Births

Susan Atkins

1943 – Donald E. Reese – Reese visited the Marshall Junction Wildlife Area in Salina County, Missouri on the 9th of September 1986, intending to rob whoever was there, in the course of this crime he would murder four men, and a week later he would be arrested and immediately confessed to everything. He was later convicted and sentenced to death, whilst awaiting his sentence to be carried out, he wrote 475 songs and studied the bible. His death sentence was carried out in August 1997.

1948 – Susan Atkins – Susan Atkins, also known as Sadie Mae Glutz, was an American criminal and member of the infamous Manson Family cult led by the notorious Charles Manson. She was born in San Gabriel, California, in 1948, and grew up in a dysfunctional family environment. Atkins dropped out of high school and soon developed a drug addiction.  She was introduced to Manson and his cult in the late 1960s and quickly became one of his most loyal followers. In August 1969, Atkins was involved in one of the most infamous crimes in American history – the Tate-LaBianca murders. Along with other members of the Manson Family, Atkins broke into the home of writer and director Roman Polanski, killing five people, including actress Sharon Tate who was eight-and-a-half-months pregnant at the time. After being arrested with the rest of the Manson Family members, Atkins initially went along with Manson’s claims and tried to take the fall for the murders. However, she later revealed the full details of the crimes and her participation in them. In 1971, she was found guilty of murder and sentenced to death, but her sentence was later commuted to life in prison. Atkins died in prison in 2009 at the age of 61. Atkins’ involvement in the Manson Family and the heinous crimes they committed have made her a notorious figure in American history. Despite expressing remorse for her actions later in life, Atkins remains a controversial and polarizing figure to this day.

1958 – Tracy Lee Housel – On the 2nd April 1985 after being on the beer all night, Housel met 46-year-old Jean Drew, a short time after meeting they had sex and then went for a drive in her car, they drove to a secluded area and again they were having sex when Housel needed to spit, unfortunately, he spit on her window and Drew lost it, screaming at him, Housel then lost his temper and started beating her, when she managed to move she spit blood onto him and this would make him absolutely furious and he really started laying into her, he ended up strangling her and beat her up to a pulp, her half-naked dead body was found later the same day.

1961 – Michael I. Owsley – Owsley and his friend Marion Hamilton confronted Elvin Iverson & Ellen Cole at Iverson’s home when they returned from Kansas City, Owsley knew that they would have drugs on them and forced them onto the floor at gunpoint, he started by beating them both round the head with the barrel of the gun before telling them that one of them was going to die, he then put the gun to 18-year-old Iverson’s head and after being told to use a pillow by Hamilton he shot Iverson killing him instantly.

1967 – Martin Bryant – Martin Bryant is an Australian mass murderer who is responsible for one of the deadliest shootings in Australia’s history. Born in Tasmania in 1967, Bryant had a troubled childhood and was known as a loner.  On April 28, 1996, Bryant committed the Port Arthur massacre, in which he killed 35 people and injured 23 others at the Port Arthur historic site in Tasmania. The shooting spree lasted for several hours, during which Bryant used a range of weapons, including a semi-automatic rifle.  Bryant’s motives for the shooting are still unclear, although it is believed that he was motivated by a desire for attention and publicity. Following the massacre, Bryant was captured and tried for the murders. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 35 life sentences without the possibility of parole. The Port Arthur massacre had a profound impact on Australian society and resulted in the introduction of strict gun control laws in the country, which have been credited with reducing the incidence of mass shootings in Australia. Despite this, Bryant remains a controversial figure and his actions continue to be analyzed and debated by criminologists and psychologists. Today, Bryant remains incarcerated at the Risdon Prison Complex in Tasmania, where he is highly restricted in terms of communication and interaction with the outside world.

1968 – Randall Scott Jones – is a convicted criminal known for his involvement in a tragic incident that took place on July 27, 1987. On this night, Jones and Chris Reesh went target shooting with a 30-30 caliber rifle near Rodman Dam in Putnam County. Their car became stuck in the sand pits, and after midnight, they tried to flag down a fisherman to pull them out. The fisherman refused but told them to ask for help from the driver of a Chevrolet pickup truck parked in the parking lot. Inside the cab of that truck slept Matthew Brock and Kelly Perry. A 12-year-old camper heard three gunshots between 12:30 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. A Rodman Dam concession worker found cigarette packs, broken glass, and blood in the parking lot that morning. She followed a trail of blood across the parking lot to a wooded area and discovered Brock’s body. A search of the area by police led to the discovery of the partially clothed body of Perry. Both Brock and Perry died from gunshots to the head. Jones was arrested in Mississippi for possession of a stolen vehicle on August 16, 1987. In interviews with Putnam County Sheriff’s Deputies, Jones implicated himself in the murders but blamed Reesh for the shootings. He was sentenced to death on May 3, 1988.

