Births

Georgia Tann

1891Georgia Tann – born Beulah George Tann in 1891, was a figure who embodied a horrifying paradox. On the surface, she was a respected social worker running the Tennessee Children’s Home Society. In reality, she ran a monstrous racket – a black market adoption scheme that thrived for decades. Tann’s early life offered few clues to the darkness within. Raised in Mississippi, she was a product of her ambitious father, a judge who instilled a domineering personality. Despite her own aspirations towards law, she ended up with a music degree and a stint as a teacher. By 1924, Tann landed at the Tennessee Children’s Home Society. What began as a legitimate operation soon morphed into a horrifying scam. Through a web of deceit and manipulation, Tann targeted vulnerable families. Unmarried mothers, the poor, and even children deemed “unsuitable” by the state – all were preyed upon. Tann used a variety of tactics, from coercion to outright kidnapping, to obtain children. The facade was carefully constructed. Tann cultivated an image as an adoption expert, hobnobbing with celebrities and even advising presidents. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, horror unfolded. Children were often denied proper care, subjected to abuse, and even died under Tann’s watch. Adoptions were manipulated, birth certificates fabricated, all to ensure a steady flow of cash for Tann. The web of lies unraveled in the late 1940s. Investigations into suspicious adoptions revealed the truth. However, before justice could be served, Tann succumbed to cancer in 1950. The closure of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society marked the end of her reign, but the trauma inflicted on countless families continues to resonate. Georgia Tann’s story is a chilling reminder of the potential for evil to lurk beneath a cloak of respectability. It’s a stain on American history, a testament to the enduring need for vigilance against those who prey on the vulnerable.

1895George “Machine Gun” Kelly – though a household name, wasn’t quite the trigger-happy gangster his nickname suggests. Born George Kelly Barnes around 1900 (sources vary slightly), this Tennessee native led a life of crime during the Prohibition era, but his fame stemmed more from a high-profile kidnapping than actual firepower. Kelly’s early life was modest. He attended school and even dabbled in college before diving into the world of bootlegging. It was there, in 1927, that he met Kathryn Thorne, a woman who would heavily influence his life of crime. Kathryn, some believe, was the mastermind behind the “Machine Gun” persona, even buying him his signature weapon, a Thompson submachine gun, despite Kelly’s reported dislike of firearms. While Kelly did participate in bank robberies, his claim to infamy came in 1933. Along with Kathryn and others, Kelly kidnapped oil tycoon Charles Urschel for a hefty ransom. The FBI launched a multi-state manhunt, eventually capturing the gang. Though Kelly never uttered the now-famous words “Don’t shoot, G-Men!” during the chase, the phrase became attached to him regardless [FBI]. Despite the notoriety, Kelly’s criminal career was short-lived. Sentenced to life in prison, he died behind bars in 1954. Though a small-time crook by some accounts, Kelly’s association with the dramatic kidnapping and his colorful nickname secured his place in American gangster lore.

1950Joyce L. Cohen – a 24-year-old who went from poverty to wealth, married Miami construction millionaire Stan Cohen in 1981. Their extravagant lifestyle included a mansion in Coconut Grove, skiing at their Steamboat Springs ranch, and late-night parties at Stan’s Miami nightclub. However, tragedy struck on March 7, 1986, when Joyce called 911, claiming that intruders had murdered Stan in their mansion. Suspicious of her story, police investigated further. A convicted felon already in jail revealed that Joyce had hired him and others to kill Stan. At trial, prosecutors portrayed Joyce as a gold-digger who plotted Stan’s murder after he threatened divorce. Although the jury found her guilty, they couldn’t agree on sentencing. Joyce received a 25-year-to-life sentence and became eligible for parole in 2014. 

