Births

Elizabeth Fry

1780 – Elizabeth Fry – She was a British social reformer and philanthropist who worked tirelessly to improve the conditions for prisoners and to promote education for women. She was born in Norwich, England, into a Quaker family, and was one of eleven children. As a young woman, Fry became deeply involved in philanthropic work, helping to distribute food and clothing to the poor and needy. In 1813, she visited Newgate prison in London and was appalled by the inhumane conditions in which the female prisoners were held. She immediately set about to make improvements, establishing a school for the children of female prisoners and initiating programs to provide them with skills and trades to support themselves once they were released. Fry’s efforts were not limited to the prison system, however. She also worked to establish Sunday schools, promote religious education, and improve the care of the sick and elderly. In recognition of her work, Fry was appointed a member of the Royal Society of Arts and was awarded a gold medal by the Society of Friends. Throughout her life, Fry continued to work tirelessly to improve the lives of those around her, dedicating herself to the cause of social reform. Her legacy lives on today in the many organizations she helped to establish, and she is remembered as a compassionate and committed advocate for justice and equality.

1939 – Roger Kibbe – Kibbe was an American serial killer who became known as the “I-5 Strangler.” He was convicted of seven murders, although he is believed to have killed many more. Kibbe was born in 1939 in California and grew up in a family of six children. He had a difficult childhood, marked by abuse and neglect, and he dropped out of high school in his senior year. In 1974, Kibbe married his second wife, Rhonda. They had three children together and appeared to be a normal, happy family. However, Kibbe had a dark side that he kept hidden from his family and the outside world. In 1977, he was convicted of kidnapping and attempted rape and sentenced to six years in prison. After his release in 1982, Kibbe began a killing spree that lasted until his capture in 1983. Kibbe’s victims were all young women, most of whom he picked up while hitchhiking along Interstate 5 in California. He would strangle them and then dump their bodies in rural areas. Kibbe was finally caught when he picked up a 17-year-old girl who managed to escape and report him to the police. In 1991, he was convicted of seven murders and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Kibbe’s case was notable for the way he was caught. DNA evidence taken from his victim’s bodies was used to link him to the murders, making him one of the first serial killers to be caught through DNA analysis. Kibbe died in prison in 2021 at the age of 81.

1950 – Manuel Valle – Valle was an American man who was executed for the murder of a police officer. He was born in Cuba and came to the United States with his family in the 1960s. Valle had a troubled youth and was involved in many criminal activities before he committed the crime for which he was executed. In 1978, Valle was pulled over by police for a traffic violation in Coral Gables, Florida. He was driving a stolen car and had a suspended license. When the officer, Louis Pena, approached the car, Valle pulled out a gun and shot him multiple times. Pena died from his injuries a few days later. Valle fled the scene but was eventually captured and convicted of first-degree murder. Valle spent over 33 years on death row while his case went through various appeals. His execution was delayed several times, and he became one of the longest-serving inmates on Florida’s death row. Valle’s case attracted widespread attention from activists and human rights organizations, who argued that the death penalty was cruel and inhumane. Despite these efforts, Valle was executed by lethal injection on September 28, 2011.

1953 – William Earl Rayford – an American man who was executed for the murder of his ex-girlfriend. He was born in Louisiana and grew up in a troubled family environment. Rayford had a long criminal history, including several convictions for violent crimes. In 1994, Rayford was living with his ex-girlfriend, Carol Lynn Thomas. After an argument, Rayford strangled Thomas to death in her home. He then stole her car and other possessions and fled the scene. Rayford was eventually caught and convicted of capital murder. Rayford spent over two decades on death row while his case went through various appeals. His execution was delayed several times, but he was ultimately executed by lethal injection on January 30, 2018. In his final statement, Rayford apologized to the victim’s family for his actions. Rayford’s case attracted attention from activists and human rights organizations, who argued that the death penalty was a cruel and inhumane punishment. They also pointed to evidence that suggested Rayford may have had a mental illness at the time of the murder. Despite these efforts, Rayford’s execution proceeded as scheduled.

