Unsolved Murder cases

[Audio] Welcome to our presentation on unsolved murder cases. These cases bring both sorrow and mystery, often challenging our understanding of our society. In this presentation, we'll take a look at some of the most notorious cases and their long-lasting impact on communities. Join us as we learn more about these tragic and perplexing events..

[Audio] Between 1918 and 1919, the Axeman of New Orleans struck fear into the city with a series of unsolved murder cases. His modus operandi was to enter victims' homes during the night, take a weapon, usually an axe, and attack his victims while they were asleep in their beds. It is believed that the Axeman was behind 12 attacks and 6 killings, yet authorities have failed to identify any potential suspects for these brutal assaults. To this day, the Axeman has not been caught..

[Audio] For over a hundred years, the unsolved murder of Catherine and Joseph Maggio has baffled authorities and investigators. On May 23rd, 1918, the couple were viciously attacked in their own home with the most shocking aspect being that Catherine was nearly decapitated. Joseph's brothers, living in the same house, discovered the victims and found nothing was stolen and an axe was left behind. Despite searching for clues, no suspect has been identified to this day..

[Audio] Mrs. Schneider was attacked in her home with an axe. Despite her injuries, she was able to be rushed to the Charity Hospital, where she survived the attack and surprisingly gave birth to a child only a week later. The next slide reveals her story..

[Audio] Mrs. Ed Schneider was the victim of a cruel and merciless assault on August 5th, 1918. Discovered by her husband, she was luckily able to be rushed to Charity Hospital and ultimately survive the attack. This tragedy was even more heartbreaking as Mrs. Schneider was pregnant at the time; despite this trauma, she was able to give birth a week later. One can only imagine the fear and terror that Mrs. Schneider and her unborn child experienced that day..

[Audio] Joseph Romano was the sixth and final victim of the 1918 Axeman of New Orleans killings. His nieces Pauline and Mary found him with his head bashed in and he sadly passed away two days later. Witnesses reported that the attacker appeared to be dark, tall, heavy-set and wearing a dark suit and a black slouch hat but the brutal act remains unsolved to this day, leaving a lingering fear among the people of New Orleans..

[Audio] The New Orleans state newspaper reported that in August 1918, armed citizens were guarding their homes at night as the police were attempting to unravel the enigma of the axe attacks. Increased numbers of police were being deployed daily to tackle this issue. The subsequent slide portrays a timeline of these attacks and its transient success, until seven months later..

[Audio] On March 10th, 1919, one of the most horrific events in the history of New Orleans occurred when the Cortimiglia family was attacked by the Axeman in their home. Charles, the father, was injured in the struggle, while Rose, the mother, and their two-year-old daughter Mary were both savagely attacked. Sadly, Mary did not make it. What made the attack even more shocking was that the assailant had used an axe belonging to the family. The tragedy has baffled the people of New Orleans for over a century and remains unsolved..

[Audio] Fear is an emotion that can cause tremendous havoc and can be used as a weapon. The Axeman of New Orleans is one example of how this can manifest. In March 1919, a letter was sent to a newspaper from the Axeman, announcing his intentions and warning of his power over those who oppose him. This serves as a reminder of the potential danger that can arise from fear and the need to be aware of our surroundings. Coronavirus is one of the current threats that we are faced with and it can have serious consequences. However, there are ways to protect ourselves and our families by actively acquiring knowledge about the risks and taking the necessary precautions..

[Audio] This quote from the Axeman of New Orleans emphasizes the power of fear and the threat posed by not having limits to power. On the other hand, we can find safety, strength, and solidarity in our communities if we band together. Let us look at the next slide to explore how we can achieve this..

[Audio] The Axeman stated "I am very fond of jazz music, and I swear by all the devils in the nether regions that every person shall be spared in whose home a jazz band is in full swing at the time I have just mentioned". This threat of violence had New Orleans citizens on edge, so much so that they were encouraged to play jazz music in their homes in order to protect them from the Axeman. Despite the extensive manhunt, the Axeman's identity was never revealed and the crime spree went unsolved. However, one thing is certain: the Axeman did not enjoy alcohol, only drinking in the company of close friends..

[Audio] On the Tuesday night of March 19th, 1919, New Orleans experienced an unforgettable night. Despite the fear of the Axeman, people boldly kept the party going by playing jazz music in their homes. Those without record players could either rely on neighbors to open their doors or go to jazz clubs to listen to the music until morning. Amazingly, no one was killed that night, as the Axeman kept his promise..

[Audio] Steve Boca was one of the many victims of the notorious Axeman of New Orleans who struck on the night of August 10th, 1919. When Steve awoke, he saw a man next to his bed holding an axe. Though badly injured, Steve managed to get to a friend's house and the police were called. Unfortunately, due to the intensity of the attack, Steve was unable to remember any details..

