famous murders in alabama

In 2006, Betty was remarried in prison to Bill Campbell - an Army contractor who became highly obsessed with Betty after seeing her story on TV. Richard Hawes was the only suspect and as he was taken to jail, he continued to claim his innocence. It was a bomb. Elizabeth Evans Hall Dale Gibbons Flanagan Jefferies High Brown Routt, black widow, ca. As for notorious Alabama criminals, some of the most famous include Nancy Hazel Doss, also known as the Black Widow killer, who killed up to 11 family members; Bobby Frank Cherry, a Ku Klux Klan member who was convicted of four counts of murder after the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in 2002; and Joseph Dewey Akin, who was a doctor suspected of killing over 100 people during his 10-year career in medicine. Lackey was sentenced to death on April 3, 2008, and was later executed in Alabama by lethal injection on July 25, 2013. Willie Maxwell, the Alexander City man known as the Voodoo Preacher, claimed to be the"seventh son of the seventh son"and people seemed to die wherever he went. He was also a character about whom many legends arose. Alabama: The Sixteenth Street Baptist Church bombing (1963) Source: O'Halloran, Thomas J. After making restitution and serving a period of probation, he was pardoned by the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles in 1998. 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. He led the local Ku Klux Klan in 1868-69, participated in the Meridian riot of 1871, and took part in the killing of two active Republicans, one white and one black, in 1874. The tale was repeated in Kathryn Tucker Windham's "13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey. The local history stated that Cagles weight gain began in 1917 after he suffered a strange fever, called a sleeping sickness by locals. Newman's grandson had told Lackey his grandfather had a vault inside his home that held a lot of cash. On February 28, 1890, Richard Hawes was executed. On April 22, 1889, the Hawes trial began at the Jefferson County Courthouse. They found her floating face down. The temperatures had been in the low 30s. While some might assume the creepiest place is the site of a famous murder in Alabama, its actually much different. The bombing resulted in the death of a spectator and wounded 111 others. The telegram also listed their train itinerary, so when cops caught up with Richard in Birmingham, they arrested him for murder. According to an article in the Vernon Courier,"Jim Morrison, the noted Bibb County desperado, has at last been run to death. John S. Barker, who advised his congregation that making whiskey was legal as long as it was sold to "non-believers," that a husband and wife of different religious beliefs should separate, and that his followers must "donate" to the church, although in reality he sent thugs to their homes to collect money, according to the 1973 book "A History of Limestone County" by Robert Henry Walker. She had been . Bannister was captured in 1894 and jailed in Birmingham. According to prosecutors, Richards motive for murdering May was so she wouldnt tell on him for murdering her mother and younger sister. The people of Florence dedicated a memorial plaque to mark the grave, the inscription of which reads, in part: "The notorious outlaw gang leader who boasted that no one would ever run over Tom Clark lies buried near the center of Tennessee Street where now all who pass by do run over him. These murders resulted in a delay riot that quickly garnered media attention across the country. Half of the committee voted to hold off, citing an ongoing probe by the state attorney general's office.". However, the late Vincent Bugliosi, Charles Mansion prosecutor and author, calls Files the "Rodney Dangerfield of Kennedy assassins" in his book, "Reclaiming History: The Assassination of President John F. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. In 1870, in a period of political unrest during Reconstruction in the South, members of the Ku Klux Klan were busy in Alabama terrorizing those who supported black residents holding office. Crime: Found guilty of killing six men between the years of 1989-1990. Nearly 20 years after the murders of Tracie Hawlett and J.B. Beasley, law enforcement was able to link Coley McCraney to their murders using DNA evidence collected at the crime scene. Hal was a slave of Col. Alex Hollinger, who was born in 1793 in Mobile. Gayle claimed the ad was meant as but was convicted. 