured upbringing, Louise's early life hinted at the darkness that would later define her existence. Expelled from a private New Orleans school at 15 for theft and promiscuity, she embarked on a life of crime and duplicity.
A Path Paved with Deception
Louise's tumultuous journey began with her marriage to Henry Bosley in 1903. Bosley, a traveling salesman, met a tragic end in 1906, committing suicide after discovering Louise in bed with another man. Following his death, Louise moved to Shreveport, working as a high-class prostitute and stealing from her clients. Her ventures took her to Boston in 1911, where she reinvented herself as Louise M. Gould, a supposed Dallas heiress, charming her way into wealthy families and leaving a trail of theft and deceit.
The Murders Begin
By 1913, Louise had moved to Waco, Texas, where she became involved with Joe Appel, a wealthy oil baron. Just a week after they met, Appel was found dead, shot, and robbed of his jewelry. Louise convinced a grand jury that she acted in self-defense against an attempted rape, and the charge was dismissed. She continued her pattern of manipulation, marrying and driving another husband, Harry Faurote, to suicide under suspicious circumstances involving a jewel theft.
Louise's criminal endeavors took her to Denver by 1915, where she married Richard Peete. They had a daughter, Frances Ann, but their marriage was fraught with discord. In 1920, Louise left her family behind and moved to Los Angeles, where her path crossed with Jacob C. Denton, a wealthy mining engineer.
The Mysterious Disappearance of Jacob C. Denton
Denton, a widower with a teenage daughter, met Louise when she inquired about renting his 14-room mansion. He agreed to a remarkably low rent, and Louise moved in on May 26, 1920. The nature of their relationship remains unclear, but Louise claimed they were romantically involved. Just days later, on June 2, Denton disappeared. Louise concocted a bizarre story about a mysterious woman attacking Denton, claiming he was in hiding due to shame over an amputated arm.
Meanwhile, she forged Denton's signature to access his bank accounts and safe deposit box, living lavishly on his wealth. When Denton's daughter hired an attorney to find him, a search of the mansion on September 23 revealed Denton's decomposing body buried in the basement. An autopsy showed he had been shot and strangled. Louise was tracked down in Denver, arrested, and brought back to Los Angeles for trial.
The First Conviction
Louise's trial in early 1921 captivated the nation. Despite her attempts to deflect blame onto a nonexistent mysterious woman, she was convicted of first-degree murder on February 17, 1921, and sentenced to life in prison. Her husband Richard remained loyal, but Louise eventually urged him to divorce her. Heartbroken, Richard committed suicide in 1924.
Life Behind Bars and Another Chance
Imprisoned at San Quentin and later at the California Institution for Women, Louise was a model inmate. Her good behavior earned her parole in 1939, after 18 years behind bars. She was released into the custody of Jessie Marcy, who died shortly thereafter of natural causes. Louise then moved in with her probation officer, Emily Latham, who also died of a heart attack in 1943. Neither death was investigated thoroughly.
The Final Act: Murder of Margaret Logan
Louise's next chapter unfolded with Arthur and Margaret Logan in Pacific Palisades. Margaret, a retired social worker, had advocated for Louise's release and hired her as a housekeeper. On May 2, 1944, Louise married Lee Borden Judson, concealing her past. Just a month later, Margaret vanished. Louise accused Arthur of attacking his wife, but when Arthur died in December 1944, suspicions arose.
Police discovered Margaret's body buried in the Logans' backyard on December 20, leading to Louise's arrest. She claimed Arthur killed his wife in a frenzy, but an autopsy revealed Margaret had been shot and bludgeoned. Louise was indicted for murder once again.
The Final Judgment
Louise's second trial began on April 23, 1945. The prosecution argued that she killed Margaret for financial gain, a theory supported by evidence of forgery and theft. On May 31, 1945, Louise was found guilty and sentenced to death. Despite her protests of innocence, her appeals failed. On April 11, 1947, she was executed in the gas chamber at San Quentin State Prison, becoming the second woman executed in California's history.
Louise Peete's life was marked by a chilling pattern of manipulation and murder, leaving a legacy of mystery and infamy. Her story remains a stark reminder of the darkness that can lurk beneath a charming facade.
Sources
For more details, refer to the Wikipedia article on Louise Peete.
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...
Jacob C. Denton Disappears
Louise Peete's landlord, Jacob C. Denton, goes missing shortly after she moves into his home.
Denton's Body Found
Denton's decomposing body is discovered buried in the basement of his home.
Peete's Trial Begins
Louise Peete's trial for the murder of Jacob C. Denton starts in Los Angeles.
Peete Convicted
Louise Peete is convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Paroled
Louise Peete is paroled after serving 18 years for the murder of Jacob C. Denton.
Margaret Logan Disappears
Margaret Logan, Peete's employer, goes missing under suspicious circumstances.
Logan's Body Found
Police discover the decomposing body of Margaret Logan buried in the backyard.
Second Trial Begins
Louise Peete's trial for the murder of Margaret Logan begins in Los Angeles.
Peete Sentenced to Death
Louise Peete is found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to death.
Execution
Louise Peete is executed in the gas chamber at San Quentin State Prison.