1959 – Paula Marie Sims – Sims is an American woman who was convicted of murdering her two infant daughters. She was born in Texas and grew up in a large family with several siblings. Sims had a troubled upbringing and was known to have mental health issues from a young age. In 1986, Sims gave birth to her first daughter, Kaelin. A year later, Kaelin died under mysterious circumstances, and Sims claimed that she had accidentally suffocated her while sleeping. In 1989, Sims gave birth to another daughter, Heather. A few months later, Heather also died under suspicious circumstances, and Sims was arrested and charged with murder. Sims was convicted of killing both of her daughters and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. She maintained her innocence throughout her trial and subsequent appeals. Sims’s case attracted widespread attention from activists and mental health advocates, who argued that her history of mental illness should have been taken into account during her trial.

1960 – Jeffrey Dahmer – Dahmer was an American serial killer and cannibal who gained notoriety for his brutal crimes in the 1980s and early 1990s. Dahmer was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and had a relatively normal childhood until his parents’ divorce when he was a teenager. He then became increasingly withdrawn and began exhibiting disturbing behavior, including the killing and dissection of animals. In 1978, Dahmer committed his first murder, picking up a hitchhiker and killing him in his family’s home. He would go on to kill and dismember a total of 17 young men, often targeting individuals who were marginalized or vulnerable, such as gay men and people of color. Dahmer also engaged in necrophilia and cannibalism, often keeping body parts as trophies. Dahmer’s crimes went undetected for several years, but he was eventually caught in 1991 after one of his intended victims escaped and contacted the police. Dahmer was tried and convicted of 15 counts of murder and sentenced to life in prison. Dahmer’s case attracted widespread attention from the media and the public, who were horrified by the extent of his crimes. Dahmer was killed in prison in 1994 by fellow inmate Christopher Scarver.

1961 – Alvie Copeland Kiles – This disgusting waste of space and air lived with his girlfriend Valerie Gunnell and her two small children, 9-month-old Lecresha and 5-year-old Shemaeah, on February 9th, 1989 for reasons unknown but seem to be for his own sick pleasure he beat Valerie to death with a car jack and when her two children started crying and screaming he murdered them too. So happy was he with what he had done that he gave a friend a tour of the murder scene even going so far as standing on Valerie’s head!!!

1967 – Chris Benoit – was a Canadian professional wrestler who left an indelible mark on the industry. From his humble beginnings in Edmonton, Alberta, where he trained under Stu Hart, to his rise as a technical wrestling savant, Benoit’s career was a captivating blend of brilliance and tragedy. Benoit began his professional wrestling career in 1982 and quickly gained recognition for his in-ring prowess. He honed his skills in various independent promotions across Canada and Japan before making his mark in the United States with Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) in the mid-1990s. In ECW, Benoit’s hard-hitting, technically sound style resonated with the hardcore fanbase. He formed a legendary tag team with Eddie Guerrero, and their brutal yet captivating matches cemented their place as ECW icons. In 1995, Benoit jumped ship to World Championship Wrestling (WCW), where he joined the prestigious Four Horsemen faction. He found further success, capturing the WCW World Heavyweight Championship in 2000 and showcasing his versatility in captivating storylines. In 2000, Benoit joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, later WWE). His high-flying, submission-based offense captivated audiences, and he quickly rose to the top of the card. He won the 2004 Royal Rumble match and went on to capture the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania XX, solidifying his status as a main event player. However, Benoit’s career was tragically cut short in June 2007. In a shocking turn of events, he murdered his wife Nancy and their son Daniel before taking his own life. This horrific act cast a dark shadow over his accomplishments and sparked ongoing debates about the long-term effects of head injuries sustained in professional wrestling. Chris Benoit’s legacy remains complex and controversial. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest technical wrestlers of all time, but his achievements are inextricably linked to the horrific tragedy that ended his life. WWE has largely erased him from its historical record, and his matches are rarely if ever, televised. Despite the controversy, Benoit’s influence on professional wrestling is undeniable. His innovative in-ring style and dedication to his craft inspired countless wrestlers who followed in his footsteps. While his actions cannot be condoned, his contributions to the world of professional wrestling deserve to be acknowledged, albeit with the necessary context and sensitivity.

