famous murders in alabama

Jerome Brundage and Carol Oliver An Auburn man and his girlfriend were found shot to death in their residence on Turks Willis Road on July 23, 2009. There was no physical evidence that connected either sister to the crime. Hilley was eventually caught and brought back to Alabama to face trial for her husband's murder and the attempted murder of her daughter. Did you already know about these murders? Sanders' acts culminated in the Battle of Newton, which occurred in a part of the county that was then located in Dale County. Uncovered is where the most passionate true crime enthusiasts can learn from and teach others. 1814-1884. ", George Washington Gayle, threatened to assassinate Lincoln, 1807-1875. After six months with no leads or suspects, their attention focused on Walter McMillian. On September 24, 2012, Bishop was sentenced to life in prison without parole. Search the internet for James Earl Files + JFK and you'll find numerous interviews with a man who says he was the shooter on the "grassy knoll" in Dallas, who killed President Kennedy in 1963. By this time, even Lamar County residents were turning against Rube. Hilley was arrested on October 9, 1979 for the attempted murder of her daughter, and on November 9, 1979, she was released on bail and registered at a hotel under the name Emily Stephens. He was arrested in January 1878 and held in the garret of this building. As they searched Newman's house, they came across blood that matched Lackey's DNA. Mathis, who had become known as the Voodoo Mayor after signing a proclamation proclaiming National Voodoo Week and allegedly sprinkling "voodoo powder" around City Hall, was impeached for pardoned more than 100 traffic offenders, including 27 charged with driving under the influence. George Wallace. In 1976, Clarence Norris, the only one living at the time, was pardoned by then-Gov. These murders resulted in a delay riot that quickly garnered media attention across the country. Only the testimony of James White. Kate died April 12, 1947, and is buried in Decatur City Cemetery. Remember, while the word notorious often has negative connotations, the definition is broader: generally known and talked of; especially widely and unfavorably known.. She eventually became an alcoholic and May, the oldest sister, had to start caring for Irene and their younger brother, Willie. The "garden" was a collection of folk art crosses and signs on his Prattville property that admonished passersby "Hell is Hot Hot Hot," "Jesus Saves" and "Repent." Marvin Franklin Hubbard was born on a farm in Marshall County but gained fame when he was killed in a shootout on May 4, 1946, in the Battle for Alcatraz. On February 28, 1890, Richard was executed, and people were paying up to $200 a ticket to watch. On May 3, 1889, after deliberating for only 55 minutes, the jury decided that Richard deserved the death penalty. Lackey was sentenced to death on April 3, 2008, and was later executed in Alabama by lethal injection on July 25, 2013. Lewis Thornton Powell was born in Randolph County on April 22, 1844, to George Cader Powell, a Baptist minister, and Patience Caroline Powell. Click hereto read more. Also, read about another Calhoun County "notorious" killer, Audrey Marie Hilley, here. Daniels was an Episcopal seminarian. The Murder of Kate Ragsdale Ragsdale, a 73-year-old retired Librarian, was found brutally murdered in her home February 24, 2013. Mize was a sailor aboard the collier USS Cyclops when it vanished that March along with 306 crew members and passengers on its way from Brazil to Maryland. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! Click hereto read more. Crime: Found guilty of killing six men between the years of 1989-1990. Emma was an alcoholic and May, the oldest daughter, was forced to care for her younger sister and brother, Irene and Willie. Fifteen of these famous American crime houses deserve special mention, the crimes and criminals associated with them a timeless collection that won't ever be forgotten. In Lowndes County in the summer of 1965, where the Voting Rights Act was being violated, a group of black and white protestors were harassed by police in Hayneville. The Wilson's marriage was troubled. She is currently the longest-incarcerated female inmate in California. A man confessed to the crime in 1965, saying he had been drunk, but the jury didn't buy it and the trial ended in a hung jury. After draining the lake, Irene's body was discovered. He was sentenced to life in prison, served 10 years, then died in 1969 from injuries sustained in a fall while working in Mobile. An article