Nathaniel Lipscomb
Serial Killer Execution Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Baltimore, Maryland
TIME PERIOD
1958-1959
VICTIMS
3 confirmed
Nathaniel Lipscomb, known as "The Dawn Strangler," was an American serial killer responsible for three rape-murders in Baltimore, Maryland, between 1958 and 1959, as well as a possible earlier murder in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 1951. He was apprehended on April 17, 1959, following a series of sexual assaults and murders that terrorized the Baltimore community. Lipscomb was convicted of three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of rape, ultimately being executed by gas chamber at the Maryland State Penitentiary on June 9, 1961, marking him as the last individual executed in Maryland prior to the landmark Supreme Court case Furman v. Georgia. Significant evidence included witness testimonies and Lipscomb's own confessions, which linked him to the crimes, although physical evidence was scarce in the earlier Charlotte murder.
Nathaniel Lipscomb is believed to have been involved in multiple sexual assaults prior to his confirmed murders, with speculation surrounding a possible earlier murder in Charlotte, North Carolina. Some theories suggest that his history of voyeurism and minor offenses may have escalated into more violent crimes, indicating a pattern of escalating behavior. Additionally, Lipscomb's execution marked a significant moment as he was the last convict executed in Maryland before the landmark Furman v. Georgia decision, leading to discussions about the implications of his case on capital punishment laws.
The Dark Legacy of Nathaniel Lipscomb: The Dawn Strangler
A Chilling Tale Begins
The life of Nathaniel Lipscomb, born in 1929 in the small town of Gaffney, South Carolina, would become a chilling chapter in American criminal history. Known infamously as "The Dawn Strangler," Lipscomb's heinous crimes left an indelible mark on Baltimore, Maryland, between 1958 and 1959, claiming the lives of three women and possibly more. His execution in 1961 marked the last such event in Maryland before the Supreme Court's landmark decision in Furman v. Georgia.
Early Life and Troubling Signs
Little is known about Lipscomb's early years, but his later confessions painted a picture of a troubled youth. His criminal activities began with voyeurism, which led to a stint in jail after he was caught spying on a woman undressing in Gaffney. Following this, an arrest in North Carolina for bike theft resulted in another prison sentence. After his release, he drifted between Gaffney and Blacksburg, leaving a trail of suspicion and fear in his wake.
The Mysterious Death of Mrs. Howard Maxwell
On a quiet May afternoon in 1951, the tranquility of Charlotte, North Carolina, was shattered. The Mecklenburg County Police received a call about a horrific murder. Four-year-old Diane Maxwell had witnessed a nightmare: her mother, Mrs. Maxwell, lay in a pool of blood with fatal stab wounds to her eye, breast, and throat. Despite her injuries, Mrs. Maxwell had heroically stood to comfort her daughter before collapsing.
Witnesses recalled seeing a black man fleeing the scene, and soon after, a young Nathaniel Lipscomb was arrested for driving without a license and carrying a concealed weapon. In a twist, Lipscomb confessed to the murder, claiming it was an accident following an altercation when he entered the Maxwell home uninvited. This confession was accompanied by the presentation of a pearl-handled knife, allegedly used in the murder. However, Lipscomb's vacillation between confession and denial, coupled with contradictory lie detector tests, left the police frustrated and uncertain.
Deemed a "criminally dangerous person" after psychiatric evaluations revealed him as an impulsive sexual deviant with a low IQ, Lipscomb was nonetheless released from Cherry Hospital in October of that year. He vanished, leaving authorities on edge.
The Dawn Strangler's Reign of Terror
In December 1958, Baltimore became the hunting ground for a serial killer who preyed on older women. Dubbed "The Dawn Strangler" for his early morning attacks, the murderer left a trail of terror. The first victim, 38-year-old Mae Hall, was found strangled near her home. Her death was followed by the murder of 57-year-old nurse Lottie Kight, whose body was discovered with a handkerchief around her neck and signs of a desperate struggle.
The final known victim was 38-year-old Pearl Weiss, found dead in April 1959, her neck bruised and her shoes stolen. Despite extensive questioning and lie detector tests, the case grew cold, with the killer remaining elusive.
The Arrest and Trial of Nathaniel Lipscomb
The break in the case came on April 21, 1959, when Baltimore police, responding to a woman's screams, apprehended a man lurking in an alleyway. Nathaniel Lipscomb, found with women's panties in his pockets, was taken into custody. Under interrogation, Lipscomb admitted to the murder of Lottie Kight and implicated himself in the deaths of Hall and Weiss, though he later retracted his confessions.
The trial was swift. Lipscomb, showing no emotion, was convicted of three counts of first-degree murder and rape, despite defense claims of insanity. His appeal was denied, and the Maryland Court of Appeals upheld his death sentence.
The Final Act
On June 9, 1961, Nathaniel Lipscomb was executed in the gas chamber at Maryland State Penitentiary. His execution closed a dark chapter in Maryland's history, marking the last pre-Furman v. Georgia execution in the state.
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First Suspected Murder
Mrs. Howard Maxwell is found murdered in Charlotte, NC.
First Murder in Baltimore
Mae Hall is found strangled, marking the start of a series of murders.
Third Murder Occurs
Pearl Weiss is found strangled, linking her murder to the previous cases.
Lipscomb Arrested
Nathaniel Lipscomb is arrested after being found with women's panties.
Confession and Charges
Lipscomb confesses to the murders of Lottie Kight and others.
Trial Begins
Nathaniel Lipscomb's trial for the three murders commences.
Appeal Rejected
Lipscomb's appeal against his conviction is rejected by the court.