1971 – Larry Ray Swearingen – He was a convicted murderer and rapist who was born on May 21, 1971, in Montgomery County, Texas, USA. Swearingen was arrested and charged with the abduction, rape, and murder of Melissa Trotter, a 19-year-old college student, in 1998. Swearingen maintained his innocence throughout his trial and subsequent appeals but was ultimately found guilty and sentenced to death in 2000. He continued to appeal his conviction for over two decades, claiming that new DNA evidence proved his innocence and that the prosecution’s case was based on circumstantial evidence. Despite his legal efforts, Swearingen was executed by lethal injection on August 21, 2019, after the courts denied his final appeal. His case gained national attention and sparked controversy over the use of the death penalty in the United States, as many activists and supporters believed that he was wrongly convicted and denied due process.

1993 – Ellyzabeth Rainey – Rainey and her mother-in-law Deborah had an extremely volatile relationship and now that she and Deborah’s son were divorcing it only got worse. In Ellyzabeth’s mind she could do no right in her MIL’s world and on the 3rd of April 2013 she snapped, Deborah was staying with Rainey and her husband to look after their baby and the two women had a row that went ballistic, firstly Rainey threw boiling water on her and as the woman was screaming in pain she threw free weights at her, next she stabbed the older woman before pouring bleach into her mouth and nose, as you can imagine Deborah died in agony.

Deaths

Bobby Franks

1924 – Bobby Franks – born on September 19, 1909, in Chicago, Illinois, was a seemingly ordinary 14-year-old boy whose life was tragically cut short on May 21, 1924. His story, however, became forever etched in American history due to his association with the notorious Leopold and Loeb case, one of the most sensational and controversial murder trials of the 20th century. Bobby came from a comfortable background, the son of a successful businessman named Jacob Franks. He was described as a friendly and bright child, a good student, and a Boy Scout. He enjoyed the typical activities of a boy his age – playing baseball, attending movies, and spending time with his family and friends. Unfortunately, Bobby’s life took a devastating turn on the fateful day of May 21st, 1924. While walking home from his tennis lesson, he was lured into a car by Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, two wealthy teenagers from his neighborhood. Driven by a twisted sense of intellectual superiority and a desire to commit a “perfect crime,” Leopold and Loeb kidnapped Bobby, held him captive, and eventually murdered him in a brutal and senseless act. The Leopold and Loeb case captivated the nation. The brutality of the crime and the privileged backgrounds of the perpetrators sparked intense public debate and scrutiny. The trial itself was a media spectacle, with renowned attorney Clarence Darrow representing the defendants and arguing for life sentences instead of the death penalty. Ultimately, Leopold and Loeb were sentenced to life imprisonment, though Loeb was later murdered by a fellow inmate. Bobby’s parents, devastated by their loss, established the Bobby Franks Foundation, dedicated to preventing child abduction and advocating for stronger child protection laws. Although Bobby’s life was tragically short, his memory continues to resonate. His story serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of children and the importance of vigilance in protecting them. The Leopold and Loeb case also sparked significant discourse on criminal justice, the nature of evil, and the influence of privilege.