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. Even today, relatives of the Anglins claim to have evidence the brothers survived. The sect would become known as "Simsites." Born in 1853 to a circuit-riding preacher in Texas, Hardin would kill his first of an estimated twenty-seven men when he was fifteen years old, according to the book "Alabama Scoundrels: Outlaws, Pirates, Bandits and Bushwhackers." Uncovered is where the most passionate true crime enthusiasts can learn from and teach others. These murders resulted in a deadly riot and "The Magic City" soon gained national media attention. 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." He was convicted of three murders and confessed to at least five. (Source for photo of grave of Gassaway/TIW via FindaGrave.com), William Reynolds, mass murderer, ca. $15.95. . Or, if youre a fan of the macabre, then you might want to learn more about the most notorious murders in Alabama, starting with the Hawes Murders. There Are Numerous Historic Buildings In This Alabama City, Underneath Foley, Alabama Lies A Creepy Yet Amazing Tunnel, 9 Historic Photos That Show Us What It Was Like Living In Alabama In The Early 1900s, Few People Know The History Behind Waldo Covered Bridge, The Second Oldest In Alabama, Family-Owned Since The Early 1900s, Step Back In Time At Chris Famous Hotdogs In Alabama, The Story Behind The Murders That Happened At This Alabama Lake Is Truly Chilling, The One College In Alabama Where Youll Most Likely Have A Ghostly Encounter, This Abandoned Funeral Home In Alabama Will Chill You To The Bone, Aunt Jenny Johnston Bankhead National Forest. Forman "Austin" Mize was barely 18 years old when he disappeared in 1918 in the Bermuda Triangle. The outlaw brothers were executed on Nov. 18, 1859, for murder: Irvin and Stephen Ward were hung for the murder of Allen Page during a failed cotton wagon robbery near Brewer Creek in Conecuh County, Ala. A posse caught the brothers, who confessed." She eventually became an alcoholic and May, the oldest sister, had to start caring for Irene and their younger brother, Willie. Jim had been known to escape from captivity, where he would be sent to work in mines. Anodd footnotes about the case: She reportedly asked that her body be donated to science so people could figure out why she killed. In 1967, Krenwinkel met Charles Manson and, in 1969, accompanied Manson Family members on two murder sprees. Here's some of America's most notorious female criminals: 1. Joseph Sanders, bushwhacker, 1828-ca. ", Railroad Bill, legendary outlaw, ca. (Studio portrait of Belle Starr probably taken in Fort Smith in the early 1880s/Public Domain). On May 3, 1889, Hawes received the death penalty. The nine the teens and young men accused of raping two women aboard a train ranged in age from 13 to 20. His visits to the town of Boaz to purchase clothing and supplies always caused a stir among locals, who took it as a sign winter weather was approaching, according to a history provided by Lynn Burgess of the Boaz Library. Don Noble's newest book is "Alabama Noir," a collection of original stories by Winston Groom, Ace Atkins, Carolyn Haines, Brad Watson, and eleven other Alabama authors. Some of the most famous Alabama murders over the years include the 2005 murder of Charles Newman, who was killed on Halloween night by Andrew Lackey, later named the Halloween Killer; the 1941 Gibson Family Murders; and the 2001 unsolved murder of Shannon Paulk. Bill'sex-wife Jenny arrived in Blount County in July 1918 and announced she wasn't dead. The bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham in 1963 took the lives of Carole Robertson, Cynthia Wesley, Addie Mae Collins and Denise McNair, and injured about 20 others. He eventually renounced segregationism. Krenwinkel fought extradition to Californiabut eventually returned to California to stand trial. Finally, on Christmas day, the sherifftook Sims and his followers into custody. He would guess their ages and vocations and was usually correct. Krenwinkel was found guilty in 1971. Wallace is known for his pro-segregation stance in the 1960s, famously saying in his 1963 inaugural address he stood for "segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever." In 1896 Railroad Bill met his demise in front of Wards General Store in Atmore. Finding the most notorious person from each of Alabamas 67 counties was no easy task. Also, read about another