Category Archives: Homicide

As crazy as two waltzing mice

Posted on October 9, 2007 by lmharnisch

  Oct. 9, 1957 Ventura, Calif. Renzee Louis Alameda, 36, was the quietest man on the block. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound ex-Marine, a USC graduate, was unmarried and had lived alone at 2412 Ridgeley Drive for the last 10 years. He … Continue reading →

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Fatal rage

Posted on October 6, 2007 by lmharnisch

Oct. 6, 1957 Los Angeles Joe and Ruby had four young children, but were treating them so badly that a warrant was issued on charges of neglect. Juvenile Officers Roy Keene and Connie Kennedy went to the home at 1328 … Continue reading →

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Madness

Posted on October 4, 2007 by lmharnisch

The Mirror published a copy of the Christmas note Ronald White wrote to his grandmother.

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Madness

Posted on October 4, 2007 by lmharnisch

  Oct. 4, 1957Los Angeles I’ve read any number of horrible stories in the old papers, but this is one of the worst in terms of senseless tragedy. The facts, such as they are, don’t even begin to explain what … Continue reading →

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The Money Man

Posted on October 2, 2007 by lmharnisch

  Oct. 2-3, 1957 Los Angeles OK, let’s go get a cup of coffee and talk about our friend "The Money Man." We can just drive up Central Avenue until we find some all-night place. I’m not really hungry. I … Continue reading →

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Strangled

Posted on October 1, 2007 by lmharnisch

  Sept. 30-Oct. 1, 1957 Los Angeles It’s almost 3 a.m. and we’re parked on 134th Street between Water Way and Central Avenue in Compton. In two years, there will be houses all along the north side of the street. … Continue reading →

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Darling, It’s Death

Posted on September 24, 2007 by lmharnisch

  Sept. 24, 1957 Los Angeles Anthony and Jane Miller had argued and fought in their four years of marriage, but never like this. So when he couldn’t rouse her that morning, he went next door and asked for help.  … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates–Confidential File

Posted on September 18, 2007 by lmharnisch

Sept. 18, 1957 There are times when justice gets in its own way. By trying to hustle along a little too fast, it trips over its own ethical skirts. And a living example of what can happen when it does … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Caryl Chessman, Columnists, Homicide, Paul Coates | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Strangler strikes

Posted on September 18, 2007 by lmharnisch

  Sept. 18-26, 1957 Los Angeles Let’s go talk about the Ginger Mitchell case. We’re in Wilshire Division so how about Canter’s Deli, up on Fairfax? While we’re driving, I’ll tell you the rest of the story. Officially, this killing … Continue reading →

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Strangler strikes

Posted on September 17, 2007 by lmharnisch

  Sept. 17, 1957 Los Angeles We’re parked outside 3477 S. La Brea Ave., a two-story apartment house with about 18 units in the Wilshire Division. It’s one in a row of apartment buildings along the west side of the … Continue reading →

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‘Mommie told me to get the gun’

Posted on September 11, 2007 by lmharnisch

  Sept. 11, 1957 Los Angeles Everett Robert Ayala’s last words on earth were: "Go ahead, shoot me," spoken to his 8-year-old foster daughter as he resumed beating his wife, Pauline. So Linda Louise Narez, who was holding a .30-caliber … Continue reading →

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Mystery guest revealed

Posted on September 11, 2007 by lmharnisch

Anthony Brancato, killed Aug. 6, 1951, 1648 N. Ogden Drive, Hollywood, along with Anthony Trombino in the “Two Tonys Murder.” Jimmy “The Weasel” Fratianno eventually confessed to the killings.

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Judith Mae Andersen update

Posted on September 2, 2007 by lmharnisch

A little more research in the Judith Mae Andersen case has unearthed some interesting facts about the bucket used to dispose of her head and other remains. Recall that Chicago police officials said the bucket was so rare that they … Continue reading →

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Judith Mae Andersen

Posted on August 27, 2007 by lmharnisch

Montrose Harbor, Chicago, Ill., August 1957, showing where a 55-gallon drum and a 5-gallon bucket containing the remains of Judith Mae Andersen, were found.    Montrose Harbor, 50 years later, from Google Earth. Note: Investigators eventually determined that the bloody … Continue reading →

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Judith Mae Andersen

Posted on August 27, 2007 by lmharnisch

Photographs courtesy of the Chicago Tribune Investigators examine the oil drum containing the remains of Judith Mae Andersen that was found Aug. 22, 1957, in Lake Michigan. Aug. 28, 1957Chicago Seek and ye shall find, and so it is with … Continue reading →

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Windy City

Posted on August 26, 2007 by lmharnisch

"The average Chicago night produces many apparent screams and shots, which turn out to be of the harmless variety." Chicago Tribune, Sept. 2, 1957

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Cold case

Posted on August 26, 2007 by lmharnisch

Aug. 28, 1957 Chicago To be continued….

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Cold case

Posted on August 25, 2007 by lmharnisch

  Aug. 25, 1957 Chicago Chicago police recovered the torso from a battered, cut-down 55-gallon drum floating in Lake Michigan. A 5-gallon metal bucket containing the head, hands and one arm were found in the lake two days later. The … Continue reading →

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Los Feliz strangler

Posted on August 20, 2007 by lmharnisch

Aug. 20, 1957Los Angeles It’s late afternoon and we’re parked outside a 1926 bungalow at 4020 Holly Knoll Drive. Pretty soon the street will be full of police and reporters, but right now everything is quiet. Ready? Let’s go in. … Continue reading →

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Roadium revisited

Posted on August 16, 2007 by lmharnisch

Aug. 17, 1957Los Angeles The "five swaggering gang members" who were arrested in the killing of John Edwards were released after being cleared by two witnesses. The slaying was never solved.

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