1926 – Stanko Jukich – Jukich, a Yugoslavian immigrant who had found work as a miner in Ruth, White Pine County, Nevada, was living in a boarding house run by a woman called Mrs. Medak who had a 16-year-old daughter, Jennie. Jukich had attempted to catch the eye of young Jennie but she spurned his advances over and over, she then got engaged to a man from Washington which infuriated Jukich who believed Jennie was his, whilst Jennie was home on Valentine’s Day 1925, Jukich shot and killed her. Jukich was convicted of the crime and was executed by asphyxiation gas in Nevada on May 21, 1926. His execution was one of the early uses of lethal gas in the state of Nevada.

1938 – Mutsuo Toi – was born on March 5, 1917, in Okayama Prefecture. His parents died of tuberculosis when he was a baby, and he was brought up by his grandmother. He was originally outgoing, but at the age of 17, he became socially withdrawn after his sister got married in 1934. On the night of May 21, 1938, in the rural village of Kamo close to Tsuyama in Okayama, Empire of Japan, Mutsuo Toi carried out what is known as the Tsuyama massacre. He killed 30 people, including his grandmother, with a Browning shotgun, katana, and axe, and seriously injured three others. This incident is the deadliest shooting by a lone gunman in Japanese history. Before the massacre, Mutsuo Toi cut the electricity line to the village of Kamo, leaving the community in darkness. He started his spree by killing his 76-year-old grandmother in her sleep. Armed with a modified shotgun, a katana, an axe, several daggers, and 200 rounds of ammunition, he prowled through the village, entering the homes of his neighbors. He killed 29 neighbors and seriously injured three others in about an hour and a half. At dawn, he committed suicide by shooting himself in the chest on a nearby mountain. The Tsuyama massacre was a tragic event that deeply affected the small community of Kamo and remains a dark chapter in Japanese history.

1991 – Rajiv Gandhi – Gandhi was an Indian politician who served as the sixth Prime Minister of India from 1984 to 1989. He was born in Mumbai in 1944, the elder son of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and politician Feroze Gandhi. Rajiv Gandhi was educated in India and the United Kingdom and worked as a professional pilot before entering politics. He became involved in the Indian National Congress party and was elected to Parliament in 1981. In 1984, following the assassination of his mother, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi was appointed Prime Minister of India. During his tenure, he implemented many economic and social reforms, including the modernization of the country’s technology and telecommunications infrastructure. However, his time in office was marred by controversy, including allegations of corruption and government involvement in the Bofors scandal. In 1989, his Congress party was defeated in national elections, and he resigned as Prime Minister. In 1991, Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by a Tamil separatist during a political campaign event. His death was a tragic loss for India and his family, and he is remembered as an important figure in Indian politics and history.

Events

Michaelangelo’s Pieta

1924 – The University of Chicago students Richard Loeb & Nathan Leopold Jr murder 14-year-old Bobby Franks in what is described as a thrill killing.

1934 – Oskaloosa, Iowa becomes the first municipality in the US to fingerprint all citizens.

1936 – Sada Abe is arrested after wandering the streets of Tokyo for days with her dead lover’s severed genitals in her hand – her story soon becomes one of Japan’s most notorious scandals.

1938 – The Tsuyama massacre takes place in Japan

1971 – The white night riots occur in Dan Francisco after Dan White is given a lenient sentence for assassinating Mayor George Moscone and openly gay Harvey Milk.

1972 – Michelangelo’s Pieta in St. Peters Basilica in Rome is damaged by a vandal, the mentally disturbed Hungarian geologist Laszlo Toth.

1981 – The Italian government releases the membership list of Propaganda Due, to an illegal pseudo-masonic lodge that was implicated in numerous Italian crimes & mysteries.

1998 – In Miami, Florida, five abortion clinics are hit by a butyric acid attacker.

1998 – Thurston High School shooting.

2014 – A knife attack on a Taipei Metro train leaves at least 4 dead and 21 others injured.

2015 – American rapper Flavor Flav is arrested near Las Vegas on charges including speeding and DUI.

2018 – A teenager who started the Oregon 2017 Eagle Creek fire was ordered to pay $36.6 million to cover damages.

2019 – Washington becomes the first US State to legalize human composting