True Life Tuesday: The Axeman of New Orleans

Another murder mystery that has never been solved. The murders took place between May 1918 and October 1919. The victims were all attached with an axe, sometimes one that they owned. The attacker assessed the homes by removing panels on the back doors with a chisel. Robbery did not appear to be a motive since nothing was taken from the homes. The first victims were Joseph and Catherine Maggio on May 23, 1918 and the final victim was Mike Pepitone on October 27, 1919.

There were several theories about the axeman. Most of the victims were either Italian-Americans or Italian immigrants leading to suspicion that the killings were ethnically motivated. Some media members even put forth the idea that the mob was involved even there was no evidence. Some felt that the murderer was a sexual sadist who would only kill men when they stood in the way of his killing of women.

One strange theory was that the killings were committed in order to promote jazz music. This was based upon a letter that media outlets received from the alleged killer on March 13, 1919. In the letter the author stated that he would spare those who were playing jazz music in their homes. Because of this letter many felt that the murderer was Frank "Doc" Murphy. He ran a jazz club that was struggling. Once the letter was published his business started to improve. 

The murders ended just a quickly as they began. The remain unsolved today. The axeman story has been referenced in many books, songs and true crime shows and podcasts.