1953Bandali Michael Debs – is an Australian convicted serial killer currently serving four consecutive life sentences plus 27 years. His crimes include the murder of two Victoria Police officers in August 1998 and the 1997 murder of teenager Kristy Harty. Debs is detained at HM Prison Barwon in Victoria. Debs, originally named Edmund Plancis, hails from Narre Warren, a southeastern suburb of Melbourne. He worked as a tiler and fathered five children. Tragically, his youngest son, Joseph, died from a suspected drug overdose in December 2003. In February 2003, Debs was convicted for the murders of two Victoria Police officers, Sergeant Gary Silk and Senior Constable Rodney Miller, in Moorabbin, Victoria, on August 16, 1998. Jason Joseph Roberts, alleged to be an accomplice, was also convicted and sentenced to two consecutive life terms with a minimum of 35 years. However, Roberts’ conviction was quashed, and he was acquitted by a jury in July 2022. Debs faced charges for the murder of teenager Kristy Mary Harty, who was killed in Upper Beaconsfield on June 17, 1997. Harty had solicited sex along the Princes Highway and met with Debs. They drove to a secluded bush track, where they engaged in unprotected sex. Harty was later found murdered, with a single gunshot wound to the back of her head. DNA evidence linked Debs to the crime, leading to his conviction in May 2007. Justice Kaye described the murder as senseless and wanton, emphasizing that it was not a crime of passion but a cold-blooded act. While incarcerated, Debs participated in psychology, life skills, and computer training programs. He currently works as a prison carpet cleaner. In 2008, Melbourne detectives interviewed Debs in connection with the unsolved 1995 shooting murder of New South Wales sex worker Donna Ann Hicks. DNA analysis linked Debs to the case.

1956David Wayne Spence – was executed in connection with the rape and torture murders of two 17-year-old girls and the murder of an 18-year-old boy in Waco, Texas. He received death sentences in two trials for the murders. Mr. Spence, a roofer with a history of substance abuse, was accused of a murder-for-hire killing that went awry, resulting in the tragic deaths of the three victims. The case became infamous as the 1982 Lake Waco Murders. On July 14, 1982, the bodies of Jill Montgomery, Raylene Rice, and Kenneth Franks were discovered near Lake Waco. All three teenagers had been brutally stabbed and bound. The investigation and subsequent trials lasted over a decade, leading to Spence’s execution and life prison sentences for two other men allegedly involved in the crime, Anthony and Gilbert Melendez. A fourth suspect, Muneer Mohammad Deeb, was eventually released after spending several years in prison. Despite the passage of time, the Lake Waco Murders remain a haunting and tragic chapter in criminal history. The lives of these young victims were cut short, leaving a lasting impact on their families and the community. 

1960Richard Norbert Clarey – a German-American Neo-Nazi, convicted murderer, and self-confessed serial killer. His criminal history is chilling: he was convicted for the murders of three men in Michigan in 1984, but later claimed responsibility for over 100 unsubstantiated murders, which he allegedly began committing at the age of 15 in his native West Germany. Clarey was born in Wiesbaden, West Germany, to an American officer from Kalamazoo, Michigan, and his German wife, Hilde. His father was often absent, leaving the two brothers, Richard Jr. and Paul, under their mother’s care. Richard Jr. became a delinquent, disliking school and indulging in alcohol and drugs, particularly LSD. In his dreams, he heard voices of prominent Nazi figures, who convinced him that he had a “mission to kill all Americans” after reading Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf. Clarey first came to police attention at age 19 when he and an accomplice robbed and stabbed a man in Kalamazoo. They were later imprisoned but released. After his parole, Clarey committed a series of violent acts. On April 15, 1984, he shot and killed acquaintance Robert Baranski, dumping his body at a pier in South Haven. He then picked up another man, 17-year-old John Asher, planning to drive to California. However, he lost control of the car, crashed, and killed Asher. Clarey continued his spree, shooting and killing two tourists in New Buffalo before crossing the Indiana border. This dark chapter in Clarey’s life highlights the disturbing intersection of hate, violence, and criminality.

1968Gayland Charles Bradford – Bradford and his accomplice, Vandron Seymore, entered a Dallas grocery store. Bradford, armed with a pistol, shot security guard Brian Williams in the back. He then turned the gun toward a clerk who sought refuge behind displays. Three more shots were fired at Williams. Bradford attempted to open the cash register, instructing Seymore to take Williams’ money. Seymore took seven dollars and personal items from the wounded guard. They left the store together. Bradford’s girlfriend testified that he had shown her a gun before the killing, claiming he was leaving their apartment to “make some money.” When arrested, police found three guns, crack cocaine, and marijuana in Bradford’s home. During trial, Bradford testified that he intended to rob the store but claimed his gun discharged accidentally. He continued shooting at Williams, alleging self-defense because Williams was reaching for a gun. The prosecution’s key evidence was the security camera recording, which captured Bradford shooting Williams without warning. At the time of the murder, Bradford was on parole for a robbery conviction two years earlier.

