Cleveland Torso Killer
The Cleveland Torso Killer , also known as the Mad Butcher of Kingsbury Run , is or was an unidentified serial killer who committed at least twelve murders in Cleveland from 1935 to 1938 .
First appearance of the serial killer
In 1935 a disfigured body was found in a meadow in Cleveland. Only the torso was left of the body , the head and limbs had been cut off. When more corpses were found, the killer was dubbed "Cleveland Torso Murderer" or "Torso Killer" by the press. The public demanded that this gruesome series of murders be investigated. The case was turned over to then-public safety director, Eliot Ness , who was best known for his efforts to bring down gang boss Al Capone .
Possible motive of the killer
The victims of the Cleveland torso killer were lower class men and women. The victims were beheaded and their limbs cut off. Possible motives for the killer were sadism or hatred of people who were “poorer” from the perpetrator's point of view.
Failure of Eliot Ness
Although Eliot Ness and the police followed up on the Cleveland Torso killer, they failed to catch the killer. The series of murders ended in 1938, but the investigation continued. In 1942 Eliot Ness retired from his post, the failure is said to have been one of the reasons for his resignation.
aftermath
Although the case of the torso killer has not yet been solved, it has repeatedly provided material for detective novels and films.
The subject was worked on by comic artists Brian M. Bendis and Marc Andreyko in their graphic novel " Torso ". As in the graphic novel " From Hell ", the real events served as a template.
Criminal historian Steven Nickel dealt with the real events, his book bears the same title "Torso".
Web links
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Cleveland Torso Killer |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Mad Butcher of Kingsbury Run |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American serial killer |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 19th century or 20th century |