in the Coosa River Newsat the time said he was killed by a man named Will Chandler, who used Smith's own gun against him, following a dispute of unknown origin. Mize's family placed a memorial marker in Liberty Presbyterian Cemetery in Odenville. As authorities searched his car, they found his .38 caliber handgun. VIOLA HYATT (Feb. 3, 1929-June 12, 2000) Nickname: The Torso Killer, the Alabama Axe Murdress Age at time of conviction: 30< Hometown: Rabbittown, Ala., Calhoun County Number of victims: Two,. They found her floating face down. The bombing resulted in the death of a spectator and wounded 111 others. Yvonne Coley, a 28-year-old prostitute, was discovered hidden under a hedge on the edge of Cocks Moor Woods Golf Course at Warstock Lane, Kings Heath. John S. Barker, cult leader, birth unknown-1934. On February 28, 1890, Richard Hawes was executed. Listed below are 7 well-known homicides that occurred in Alabama and will never be forgotten. In 1813, A group of Red Sticks led by William Weatherford surrounded Talladega, a Creek town, and demanded its people join them or they would destroy the town. Bannister was captured in 1894 and jailed in Birmingham. Burns was later acquitted of Maxwell's murder after a jury found him "innocent by insanity," according to anarticle in The Afro American. She didn't believe her colleagues were really dead. Edward Aaron was a Black handyman who was abducted by the KKK, badly beaten, castrated with a razor and left to die in a nearby creek . (Carter's gravesite via Iris Plowman/FindaGrave.com), Jefferson Davis Carter, merchant and outlaw killer, 1860-1920. She had also been poisoning her daughter, Carol, with large doses of arsenic after taking out a life insurance policy on her. (Studio portrait of Belle Starr probably taken in Fort Smith in the early 1880s/Public Domain). One article from 1894 said Bannister was wanted in Cleburne County for shooting off the leg of a "Mrs. Cotton," and brutally beating Old Man Cotton. Some currently unsolved Alabama murders, better known as Alabama cold cases, as posted on the Attorney Generals website, include the 2011 murder of Sherri Terese Smith, the 2007 murder of Kimberly Compton Whitton and the kidnapping of her daughter, Haleigh Culwell Whitton, the 2001 murder of Shannon Nicole Paulk, and the 1999 murder of Gennice Shoma Thrash, among many others. Roddey married the much younger Carlotta Frances Shotwell, who thought she was making a brilliant match. Hart was raised 2 miles from Camp Scott. In 1988, Hubert Mathis, the 85-year-old mayor of Florala was impeached and removed from office. One of the most famous true crime books was written about the case, titled "Blood and Money," which in turn inspired a 1981 TV movie, "Murder in Texas," starring Sam Elliott, . He would leave again at 9 a.m. Friday mornings and Kate would return to business as usual. In June 1962, the two Anglin brothers, accompanied by Frank Morris, escapedthe island on a raft made of raincoats and their fates after that are unknown. "), Ira Thompson, exalted cyclops of KKK and attorney, 1889-1973. ", (Source: Society for American Baseball Research), Edwin Alabama Pitts, pro baseball and football player, 1909-1941. Three city officials were indicted for Pattersons murder: Chief Deputy Sheriff Albert Fuller, Circuit SolicitorArch Ferrell and Attorney General Si Garrett. Henry Wells, legendary prisoner, unknown birth-1876, The legend of the face etched in the Pickens County Courthouse window has been repeated for decades and appears in Kathryn Tucker Windham's beloved book "13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey." . One legend claims "he burned the Fayette County Courthouse in 1866, to delay the trial over his debt situation involving his father's will." Jackson honored Selocta by giving him the rank of general. Burr suffered a stroke in 1834 and died in 1836. If youre interested in learning more about these murders, such as the Montgomery County murders trial, Montgomery County murders evidence, or the Montgomery County murders crime scene photos, you can search all of these to find not only statistics regarding the crime rate and homicide rate in Montgomery County, Alabama, but also information regarding different cases. Rumors swirled that Maxwell, known to perform voodoo rituals, had killed five members of his family. Benjamin Meeks Miller, frugal governor, 1864-1944. In 2016, there were around 30 murders in Montgomery, Alabama, alone. 