1968Melissa Elizabeth Lucio – holds the unfortunate distinction of being the first woman of Hispanic descent to be sentenced to death in Texas. Her case has drawn attention due to its controversial nature. Lucio faced adversity from an early age. She suffered sexual abuse by her mother’s boyfriend at seven. Her life was marked by challenges, including drug addiction and physical abuse in her marriages. Lucio’s twelfth child, Mariah, died in 2007. Paramedics found her unresponsive, with signs of abuse. An autopsy revealed severe injuries, including head trauma, broken bones, and bruising. Lucio was convicted of capital murder. Prosecutors argued abuse, while her defense claimed Mariah’s injuries resulted from a fall. Lucio maintains her innocence. Her case was featured in the documentary “The State of Texas vs. Melissa.” Despite controversy, Lucio’s execution was initially scheduled for April 27, 2022, but an appeals court granted her a stay. In April 2024, after 15 years on death row a judge overturned the death penalty. Her story raises questions about justice, abuse, and the death penalty.

1969Richard Wershe – gained notoriety as the youngest known informant in the history of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). At just 14 to 16 years old, he became a confidential informant for the FBI. His cooperation led to arrests and convictions related to drug trafficking. Unfortunately, at the age of 17, Wershe was arrested for possessing over 8 kg (18 pounds) of cocaine. He received a life sentence under Michigan’s 650-Lifer Law, which mandated life imprisonment without parole for drug possession. Justice campaigners raised concerns about Wershe’s case, suggesting that his incarceration might be connected to his role in providing information about associates of former Detroit mayor Coleman A. Young. In 2017, he was paroled but sent to a Florida prison to serve an additional five years for an unrelated auto theft conviction. Wershe’s family lived in a working-class neighborhood on Detroit’s east side during the 1980s and early 1990s. His father was also an FBI informant, and they both reported to the police and federal agency. The nickname “White Boy Rick” was given to him by reporters covering his case; it wasn’t one he used himself. His work as an informant led to significant convictions before he was no longer employed by the FBI.

1978Crystal Gail Mangum -is an American former exotic dancer from Durham, North Carolina. She gained national attention in 2006 for making false allegations of rape against lacrosse players in the Duke lacrosse case. Unfortunately, her life took a darker turn: in 2013, she was convicted of second-degree murder after stabbing her boyfriend, Reginald Daye, who died ten days later. Mangum claimed self-defense, fearing for her life, but the court sentenced her to 14 to 18 years in prison. Prior to these events, she had a troubled history, including a previous allegation of kidnapping and rape when she was 14 years old. Despite the complexities of her life, Mangum remains a significant figure in discussions about race, class, gender, and the justice system. 

Deaths

Rebecca Schaeffer

1821David Haggart – was a Scottish thief who crammed a lifetime of crime into his short 20 years. Born near Edinburgh, the gamekeeper’s son had a surprisingly good education but fell into petty theft early on. Haggart’s criminal career escalated after a stint in the military. By 1817, he was a seasoned pickpocket, burglar, and shoplifter, working fairs and racecourses across Scotland. Despite several imprisonments, Haggart was a talented escape artist, evading capture four times. His luck ran out in 1820. During an escape from Dumfries prison, Haggart killed a jailer. This act turned him from a notorious thief to a murderer, sealing his fate. Awaiting execution in Edinburgh, Haggart dictated his autobiography, hoping it would raise money for his family. Haggart’s life story captured the public’s imagination. Although some parts are likely embellished, his exploits continue to be a source of fascination.

1954George “Machine Gun” Kelly – born George Kelly Barnes in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1900, gained notoriety as an American gangster during the Prohibition era. His criminal activities included bootlegging and smuggling liquor. Kelly’s nickname, “Machine Gun,” stemmed from his preference for the Thompson submachine gun. He became infamous for the 1933 kidnapping of oil magnate Charles F. Urschel. Despite his criminal life, George “Machine Gun” Kelly remains a memorable figure in American history due to his daring escapades and involvement in high-profile cases.

