The Great Boston Strangler Caper: Catching a Killer with a Side of "Wait, Did He Do It?"
Ah, the Boston Strangler. A time when living alone in Boston meant a nightlight and a serious case of the willies. This shadowy figure strangled (shocker) at least 13 women between 1962 and 1964. The city was on edge, newspapers were filled with speculation, and the pressure was on the cops to find this maniac. But how did they finally snag the guy (or did they?)
Enter Albert DeSalvo, the Man, the Myth, the Maybe-Murderer
In 1964, a fellow named Albert DeSalvo waltzes into the police station with a doozy of a story. He claims to BE the Boston Strangler! Now, you'd think a confession like that would be a done deal, case closed, let's all go celebrate with a victory Fenway Frank. But hold on to your fainting couches, folks, because this is where things get interesting.
He Said, They Said, the Evidence Said...Not Much
DeSalvo's confession was, well, let's say a little light on details. No fingerprints, no murder weapon, just him spilling the beans (or so he claimed). The police, naturally, were skeptical. Here's a guy offering up a confession to a string of brutal murders, and all he has are some "fun facts" about the crime scenes? It sounded fishy, like a guy who read too many detective novels and wanted his own starring role.
So, Did They Catch the Strangler or Not?
Here's the twist: DNA evidence confirmed DeSalvo was linked to at least one of the murders. But what about the rest?** There's still debate about whether DeSalvo was the real deal or a compulsive confessor. The truth, as they say, is stranger than fiction (pun intended).
How to: Unsolved Mystery Edition!
- How to tell if your neighbor is a serial killer? This one's tricky. Maybe stick to friendly waves and skip the borrow-a-cup-of-sugar routine.
- How to avoid becoming a murder victim? Solid locks, good lighting, and a dog who REALLY hates strangers are all good bets.
- How to solve a cold case with zero evidence? Unfortunately, this isn't CSI. Maybe rewatch your favorite detective show for inspiration?
- How to deal with a creepy confession? Leave it to the professionals. The police might not have donuts, but they do have experience with...interesting characters.
- How to get closure on an unsolved mystery? This one's tough. Sometimes, you just gotta accept the weirdness and move on.