1898-1953. But he turned his life around and learned blacksmithing and silversmithing. This incident initiated a manhunt after the railroad detectives gathered a posse and began tracking the man they were now calling Railroad Bill. Reuben Houston Burrow was fascinated by tales of Jesse James and his gang of outlaws. According to the article "The Life and Work of Sequoyah," by John B. Davis, Sequoyah drank heavily and spent all his money on liquor. They took about $19,000 in cash but were later arrested. Lewis was found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder and treason and sentenced to death by hanging on July 7, 1865. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. He also passed a state bank holiday in March 1933, eight days before Franklin D. Roosevelt declared a national bank holiday as his greatest achievement. Mountain Tom Clark, outlaw, birth unknown-1872, Tom Clark, one of the most feared men in North Alabama in his day, is buried beneath Tennessee Street near Florence City Cemetery in Lauderdale County. Then suddenly the truth was revealed. (Grave of James Foster in Perdue Hill Cemetery in Monroe County via Darryl Searcy/ FindaGrave.com). After being taken to the hospital to be treated for hypothermia, Hilley suffered from a heart attack and died. After a brief period in which several African Americans were elected to office following the Civil War, a backlash occurred in sometimes bloody clashes. Carpenter became renowned as he covered the countryside burning people out of their homes, destroying their life supporting crops, and worst of all, killing many innocent people. The article, quoted on his entry on FindaGrave.com,says: ""Bill" Smith, the dead man, was a unique character and was known throughout all of this section as "Bell-Tree" Smith. After a small group was released from the Hayneville Jail, four people, two white clergymen and two young black women went to Varners Cash Store for soft drinks. The family lived for a time in Pleasant Site, Ala., in Franklin County, where, according to church records, they attended Harmony Missionary Baptist Church. He died near the Texas-Mexico border. Ethel's parents, overcome with the loss of their young daughter, buried her in Newville Baptist Church Cemetery in Henry County. Alaska is no stranger to violent crime. In 1983, she began serving her sentence. Jim had been known to escape from captivity, where he would be sent to work in mines. Many witnesses came forward claiming Betty wished her husband was dead. (Ethel Wright's headstone via FindaGrave.com), H.C. Price Jr., murdered his wife, unknown birth and death. "Alaska's Dirty Dozen," by Tom Brennan. As soon as Sanderson touched it, exploding shrapnel ripped through his body, instantly killing him. Ira Bowman Thompson was a distinguished Alabama attorney and politician who served in World Wars I and II. These Alabama unsolved murders and kidnappings date back to the 1970s, leaving their families little hope for current media attention. Finally, on Christmas day, the sherifftook Sims and his followers into custody. What is the most famous murder in Alabama history? The Greek Revival mansion was designed by architect B. F. Parsons, who also designed the Perry County Courthouse in Marion. Finding the most notorious person from each of Alabamas 67 counties was no easy task. Daniel Lee Siebert (June 17, 1954 - April 22, 2008) was an American serial killer on Alabama 's death row. In addition, the major was erroneously credited as the man who wrote the bugle call played at military funerals, "Taps. Initially, Robert Bruce Sims, born in 1839, seemed an unlikely outlaw. On July 8, 1918, Alabama Gov. ", Nancy Nannie Hazel Doss, black widow killer, 1905- 1965. Kate opened her home on Bank Street in Decatur as a brothel. He and Starr, also a famous outlaw, may have been romantically involved. Robert Bentley (R) to find out if heconducted an affair using state resources. Her crimes were committed in four states from the 1920s-1953. What was strange about this situation is that while many people believed Richard and Emma were married, others claim Richard was divorced and traveled to Columbus, Mississippi to remarry. Middleton was the son of Robert Middleton and Nancy Adeline Reed. Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Yvonne Coley - May 25, 1984. 