1989Rebecca Schaeffer – was an American actress and model. She began her career as a teen model before transitioning to acting. In 1986, she landed the role of Patricia “Patti” Russell in the CBS comedy My Sister Sam. The series was canceled in 1988, but Schaeffer continued to appear in several films, including the black comedy Scenes from the Class Struggle in Beverly Hills. Tragically, at the age of 21, she was shot and killed by Robert John Bardo, a 19-year-old obsessed fan who had been stalking her. Schaeffer’s death played a significant role in the passage of anti-stalking legislation in California.

1996Tommie J. Smith – On December 11, 1980, at 5:30 a.m., Indianapolis Police Sergeant Jack Ohrberg and other officers arrived at 3544 North Oxford in Indianapolis to serve papers to individuals believed to be at that location. Ohrberg identified himself as a police officer and attempted to enter the premises. As he banged on the door, officers noticed furniture blocking it and observed muzzle flashes from inside. Tragically, Ohrberg was shot and collapsed on the porch. The situation escalated as shots continued to come from within the house. Eventually, Gregory Resnover surrendered, followed by Earl Resnover. Ohrberg’s business card was found in Earl’s wallet, linking him to the incident. The recovered AR-15 rifle near the wounded Smith was identified as the murder weapon. An extensive cache of weapons and ammunition was also discovered inside the apartment. Resnover’s accomplice was likewise sentenced to death and executed on December 8, 1994.

2002Gerald Gallego – was an American serial killer who, along with his wife Charlene Adell Gallego, terrorized Sacramento, California between 1978 and 1980. Born on July 17, 1946, in Sacramento, California, Gerald had a troubled upbringing. His mother was a sex worker, and his estranged father was executed for killing a police officer during a prison escape. Gerald faced multiple arrests and served prison time for robbery before committing murders. He worked as a bartender and truck driver and married seven times, often abandoning partners when they ran out of money. Disturbingly, he sexually abused a 6-year-old girl at age 12 and later molested his own daughter and her friend. In 1980, he was arrested for his crimes. His partner in crime, Charlene Adell Gallego, was born on October 10, 1956, in Stockton, California. Despite coming from a supportive home (her father was a well-known businessman), Charlene’s life took a dark turn due to drug and alcohol use. She married Gerald while still married to a previous wife. The couple murdered at least eleven victims, mostly teenagers, whom they kept as sex slaves before killing them.

2015Neal Falls – was an American suspected serial killer. Born in Eugene, Oregon, into an impoverished family with nine other children, Falls spent his childhood and formative years in various cities around Oregon. Despite an interest in firearms and military paraphernalia, he refrained from breaking the law, alcohol, or drug abuse. Most of his friends and acquaintances spoke positively of him. In the early 1990s, Falls moved to Greensburg, Kansas, where he lived with his father until his death in 1995. He then returned to Oregon and worked as a private security guard. Over the years, Falls moved to different states, including Nevada, where he worked at Hoover Dam. His behavior became increasingly deviant, and he spent leisure time with sex workers and pimps. In 2008, he quit his job due to alleged sexual harassment and continued to change residences. In 2015, Falls met Heather Saul, a sex worker in Charleston, West Virginia. Their encounter took a dark turn when Falls attacked Saul. In self-defense, she shot and killed him. Only after his death did police discover evidence possibly linking Falls to other crimes. Falls had been stopped by police in over twenty states during his life but had not faced serious criminal charges until his fatal encounter with Saul.

Events

The Clear Lake Murders

1921 – Black Sox trial

1926 – The South African author & journalist, Herman Charles Bosman, shoots and kills his stepbrother David Russell during a quarrel

1936 – Charles “Lucky” Luciano is sentenced to 30-50 years in state prison

1970 – Arthur Brown is arrested for stripping on stage in Palermo, Sicily

1983 – Kelly Marie Ware is murdered by Gary Ridgway

1984 – 21 people are killed and 19 injured in a massacre in a McDonald’s restaurant in San Ysidro, California

1989 – Rebecca Lucile Schaeffer, an American model & actress was fatally shot by Robert John Bardo

1992 – La Cantuta Massacre

2003 – The Clear Lake murders take place

2009 – Five members of one family are found murdered at Epping, New South Wales

2018 – Seventeen men are charged with the gang rape of a 12-year-old girl in Chennai, India

2019 – An arson attack on the animated studio, Kyoto Animation Co in Kyoto, Japan kills at least 33 people

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