Deaths

H.H. Holmes

1896 – H.H. Holmes – Herman Webster Mudgett, better known as H. H. Holmes, was a name that sent shivers down spines in the late 19th century. This American con artist and serial killer, active between 1891 and 1894, left a trail of bodies and broken hearts in his wake, earning him the moniker “The Devil in Disguise.” Born in 1861 in New Hampshire, Holmes’ early life was shrouded in normalcy. However, glimpses of darkness began to emerge in his fascination with anatomy and macabre practices. He enrolled in medical school but was a mediocre student, expelled for stealing corpses. This marked the beginning of a life fueled by deceit, manipulation, and ultimately, murder. Holmes moved to Chicago in 1886, just as the city was gearing up for the grand World’s Columbian Exposition. He saw the opportunity in the influx of visitors and constructed a devilishly clever building – a three-story monstrosity later dubbed the “Murder Castle.” This wasn’t just any residence. The castle was a labyrinth of hidden passages, gas chambers, soundproof rooms, and trapdoors, designed to lure victims and ensure their demise. Holmes, posing as a charming doctor, preyed on vulnerable women, often young employees or acquaintances, luring them with promises of jobs or romance. Once inside the castle, their fates were sealed. Holmes’ methods were as diverse as they were diabolical. He used gas leaks, poison, and asphyxiation, and even dismantled the building’s features, dropping unsuspecting guests down chutes to their deaths. The exact number of victims remains unknown, with estimates ranging from 20 to 200. Holmes’ reign of terror came to an end in 1894 when he was arrested for defrauding his business partner, Benjamin Pitezel. While initially tried for Pitezel’s murder, Holmes’ past soon unraveled. He confessed to over 27 murders, though the veracity of his claims remains debated. In 1896, H. H. Holmes met his end, hanging at the gallows in Philadelphia. His story, however, continues to fascinate and horrify. The Murder Castle, though demolished in 1938, remains a chilling symbol of his depravity. Holmes’s life and crimes have inspired countless books, movies, and documentaries, solidifying his place as one of America’s most notorious serial killers.

1929 – Albert Anselmi – Born in the sun-drenched Sicilian town of Marsala in 1883, Albert Anselmi (sometimes mistakenly listed as 1884) found himself drawn to the dark underbelly of life early on. He honed his skills under the tutelage of Ignazio Lupo Sietta, a notorious mafioso until a murder charge forced him to flee across the Atlantic in 1912. Emerging illegally onto the Gulf Coast, Anselmi eventually settled in the bustling Italian enclave of St. Louis, known as “The Hill.” Here, he partnered with John Scalise, a fellow Sicilian with a similar penchant for violence. Together, they became inseparable and were aptly nicknamed the “Murder Twins.” Drawn to the allure of Chicago’s Prohibition boom, Anselmi and Scalise migrated north in the early 1920s. Operating within the Genna family, a key ally of Johnny Torrio, they became the ruthless enforcers who helped solidify the family’s grip on the south side. Their bloody deeds, often committed with swift efficiency and chilling nonchalance, earned them a fearsome reputation. One of their most infamous acts was the 1924 assassination of gangster Charles Dion O’Bannion, a pivotal event in the Chicago gang wars. Anselmi and Scalise, along with Johnny Torrio, stormed O’Bannion’s flower shop, riddling him with bullets. This audacious hit cemented their power within the organization and paved the way for Al Capone’s eventual rise. However, loyalty in the gangster world is as fleeting as the fortunes made. Rumors swirled that Anselmi and Scalise were plotting to overthrow Capone himself. Sensing a threat, Capone ordered their execution in 1929. The “Murder Twins” met their bloody end, riddled with bullets and beaten beyond recognition in a garage on Chicago’s North Side. Albert Anselmi, the Sicilian hitman who terrorized Chicago’s streets, left behind a legacy of violence and fear. His life, etched in blood and betrayal, serves as a macabre reminder of the brutal reality of the Prohibition era and the ruthless code of the American Mafia.