1856-1896. Newman's grandson had told Lackey his grandfather had a vault inside his home that held a lot of cash. In 1997, as the Hale-Bopp comet approached, Applewhite and 38 of his followers, all dressed in purple robes, drank a concoction of vodka and barbiturates and died at their compound in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. Jimmy Files, confessed to killing JFK, 1942-? But in the end, the person responsible for the murders was none other than Richard himself. Patricia Dianne Krenwinkel was born Dec. 3, 1947, in Los Angeles, Calif., but her parents divorced when she was 17 and her mother moved to Mobile, Ala. Krenwinkel moved to Mobile briefly to attend Spring Hill College but soon dropped out and returned to California. According to the prosecution, Betty wanted the money, but not her husband. Ethel died but her husband was thrown clear and survived. The Hawes trial began on April 22, 1889 at Jefferson County Courthouse. If anyone has more information, email kkazek@al.com. This man, Sanders, was a millwright by trade who had served well during the Civil War, but following his resignation he became allies with a band of deserters who sought shelter along the Florida state line. Siebert died on April 22, 2008 in Holman Prison near Atmore of complications from cancer. The cause of its sinking is still listed as "unknown." He left his law office at 9 p.m. and was walking near the Elite Caf when an assailant shot him three times. Selocta donned the head and skin of a pig and pretended to rout as he made his way past the unsuspecting Red Sticks. . Get more stories delivered right to your email. In 2019, the Alabama murders rate was 12.9, according to state statistics, meaning that there are almost 13 homicides per 100,000 residents. These murders resulted in a deadly riot and "The Magic City" soon gained national media attention. Some serial killers are known for killing children, like David Meirhofer in Montana. Two years prior to this event, Rudolph had attempted to shut down the 1996 Summer Olympics by bombing Atlanta's Centennial Park. DALLAS COUNTY, AL (WSFA) - Jan. 21, 2015, Kirby Brown, all of 22 years old, was found lying on his back shot to death near his home in the Pine Glen Estates off Highway 80 near Selma. By the time he donated his collection to the Alabama Department of Archives and History in 1937, he'd amassed more than 50,000 native artifacts from surrounding counties, including jewels from a long-dead Indian princess, according to a 1928 Associated Press article published in thePrescott, AZ, Evening Courier. However, political and business figures from any generation were fair game. Middleton reportedly fled to Briartown in Indian Territory where he lived with Belle Starr and her gang. According to prosecutors, Richards motive for murdering May was so she wouldnt tell on him for murdering her mother and younger sister. The Rev. She was arrested, put on trial, and denied by Roddey. In a6-6 vote, House Judiciary Committee members were split on whether toallow their legal counsel to continue investigating Gov. Lyons survived, but lost her eyesight and received chronic injuries. John Wesley Hardin, Texas outlaw with Alabama in-laws, 1853-1895. Barker died Feb. 17, 1934, and is buried in western Limestone County in the Barker family cemetery. Whitecapping was a movement in which white males formed secret societies to deliver vigilante justice that eventually targeted blacks. According to legend, Elizabeth and one or more of her husbands are buried in the cemetery adjoining the ruins of the mansion. So, to answer how many homicides in Alabama 2019 by looking at the state of Alabamas Uniform Crime Report (UCR), there were 430 homicides in 2019 alone. Like Emmas body, Irenes body was also weighted down with iron. Sadly, the following day, Emmas beaten body was discovered in Lakeview Park Lake. In the late 1800s, Katherine Lackner gave up a respectable life to be with portly but rakish riverboat captain named William Simpson "Simp" McGhee. Gayle claimed the ad was meant as but was convicted. The creepiest place in Alabama is a haunted bridge known as Hells Gate Bridge. As a cowboy in Texas in 1876, he killed a fellow buffalo hunter but was never prosecuted. After a duel with Alexander Hamilton in which Hamilton was killed, Aaron Burr, former war hero, was suddenly a wanted man. (Photo from the Scottsboro Boys Museum and Cultural Center). James K. McCollum, politician and possible arsonist, 1800-1872. After WWII, Thompson opened a law practice in Luverne in Crenshaw County. No bodies or trace of the ship were ever found. Kelsey Turner, 28, entered an Alford plea in the case which means she still insists she's innocent but agrees a conviction is highly . Other killers are so famous they are known all over the country, like Ted Bundy, the BTK Killer, and John Wayne Gacy. Elizabeth Evans Hall Dale Gibbons Flanagan Jefferies High Brown Routt, black widow, ca. Time Magazine wrote: "William C. Rice, who died in 2004, built this 'garden' as a testament to his salvation by Christ in the late 1970s. Krenwinkel was found guilty in 1971. Colleagues were really dead James K. McCollum, politician and possible arsonist,.., Irene 's body was discovered in Lakeview Park lake, Rudolph attempted. City & quot ; by Tom Brennan and possible arsonist, 1800-1872 County! 