BOSTON, Massachusetts – Between 1962 and 1964, a series of 13 brutal murders of women in the Greater Boston area shocked the United States and became one of the most notorious serial killer cases in American history. Dubbed “The Boston Strangler,” the unknown assailant left the city gripped with fear, while police and investigators scrambled for answers.
Timeline of Terror
The first murder occurred on June 14, 1962, when Anna Elza Slesers, 55, was found strangled with her bathrobe cord in her Boston apartment. Over the next 18 months, 12 more women—ranging in age from 19 to 85—were murdered, most of them sexually assaulted and strangled in their homes.
Victims were often discovered with no sign of forced entry, suggesting they had willingly allowed the killer inside, perhaps thinking he was a maintenance worker or trusted individual. The attacker often used personal items from the victims’ apartments—such as stockings, scarves, and belts—as murder weapons.
Despite increasing media attention and public panic, the killer remained at large for nearly two years. The final victim, Mary Anne Sullivan, just 19 years old, was found on January 4, 1964, in her Boston apartment. Her death was particularly brutal, with three ligatures used around her neck and signs of sexual assault with a broom handle. A “Happy New Year” card was left beside her body, adding a macabre flourish to an already gruesome crime.
A City on Edge
As the killings mounted, newspapers dubbed the unknown killer various names, including “The Mad Strangler of Boston,” “Phantom Fiend,” and finally, thanks to journalists Jean Cole and Loretta McLaughlin of the Record American, “The Boston Strangler.”
Panic spread quickly. Women across Boston purchased deadbolts, tear gas, and guard dogs, while others moved away entirely. Massachusetts Attorney General Edward W. Brooke took the unusual step of allowing parapsychologist Peter Hurkos to consult on the case, a move that drew criticism after Hurkos wrongly identified a suspect.
The wide geographic distribution of the crimes—spanning cities like Boston, Lynn, Salem, Lawrence, and Cambridge—also complicated jurisdiction, leading to disjointed investigations.
The DeSalvo Confession and Controversy
In 1964, Albert DeSalvo, a career criminal with a history of sexual offenses, confessed to being the Boston Strangler. He gave a chilling, detailed account of each killing. However, at the time, there was no physical evidence linking him to the crimes, and he was never formally charged with the murders. Instead, DeSalvo was convicted on unrelated rape charges and sentenced to life in prison.
For decades, many doubted his guilt, suggesting that the Boston Strangler may have been more than one person. The variability in victim profiles—ranging in age, race, and neighborhood—fueled speculation.
DNA Breakthrough
In 2013, nearly 50 years after the final murder, new DNA evidence linked Albert DeSalvo to the murder of Mary Anne Sullivan, the final victim. A sample from the crime scene matched DeSalvo’s DNA with near certainty, lending strong support to his confession and confirming his role—at least in that case.
List of Victims
| Name | Age | Date of Murder | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anna Elza Slesers | 55 | June 14, 1962 | 77 Gainsborough Street, Boston |
| Mary Mullen | 85 | June 28, 1962 | 1435 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston |
| Nina Nioma Nichols | 68 | June 30, 1962 | 1940 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston |
| Helen Elizabeth Blake | 65 | June 30, 1962 | 73 Newhall Street, Lynn |
| Edes “Ida” Irga | 75 | August 19, 1962 | 7 Grove Street, Boston |
| Jane Sullivan | 67 | August 21, 1962 | 435 Columbia Road, Boston |
| Sophie L. Clark | 20 | December 5, 1962 | 315 Huntington Avenue, Boston |
| Patricia Jane Bissette | 23 | December 31, 1962 | 515 Park Drive, Boston |
| Mary Ann Brown | 69 | March 6, 1963 | 319 Park Street, Lawrence |
| Beverly Florence Samans | 23 | May 8, 1963 | 4 University Road, Cambridge |
| Marie Evelina “Evelyn” Corbin | 57 | September 8, 1963 | 224 Lafayette Street, Salem |
| Joann Marie Graff | 23 | November 23, 1963 | 54 Essex Street, Lawrence |
| Mary Anne Sullivan | 19 | January 4, 1964 | 44-A Charles Street, Boston |
Legacy
The case of the Boston Strangler remains one of America’s most haunting murder sprees. It led to major changes in how police handle serial crimes, the use of psychological profiling, and public awareness of personal safety. The case also raised enduring questions about the reliability of confessions, media influence on investigations, and the possibility of multiple perpetrators.
Albert DeSalvo was stabbed to death in prison in 1973 under suspicious circumstances. Though the final word on whether he acted alone remains contested, the Boston Strangler case has since become the subject of books, films, and extensive criminological study.
