The Terrifying Axeman of New Orleans
BuzzFeed Unsolved Network・3 minutes read
The Axeman Killer of New Orleans terrorized the community for 18 months with brutal attacks, leaving behind a trail of fear and uncertainty. Despite theories and suspects, the true identity of the Axeman remains a mystery, with the case of the unsolved killings haunting New Orleans to this day.
Insights
- The Axeman Killer of New Orleans operated at night using victims' tools, leaving an axe behind, and possibly committed 12 attacks and 6 killings, causing fear and uncertainty in the community.
- Despite various suspects like Louis Besumer and Joseph Mumfre, the identity of the New Orleans Axeman remains unknown, with theories suggesting multiple perpetrators, copycats, or connections to a blackmailing gang targeting Italians, leaving the case unsolved and shrouded in mystery.
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Recent questions
Who was the Axeman Killer of New Orleans?
An unidentified serial killer active in 1918-1919.
How did the Axeman choose his victims?
By using weapons found in their homes.
What was the Axeman's signature weapon?
An axe found at the crime scene.
How did the Axeman communicate with the public?
Through a letter sent to a newspaper.
What was the outcome of the Axeman's final threat?
No casualties due to jazz music playing.
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Summary
00:00
"The Axeman Killer of New Orleans"
- The Axeman Killer of New Orleans was active from 1918 for roughly 18 months, striking at night and possibly responsible for 12 attacks and 6 killings.
- The Axeman never used his own tools, only what he found in victims' homes, typically leaving behind an axe at the crime scene.
- The first suspected attack occurred on May 23rd, 1918, where Catherine and Joseph Maggio were violently attacked with an axe and a straight razor.
- A month later, on June 28th, 1918, Louis Besumer and Anna Lowe were found severely injured, with Anna describing a large white man with a hatchet as the attacker.
- On August 5th, 1918, Mrs. Ed Schneider was found alive after an attack, with their axe missing from the shed, and she later gave birth successfully.
- Five days later, on August 10th, 1918, 80-year-old Joseph Romano was found with his head bashed in, described by witnesses as tall, dark, and wearing a dark suit and slouch hat.
- On March 10th, 1919, the Cortimiglia family was attacked, resulting in the death of their two-year-old daughter Mary, with the axe used belonging to the family.
- Five days after the attack, a letter from the Axeman was received by a newspaper, where he boasted of being invisible and a spirit from hell, threatening the police and the community.
- The letter also contained a chilling threat of potentially slaying thousands of citizens, claiming a close relationship with the angel of death.
- The Axeman's dramatic and terrifying presence in New Orleans left the community in fear and uncertainty, with his threats instilling terror among the residents.
09:40
Unmasking the Jazz-loving Axeman of New Orleans
- The Axeman plans to pass over New Orleans at 12:15 on a Tuesday night and offers to spare those with jazz bands playing at that time.
- March 19th, 1919, was the specified Tuesday night, and the city was alive with jazz music, leading to no casualties.
- Steve Boca was attacked in August 1919, surviving with memory loss due to head injuries.
- Sarah Laumann was attacked in September 1919, unable to recall details of the incident.
- Esther and Mike Pepitone were attacked in October 1919, with Esther witnessing her husband's fatal injuries.
- The suspected weapon was a bolt with a heavy nut, possibly from a nearby circus tent.
- Theories suggest some killings may not be the Axeman's work, with one attack possibly linked to the mafia.
- Louis Besumer was charged with the murder of Anna Lowe, but theories vary on the true nature of the attack.
- Joseph Mumfre is a legitimate suspect, with Esther Pepitone shooting him dead in 1921 after he threatened her.
- Mumfre was linked to a blackmailing gang in New Orleans that targeted Italians, similar to the Axeman's victims.
20:07
Unsolved mystery of New Orleans Axeman
- The identity of the New Orleans Axeman remains a mystery, with speculation of multiple people involved, possibly copycat killers, leading a blackmailing gang targeting Italians, but ultimately, the case remains unsolved.