1929 – John Scalise – was a ruthless figure in the annals of American organized crime. Rising through the ranks of the Chicago Outfit during the Roaring Twenties, he and his partner, Albert Anselmi, became infamous for their efficiency and brutality as hitmen. Scalise’s life was a whirlwind of violence, fueled by ambition, fear, and a relentless pursuit of power in the lawless underworld of Prohibition-era Chicago. Born Giovanni Scalise in Castelvetrano, Sicily, Scalise immigrated to the United States as a young man, entering the country illegally and settling in Chicago’s Little Italy. As a teenager, he lost his right eye in a violent attack, forever marking him with a distinctive glass eye that enhanced his menacing aura. This, coupled with his stocky build and quiet demeanor, earned him the nickname “The Mad Hatter.” Scalise’s criminal career began under the tutelage of the Genna brothers, prominent figures in the Chicago Outfit. He quickly established himself as a reliable and ruthless enforcer, carrying out hits with cold precision. His partnership with Anselmi proved particularly lethal, as they became known for their coordinated attacks and ability to eliminate rivals without leaving a trace. One of Scalise’s most infamous acts was the 1924 assassination of gangster Charles Dion O’Bannion, the “King of the North Side.” The carefully planned ambush marked a turning point in the gang wars of Chicago, setting off a chain of violence that culminated in the infamous St. Valentine’s Day Massacre four years later. Despite his success, Scalise’s ambition ultimately led to his downfall. In 1929, whispers reached Al Capone, the rising star of the Outfit, that Scalise and Anselmi were plotting to take over his operation. Enraged, Capone lured the pair to a meeting and had them brutally murdered.

1992 – Justin Lee May – was born on April 26, 1946, in Holmes County, Mississippi, USA. He was a welder by profession. In 1978, he was convicted of the murder of Jeanetta Murdaugh, a woman who was shot dead during a shop robbery in Freeport, Texas. The crime went unsolved for more than five years until May and Richard Miles were arrested for the murder in 1983. May’s lawyers presented new evidence that cast doubt on his guilt, contending that the prosecution’s case rested on “fabricated corroboration” and was fundamentally unsafe. Despite this, his conviction and death sentence were upheld on appeal. May suffered from brain damage and mental impairments stemming from the physical abuse he suffered as a child. He had a good behavioral record in prison, with prison officials, family, and friends urging that he not be executed. On May 7, 1992, Justin Lee May was executed, 14 years after the murder. He was the sixth Texas prisoner put to death that year.

1992 – Steven Douglas Hill – Whilst he was an 18-year-old state prisoner, Hill, and his cellmate Michael Anthony Cox escaped whilst on a work detail and stole weapons and a truck from an Arkansas family that they had tied up, they were tracked to another property by the police and during this time Robert Klein a State Investigator was killed by gunshot.  Hill would be later found guilty of Klein’s murder and put to death, he had appealed to President Clinton for clemency but this was denied.

2002 – Hendrik Vyt – 79-year-old Belgian native Vyt was widely known for his out-of-touch racist views when he shot and killed his downstairs neighbors, Ahmed Isiyasni and his wife Abiba El Hajji, a Moroccan couple, during this shooting the couple’s two children were also injured.  Vyt then set his apartment on fire and when police arrived he refused to surrender and died in a gunfight.

2007 – Yahweh Ben Yahweh – was an American religious leader and founder of the Nation of Yahweh, a religious sect that emerged in the 1970s and 80s. He was born Hulon Mitchell Jr. on October 27, 1935, in Oklahoma, but changed his name to Yahweh ben Yahweh in the mid-1970s. Yahweh ben Yahweh preached a unique blend of Christianity and Judaism and promoted black empowerment and self-sufficiency. He gained a large following in Miami, Florida, where he established the headquarters of the Nation of Yahweh in the 1980s. At its height, the group had thousands of members across the country. Despite the Nation of Yahweh’s emphasis on self-sufficiency and community-building, the group became embroiled in various criminal activities, including extortion, arson, and murder. In 1990, Yahweh ben Yahweh was charged and convicted of conspiracy to commit murder and sentenced to 18 years in prison. Yahweh ben Yahweh remained a controversial figure even after his imprisonment, with some of his followers maintaining his innocence and others condemning his actions. He was released from prison on parole in 2001 and passed away in 2007. Regardless of the controversy surrounding his life and work, Yahweh ben Yahweh had a significant impact on the religious landscape of the United States, particularly among African American communities.

