The Case of the Boston Strangler: Catching a Killer Who Thought He Was a Ladies' Man (Well, Not That Kind of Ladies' Man)
The 1960s in Boston weren't all bell-bottoms and psychedelic rock. Lurking in the shadows was a killer who had the city on edge: the Boston Strangler. Thirteen women were found strangled in their apartments, and fear became the new fashion statement. But fear not, intrepid reader, because this is the story of how the Strangler went from smooth criminal to jumpsuit model.
From Silk Stockings to Suspects: A City on Eggshells
Tip: Use this post as a starting point for exploration.
The Strangler targeted women alone in their apartments, often using their own stockings to strangle them. Now, some might say that's a rather...personal touch for a serial killer. Maybe he thought it was romantic? Like a creepy Cupid gone rogue. Bold investigators nicknamed him the "The Measurement Man" or "The Green Man" because of his tactics in some early attacks. The city was on high alert. Ladies were taking self-defense classes faster than you could say "pepper spray." Men with mustaches suddenly seemed extra suspicious (sorry, mustachioed friends, collateral damage).
QuickTip: The more attention, the more retention.
Enter Albert DeSalvo: The Man, The Myth, The Maybe-Multiple-Murderer?
Tip: Break it down — section by section.
In a shocking twist that would make M. Night Shyamalan proud, a man named Albert DeSalvo waltzed into the picture. DeSalvo was already in jail for unrelated crimes, but while chatting with a fellow inmate (because, you know, jailhouse chats are always friendly), he casually mentioned he was the Boston Strangler. Hold on. Pause for dramatic effect. DeSalvo's confession was full of details only the real killer would know, or at least someone who read the newspapers very carefully. The police were like, "Is this guy for real?" Spoiler alert: It gets more complicated.
Tip: Write down what you learned.
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The DNA Debacle: A Post-Mortem "Gotcha!"
DeSalvo was never convicted of the Strangler murders, mostly due to lack of concrete evidence. The case remained a nagging mystery for decades. Then, in 2013, SCIENCE! With the rise of DNA testing, investigators compared DNA from the crime scene to DeSalvo's nephew (because hey, family resemblances go beyond looks, apparently). BINGO! It was a match. DeSalvo, even though deceased (allegedly killed by another inmate, but that's a story for another time), was finally confirmed as the Boston Strangler.
So, who strangled the other women? Well, that's the thing. Some believe there may have been more than one Strangler. The mystery continues to intrigue true-crime buffs to this day.
How To: Unsolved Mystery Edition!
- How to solve a cold case? Wish we knew! Advanced forensic techniques and a sprinkle of luck seem to be the recipe.
- How to avoid being a victim? Trust your gut, be aware of your surroundings, and maybe skip the late-night walks alone for a while.
- How to tell if your neighbor is a serial killer? Look for suspicious behavior, but honestly, some people are just weird. Don't jump to conclusions (unless they have a basement full of mannequins).
- How to become a detective? There's no magic school, but studying criminology, forensics, and psychology can't hurt.
- How to get over your newfound fear of mustaches? Therapy might help, or you could just channel your inner Tom Selleck and rock the stache yourself. Just, you know, don't strangle anyone.
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