This profile or article pertains to a serial killer or suspected serial killer whose guilt remains under scrutiny for various reasons. The individual may be regarded as the 'main suspect' despite unreliable confessions. Even if the person has been acquitted or pardoned, their guilt may still be debated in the 'court of public opinion.' Additionally, the case's outcome might be uncertain due to other unlisted factors. Various reasons contribute to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding this case.
Case-Specific Details: DeSalvo confessed to being the "Boston Strangler," but his guilt is disputed due to inconsistencies in his confession and the lack of physical evidence linking him to several of the murders. DNA testing on later cases did not match DeSalvo, raising doubts about his involvement in all of the killings.
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Biography[]
Albert Henry DeSalvo, born on September 3, 1931, in Chelsea, Massachusetts, gained notoriety as the "Boston Strangler," a serial killer who terrorized the Boston area in the early 1960s.
DeSalvo grew up in a troubled household, experiencing a difficult childhood marked by poverty and a strained family life. His criminal record began in his early teens, and he faced various charges, including breaking and entering and sexual assault. DeSalvo's criminal behavior escalated over the years, culminating in a series of brutal murders that would later define his criminal legacy.
The "Boston Strangler" case involved a series of murders that occurred between 1962 and 1964. The victims, primarily women, were strangled in their homes, and the crimes shared distinct patterns of sexual assault and binding with articles found at the crime scenes. The fear and uncertainty created by the elusive killer gripped the city.
DeSalvo's criminal activities extended beyond the Strangler case. In 1964, he was apprehended for a series of sexual assaults and home invasions unrelated to the stranglings. While in custody, DeSalvo confessed to being the "Boston Strangler", providing detailed information about the crimes that had not been made public.
His confessions, however, were met with skepticism. Some law enforcement officials doubted the accuracy of DeSalvo's statements, as there were inconsistencies in his accounts. Despite this, he was convicted of various crimes unrelated to the stranglings.
In 1973, while serving time in prison for his other crimes, DeSalvo was murdered by a fellow inmate. His death left unanswered questions about the true identity of the "Boston Strangler", as doubts persist about the accuracy of his confessions and whether multiple perpetrators were involved.
To this day, the "Boston Strangler" case remains one of the most infamous, and according to many, unsolved mysteries in American criminal history, and Albert DeSalvo's role in the murders continues to be a subject of debate and speculation.
Victims[]
| Name | Age | Discovery of body | Cause of Death |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anna Slesers | 55 | June 14, 1962 | |
| Mary Mullen | 85 | June 28, 1962 | |
| Nina Nichols | 68 | June 30, 1962 | |
| Helen Blake | 65 | June 30, 1962 | |
| Ida Irga | 75 | August 19, 1962 | |
| Jane Sullivan | 67 | August 21, 1962 | |
| Sophie Clark | 20 | December 5, 1962 | |
| Patricia Bissette | 23 | December 31, 1962 | |
| Mary Brown | 69 | March 6, 1963 | |
| Beverly Samans | 23 | May 6, 1963 | |
| Evelyn Corbin | 57 | September 8, 1963 | |
| Joann Graff | 23 | November 23, 1963 | |
| Mary Sullivan | 19 | January 4, 1964 |
Timeline[]
Bibliography[]
Literature[]
- Frank, Gerold. The Boston Strangler, Open Road Media. ISBN 978-1504049375
Articles[]
- "Albert DeSalvo". Biography (April 2, 2014).
- Dick Lehr (May 14, 2022). "The rise of the Strangler". The Boston Globe.
- Skyler Caruso (February 22, 2023). The True Story Behind Hulu's 'Boston Strangler'. People.
Documentaries[]
Television[]
YouTube Documentaries[]
- Catching The Boston Strangler: Albert DeSalvo (Born To Kill), Our Life on YouTube
- 1 Serial Killer From Every State, Pixels After Dark on YouTube
Podcasts[]
- "The Boston Strangler" - Albert DeSalvo - Part 1. Serial Killers with Greg Polcyn & Vanessa Richardson.
- "The Boston Strangler" - Albert DeSalvo - Part 2. Serial Killers with Greg Polcyn & Vanessa Richardson.
In popular culture[]
Film adaptations[]
- The Boston Strangler (1968) on IMDb (Trailer on YouTube)
- The Boston Strangler (2006) on IMDb
- Boston Strangler: The Untold Story (2008) on IMDb
- Boston Strangler (2023) on IMDb (Trailer on YouTube)
Related Articles[]
See also[]
Links[]
- Albert DeSalvo at Wikipedia
- Boston Strangler at Wikipedia
- Albert DeSalvo on IMDb
Notes[]
References[]