Execution
Nathaniel Lipscomb is executed in the gas chamber.
Nathaniel Lipscomb, known as "The Dawn Strangler," was an American serial killer responsible for three rape-murders in Baltimore, Maryland, between 1958 and 1959, as well as a possible earlier murder in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 1951. He was apprehended on April 17, 1959, following a series of sexual assaults and murders that terrorized the Baltimore community. Lipscomb was convicted of three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of rape, ultimately being executed by gas chamber at the Maryland State Penitentiary on June 9, 1961, marking him as the last individual executed in Maryland prior to the landmark Supreme Court case Furman v. Georgia. Significant evidence included witness testimonies and Lipscomb's own confessions, which linked him to the crimes, although physical evidence was scarce in the earlier Charlotte murder.
Nathaniel Lipscomb is believed to have been involved in multiple sexual assaults prior to his confirmed murders, with speculation surrounding a possible earlier murder in Charlotte, North Carolina. Some theories suggest that his history of voyeurism and minor offenses may have escalated into more violent crimes, indicating a pattern of escalating behavior. Additionally, Lipscomb's execution marked a significant moment as he was the last convict executed in Maryland before the landmark Furman v. Georgia decision, leading to discussions about the implications of his case on capital punishment laws.
The Dark Legacy of Nathaniel Lipscomb: The Dawn Strangler
A Chilling Tale Begins
The life of Nathaniel Lipscomb, born in 1929 in the small town of Gaffney, South Carolina, would become a chilling chapter in American criminal history. Known infamously as "The Dawn Strangler," Lipscomb's heinous crimes left an indelible mark on Baltimore, Maryland, between 1958 and 1959, claiming the lives of three women and possibly more. His execution in 1961 marked the last such event in Maryland before the Supreme Court's landmark decision in Furman v. Georgia.
Early Life and Troubling Signs
Little is known about Lipscomb's early years, but his later confessions painted a picture of a troubled youth. His criminal activities began with voyeurism, which led to a stint in jail after he was caught spying on a woman undressing in Gaffney. Following this, an arrest in North Carolina for bike theft resulted in another prison sentence. After his release, he drifted between Gaffney and Blacksburg, leaving a trail of suspicion and fear in his wake.
The Mysterious Death of Mrs. Howard Maxwell
On a quiet May afternoon in 1951, the tranquility of Charlotte, North Carolina, was shattered. The Mecklenburg County Police received a call about a horrific murder. Four-year-old Diane Maxwell had witnessed a nightmare: her mother, Mrs. Maxwell, lay in a pool of blood with fatal stab wounds to her eye, breast, and throat. Despite her injuries, Mrs. Maxwell had heroically stood to comfort her daughter before collapsing.
Witnesses recalled seeing a black man fleeing the scene, and soon after, a young Nathaniel Lipscomb was arrested for driving without a license and carrying a concealed weapon. In a twist, Lipscomb confessed to the murder, claiming it was an accident following an altercation when he entered the Maxwell home uninvited. This confession was accompanied by the presentation of a pearl-handled knife, allegedly used in the murder. However, Lipscomb's vacillation between confession and denial, coupled with contradictory lie detector tests, left the police frustrated and uncertain.
Deemed a "criminally dangerous person" after psychiatric evaluations revealed him as an impulsive sexual deviant with a low IQ, Lipscomb was nonetheless released from Cherry Hospital in October of that year. He vanished, leaving authorities on edge.
The Dawn Strangler's Reign of Terror
In December 1958, Baltimore became the hunting ground for a serial killer who preyed on older women. Dubbed "The Dawn Strangler" for his early morning attacks, the murderer left a trail of terror. The first victim, 38-year-old Mae Hall, was found strangled near her home. Her death was followed by the murder of 57-year-old nurse Lottie Kight, whose body was discovered with a handkerchief around her neck and signs of a desperate struggle.
The final known victim was 38-year-old Pearl Weiss, found dead in April 1959, her neck bruised and her shoes stolen. Despite extensive questioning and lie detector tests, the case grew cold, with the killer remaining elusive.
The Arrest and Trial of Nathaniel Lipscomb
The break in the case came on April 21, 1959, when Baltimore police, responding to a woman's screams, apprehended a man lurking in an alleyway. Nathaniel Lipscomb, found with women's panties in his pockets, was taken into custody. Under interrogation, Lipscomb admitted to the murder of Lottie Kight and implicated himself in the deaths of Hall and Weiss, though he later retracted his confessions.
The trial was swift. Lipscomb, showing no emotion, was convicted of three counts of first-degree murder and rape, despite defense claims of insanity. His appeal was denied, and the Maryland Court of Appeals upheld his death sentence.
The Final Act
On June 9, 1961, Nathaniel Lipscomb was executed in the gas chamber at Maryland State Penitentiary. His execution closed a dark chapter in Maryland's history, marking the last pre-Furman v. Georgia execution in the state.
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...
First Suspected Murder
Mrs. Howard Maxwell is found murdered in Charlotte, NC.
First Murder in Baltimore
Mae Hall is found strangled, marking the start of a series of murders.
Third Murder Occurs
Pearl Weiss is found strangled, linking her murder to the previous cases.
Lipscomb Arrested
Nathaniel Lipscomb is arrested after being found with women's panties.
Confession and Charges
Lipscomb confesses to the murders of Lottie Kight and others.
Trial Begins
Nathaniel Lipscomb's trial for the three murders commences.
Appeal Rejected
Lipscomb's appeal against his conviction is rejected by the court.
Execution
Nathaniel Lipscomb is executed in the gas chamber.