[Audio] Sarah Laumann was a 19-year-old student living on 2128 Second Street in New Orleans when she was attacked one night in either late August or early September. When she regained consciousness, Sarah could only recall that her attacker had entered through an open window in her home. Unfortunately, Sarah's case remains unsolved to this day, without any closure regarding the identity of her attacker. The Axeman of New Orleans attacks were a terrifying and still mysterious ordeal for the city and its citizens, and Sarah's case serves as a reminder of the bravery and courage of all the victims of the Axeman attacks..

[Audio] Axeman's reign of terror continued with a bloody attack on the Pepitone family. On the evening of October 27, 1919, Esther and Mike Pepitone were viciously assaulted, with Mike sustaining a total of 18 blows to the head. A bolt with a heavy nut, thought to have come from a nearby circus, was used to carry out the attack. Miraculously, Esther survived the ordeal and was able to give an account of the incident. Moving on, our next slide will look at the beauty of musical orchestras and the way they connect people..

[Audio] Police investigations after the attacks never revealed the identity of the Axeman, leading some to believe the murderer may have been a mafia member, serial killer, or even an alien. No definitive answers have been established yet, though experts still debate the possibilities. What's certain is that the Axeman's legacy still casts a dark shadow over the city of New Orleans..

[Audio] Theories surrounding the Axeman of New Orleans attacks are convoluted and thought-provoking. Some maintain some of the murders may not have been committed by the Axeman, such as Mike Pepitone's final killing which could have been a mafia killing related to his father. With the second attack on Louis Besumer and Anna Lowe, Louis was gravely hurt, Anna lost her life, yet Louis was still convicted for murder. During examination, letters in Yiddish and Russian were located, suggesting Louis might have been part of a German spy ring or a spymaster for the Kaiser, thus having nothing to do with the Axeman..

[Audio] In a mystery that remains unsolved to this day, Anna Lowe was attacked in her home with an axe while sleeping and died weeks later of her injuries. Her partner Louis Besumer was blamed by Anna before she passed away, but he was later acquitted due to insufficient evidence. Some claim this crime was committed by the Axeman of New Orleans, as it shared similar characteristics with other attacks by the infamous figure. Additionally, there are theories that this may have been a copycat crime. The mystery behind the true motive for this attack continues to remain unknown..

[Audio] The Axeman's history of terrorizing the people of New Orleans was one of the most puzzling cases of its time. Multiple theories abounded as to who was behind it, with one of the most popular being that he was a supernatural being able to enter any tight space. Another suggested Joseph Mumfre was the culprit, though no concrete proof was ever found for either theory. Regardless, the Axeman left a legacy of fear and speculation that has stayed with many through the years..

[Audio] There is a theory that Joseph Mumfre could have been the Axeman of New Orleans. Although there is no definitive proof linking him to the murders, it is a strong possibility. Mumfre had a history of animosity towards Esther and Mike Pepitone, as well as making threats and committing violent acts. Furthermore, his coming and going from the city coincides with the Axeman's crime spree. It is plausible that he was the Axeman. Ultimately, the identity of the Axeman of New Orleans remains a mystery. It appears probable that Joseph Mumfre was the Axeman, though there is no undeniable evidence that ties him to the murders..

[Audio] Police identified Mumfre as a possible suspect in the Axeman of New Orleans attacks investigation due to a number of factors. For instance, Mumfre was known to lead a blackmailing gang that targeted Italians, and the majority of victims of the Axeman were Italian. Additionally, Esther - the wife of the first victim - stated that she had seen two men in the bedroom during the attack, suggesting that there may have been more than one perpetrator. These factors raise the possibility that Mumfre may have been the Axeman..

MY THEORY. I think that the Axeman was multiple copy cats and not one person, because not all the killings were done the same way. Some attacks were in the day and the way of killing the person wasn't always the same..

[Audio] JohnBanet Ramsey is a tragic example of a life cut short in its prime. At only six, JohnBanet's lifeless body was discovered in the basement of her home. To this day, her killer remains unidentified, leaving her family and acquaintances with a deep sense of sorrow and countless unanswered questions. JohnBanet's case serves to highlight the necessity of justice and the importance of bringing criminals to justice, no matter how long ago the crime was committed..

[Audio] The murder of JonBenet Ramsey has been an enduring mystery. On December 26, 1996, Patsy Ramsey discovered a ransom note for her 6-year-old daughter inside their home. Later that day, JonBenet's body was found in the basement of the home. Despite rigorous investigations, no one has been able to answer the questions of who and why this occurred. The case remains unresolved to this day..

[Audio] JohnBenet Ramsey was a six-year-old tragically taken from us in 1996. Found with duct tape around her mouth and a smooth cord around her neck, her case remains unsolved to this day. Despite Patsy Ramsey's frantic 911 call hinting at a possible abduction, the police refused to search the house due to a lack of evidence, prolonging the agonizing wait for justice for the Ramsey family. This is just one of many unsolved murder cases that continue to cause immeasurable pain and hurt not just to the families of victims, but to entire communities. We must stay alert and fight for justice for every single victim..