2008 – Rachel Hoffman – was a young woman whose life, though vibrant and brief, holds lessons in resilience, potential, and the complexities of justice. Born in Clearwater, Florida, Rachel exhibited a zest for life from a young age, dabbling in ballet, horseback riding, and even competing as a Little Mermaid at 12. By the time she reached adulthood, her list of pursuits expanded to playing flute and piano, skydiving, and exploring the Grand Canyon. However, Rachel’s path took a turn in 2007 when a traffic stop revealed marijuana in her car, leading to a drug rehabilitation program and probation. This encounter with the justice system would change the course of her life. Facing potential further charges, Rachel was pressured into becoming a confidential informant for the Tallahassee Police Department in a highly ambitious and ultimately botched drug sting operation. On May 7, 2008, tragedy struck. The operation went wrong, ending with Rachel’s murder at the hands of the very criminals she was meant to help identify. This devastating event ignited public outcry and scrutiny of the police department’s handling of confidential informants. Rachel’s legacy extends beyond the tragic circumstances of her death. Her case brought about “Rachel’s Law,” a Florida law imposing stricter regulations on how police can utilize confidential informants, aiming to better protect their safety. Though cut short, Rachel’s life remains a testament to the vibrancy of the human spirit, the complexities of navigating legal systems, and the ongoing quest for justice and accountability. Her story serves as a reminder that even amidst darkness, the pursuit of a better future can inspire lasting change.

2013 – Carroll Joe Parr – was a Texas inmate who was executed for the murder of a fellow drug dealer in 2003. He was born on October 18, 1977, in McLennan County, Texas. Known as “Outlaw” on the streets, Parr described himself as a third-grade dropout who “grew up on the streets since I was 9” and had fathered five children. On January 11, 2003, Parr bought some marijuana from Joel Dominguez, 18, outside a convenience store in downtown Waco. Later that evening, Parr and a friend, Earl Whiteside, went to rob Dominguez of the money. They herded Dominguez and another man, Mario Chavez, to a fenced area next to the store, where Parr pistol-whipped Dominguez and demanded the money, which Dominguez gave him. Parr ordered Whiteside to “smoke ’em,” according to court documents. Whiteside shot Chavez in the hand. Parr shot Dominguez in the head. Parr was convicted of the crime and was executed by lethal injection on May 7, 2013, in Huntsville, Texas. He became the fifth inmate executed that year in Texas. Parr maintained his innocence until his death, insisting that someone else killed Joel Dominguez.

Events

The Scream

1866 – German Premier Otto Von Bismarck is seriously wounded in an assassination attempt

1931 – The stand-off between criminal Francis Crowley & 300 members of the NYPD takes place in his 5th-floor apartment on West 91st Street, New York City.

1980 – Paul Geidel Jr, an American murderer and the longest-serving prison inmate in the US is paroled after 68 years, 296 days

1992 – Five New York City cops are arrested in Hauppage, Long Island for selling cocaine

1992 – Three employees at a Mcdonald’s in Sydney, Nova Scotia are brutally murdered and a fourth is permanently disabled after a botched robbery.  This would become the first fast-food murder in Canada.

1994 – Edvard Munch’s painting “The Scream” is recovered three months after it was stolen

1999 – A jury finds that “The Jenny Jones Show” and Warner Bros are liable for the death of Scott Amedure, after purposely deceiving Jonathan Schmitz to appear on a same-sex crush episode.  Schmitz later kills Amedure, the jury awards the Amedure family $25 million.

2009 – Drew Peterson is charged with the murder of Kathleen Savio.

2010 – Scott Jenschke is found shot dead on the sidewalk in Pawtucket, Rhode Island in a case that still remains cold

2019 – Denver is the first US city to decriminalize magic mushrooms

2020 – A US father and son are arrested for the murder of Ahmaud Arbery in Brunswick, Georgia after a video of the killing surfaces.

2021 – Former Police Officer & suspected serial killer Hugo Ernesto Osorio Chavez is arrested in Chalchuapa, El Salvador after a mass grave of 15-40 bodies is found at his house