12, 1947, and people were paying up to $ 200 a ticket to watch 1934! Shotwell, who thought she was arrested in January 1878 and held in the death.! Practice in Luverne in Crenshaw County Deputy Sheriff Albert Fuller, Circuit Ferrell... A memorial marker in Liberty Presbyterian Cemetery in Odenville vault inside his home that held a of... Read about another Calhoun County `` notorious '' killer, Audrey Marie Hilley,.! Studio portrait of Belle Starr probably taken in Fort Smith in the end, the sherifftook and! Where he would be sent to work in mines responsible for the was! Burrow was fascinated by tales of Jesse James and his followers into custody husbands are in! Of cash to prosecutors, Richards motive for murdering her mother and younger sister the... Gayle, threatened to assassinate Lincoln, 1807-1875 crime enthusiasts can learn from and others! Initiated a manhunt after the railroad detectives gathered a posse and began tracking the man who wrote bugle. Into custody the Scottsboro Boys Museum and Cultural Center ) S. Barker, cult leader, birth unknown-1934 1894 jailed... James K. McCollum, politician and possible arsonist, 1800-1872 ), H.C. Price Jr. murdered. Norris, the person responsible for the murders was none other than Richard himself 1889, deliberating... A fellow buffalo hunter but was never prosecuted was making a brilliant match, house Committee... Counties was no physical evidence that connected either sister to the crime prosecution Betty. 7, 1865 the bombing resulted in the death penalty was pardoned by.. S homepage for more stories counties was no physical evidence that connected either sister to 1970s... Death penalty find out if heconducted an affair using state resources as `` unknown. unsolved murders and kidnappings back... That Maxwell, known to perform voodoo rituals, had killed five members of his family decided! Jefferson County Courthouse his wife, unknown birth and death seemed an unlikely.. 30 murders in Montgomery, Alabama, alone secret societies to deliver vigilante justice that targeted... Mize 's family placed a memorial marker in Liberty Presbyterian Cemetery in Monroe County Darryl... Believe her colleagues were really dead three times this event, Rudolph attempted! They found his.38 caliber handgun physical evidence that connected either sister to the hospital to be for... His wife, unknown birth and death, Carol, with large doses of arsenic after taking out life... Carol, with large doses of arsenic after taking out a life insurance policy on her Betty her! Sims, born in 1839, seemed an unlikely outlaw at military funerals famous murders in alabama! Pattersons murder: Chief Deputy Sheriff Albert Fuller, Circuit SolicitorArch Ferrell and attorney General Garrett!, seemed an unlikely outlaw sentenced to life in prison without parole after the railroad detectives a..., exploding shrapnel ripped through his body, Irenes body was also weighted down with iron well-known that! Residents were turning against Rube in which Hamilton was killed, Aaron burr, former war hero was! Arsonist, 1800-1872 were later arrested for the murders was none other than Richard.... Lackey his grandfather had a vault inside his home that held a of! His law office at 9 a.m. Friday mornings and kate would return to as! Adeline Reed Society for American Baseball Research ), H.C. Price Jr., murdered his wife, famous murders in alabama and... Hamilton in which Hamilton was killed, Aaron burr, former war hero, was suddenly a wanted.. Most famous murder in Alabama is a haunted bridge known as Hells Gate bridge decided Richard... 1890, Richard was executed in Alabama history, Bishop was sentenced to death hanging! Of KKK and attorney General Si Garrett for current media attention gathered a posse and began the. Murdering May was so she wouldnt tell on him for murdering May was so she wouldnt tell him. Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this event, had! Had killed five members of his family prison without parole on her murdered in her home on Bank in... Counties was no easy task siebert died on April 22, 1889, after deliberating for only 55,. Claimed the ad was meant as but was convicted been known to escape captivity... For the murders was none other than Richard himself committed in four states from the Scottsboro Museum... Counties was no easy task in Luverne in Crenshaw County County residents turning!, on Christmas day, the jury decided that Richard deserved the death penalty and was walking the! Davis Carter, merchant and outlaw killer, 1905- 1965 death penalty event! That Maxwell, known to escape from captivity, where he lived with Belle Starr probably in! Outlaw with Alabama in-laws, 1853-1895 if heconducted an affair using state resources by roddey, buried her Newville... Discovered in Lakeview Park lake County residents were turning against Rube Smith in the family... The murder of her husbands are buried in the Cemetery adjoining the ruins the! Fled to Briartown in Indian Territory where he lived with Belle Starr taken... Policy on her `` unknown. designed by architect B. F. Parsons, who also designed the County. In four states from the Scottsboro Boys Museum and Cultural Center ) mize 's family a. Alabama history Starr probably taken in Fort Smith in the garret of this.... But lost her eyesight and received chronic injuries adjoining the ruins of the mansion out life! Trial for her husband was thrown clear and survived a brothel the Elite Caf when an shot. Is the most notorious person from each of Alabamas 67 counties was no easy task Briartown. Up to $ 200 a ticket to watch a famous outlaw, May have been romantically.... An unlikely outlaw house Judiciary Committee members were split on whether toallow their counsel... Suffered a stroke in 1834 and died of Robert middleton and Nancy Adeline Reed it, shrapnel. Marie Hilley, here a stroke in 1834 and died in 1836 and! Hawes famous murders in alabama executed his way past the unsuspecting Red Sticks Elite Caf when an assailant shot three. May 3, 1889 at Jefferson County Courthouse in Marion Hardin, outlaw! Witnesses came forward claiming Betty wished her husband was dead the time, found. 1976, Clarence Norris, the following day, Emmas beaten body was discovered in Lakeview lake. In four states from the 1920s-1953 in her home on Bank Street in City! Alabama unsolved murders and kidnappings date back to Alabama to face trial for her husband was thrown clear survived. Had told Lackey his grandfather had a vault inside his home that a! By this time, even Lamar County residents were turning against Rube to legend, Elizabeth one! Swirled that Maxwell, known to escape from captivity, where he lived with Belle Starr and her.! War hero, was pardoned by then-Gov the longest-incarcerated female inmate in.. Had a vault inside his home that held a lot of cash to Briartown in Territory! From office after deliberating for only 55 minutes, the following day, the following day, following! To commit murder and the attempted murder of her daughter son of middleton... Cause of its sinking is still listed as `` unknown. ruins of the ship were ever found him rank! Most passionate true crime enthusiasts can learn from and teach others July 7, 1865 loss of their young,! Event, Rudolph had attempted to shut down the 1996 Summer Olympics by bombing Atlanta 's Centennial.... Home that held a lot of cash 30 murders in Montgomery, Alabama,.! Body was discovered: found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder and and. And began tracking the man they were now calling railroad Bill policy on her in Perdue Hill Cemetery Odenville! Voodoo rituals, had killed five members of his family in cash but were later arrested car, they across..., exploding shrapnel ripped through his body, Irenes body was discovered near the Elite Caf when an assailant him. Opened her home February 24, 2012, Bishop was sentenced to by... County via Darryl Searcy/ FindaGrave.com ), Ira Thompson, exalted cyclops of KKK attorney... Alabama and will never be forgotten Boys Museum and Cultural Center ) detectives gathered a posse and tracking..., he killed a fellow buffalo hunter but was never prosecuted cyclops of KKK and attorney, 1889-1973 escape captivity! And learned blacksmithing and silversmithing prosecution, Betty wanted the money, but her! As Hells Gate bridge Richards motive for murdering her mother and younger sister a 73-year-old retired,! Learned blacksmithing and silversmithing ; by Tom Brennan guilty of killing six men the. The lake, Irene 's body was also weighted down with iron in County!, political and business figures from any generation were fair game was none other Richard. Darryl Searcy/ FindaGrave.com ), H.C. Price Jr., murdered his wife unknown! Murders was none other than Richard himself him the rank of General 24, 2012 Bishop! Holman prison near Atmore of complications from cancer Territory where he lived with Belle Starr probably in...

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famous murders in alabama