Calhoun County "notorious" killer, Audrey Marie Hilley, here, National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund website. Peacock said legend states the brothers were so despised that they were buried facing west instead of the traditional east when they were cut down from the gallows., (A late-19th century photo of John Kirkham from Barbara Kim Thigpen), John K. McEwen, beloved businessman and reader, 1856-1939. Carter was injured but Burrow was struck in the chest and died. He was returned to Washington, D.C., and acquitted on Sept. 1. According to the prosecution, Betty wanted the money, but not her husband. In 1896, Jefferson County Deputy Sheriff Henry Cole, a famous lawman, killedThrasher. But like every state, Alabamas history was created by plenty of colorful characters. Hawes was an engineer for Georgia-Pacific and reportedly killed his family so he could marry Mayes Story. ", (Grave of Allen Page by Melody via FindaGrave.com), The Ward Brothers, outlaws, Irvin (1828-1859), Stephen (1834-1859), The Ward brothers are buried in the Ward-Witherington Cemetery in Conecuh County. Gayle received a full pardon from Andrew Johnson. He and Starr, also a famous outlaw, may have been romantically involved. If youre interested in learning more about the horrific history of all murders in Alabama, you can find lists just by searching list of murders in Alabama or list of Alabama murders. If youre interested in learning more about famous murders, a simple search of Alabama famous murders will find you the results youre looking for. Middleton reportedly fled to Briartown in Indian Territory where he lived with Belle Starr and her gang. We believe the more resources we can provide to digital volunteers and citizen solvers mean more citizen detective communities. In 1992, he was indicted for theft, conspiracy, and ethics violations, accused of taking $200,000 from a 1987 inaugural account to buy such things as marble showers. As Lackey tried driving himself to the hospital, he had to make a stop. Guy Hunt, born in Holly Pond in Cullman County, was the states first Republican governor since the Reconstruction era. According to the book "Politics, Society, and the Klan in Alabama, 1915-1949," he was among 36 suspected Klan members who were indicted for attacks on black and white residents in October 1927. In the 1910s, a religious sectwas formed in Limestone County by the Rev. James K. McCollum, politician and possible arsonist, 1800-1872. In 2013, Gov. Sadly, murders in Alabama by year seem to rise, with no end in sight, especially in certain areas. ", (Source: Kees Vandenberg via FindaGrave.com), Pink Parker, bitter Confederate rebel, 1839-1921, Joseph Pinkney "Pink" Parker, a Confederate veteran with a deep hatred for Abraham Lincoln, had a monument created to honor Lincoln's assassin, John Wilkes Booth, and tried to donate it to the city but the council refused to accept it. "Alabama Scoundrels: Outlaws, Pirates, Bandits and Bushwhackers. He was eventually arrested and received treatment for his wound. Charles Henderson pardoned Wilson and he was released from jail. He broke out of the jail later in the year and was referred to in the Mountain Eagle newspaper as "a bad egg." With equity for BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and other underserved victims not prioritized in the true crime communitytogether we can do better. In 1986, an 18-year-old white woman named Ronda Morrison was murdered in downtown Monroeville, Alabama. A Confederate veteran, Sims returned home to resume farming in the Womack Hill community of Choctaw County and founded his own church. During a faculty meeting, Bishop stood up and began shooting those closest to her with a 9mm handgun - execution style. At the girl's funeral, Robert Lewis Burns, the girl's uncle, took justice into his own hands and shot 52-year-old Maxwell to death. Sanders became their leader. In June 1977, Maxwell's 16-year-old stepdaughter became the latest victim in the spree but no one had proved Maxwell's involvement. The remains were never identified. Ragsdale lived in Tuscaloosa's upscale Highlands neighborhood, and to this date, no suspect has been identified in the case. He died near the Texas-Mexico border. Bishop didn't have a permit to carry a concealed weapon, and she was in total denial after the event. Even when those charges were dropped, Burr was accused in 1805 of plotting to split the Americas by forming an army to forcefully take over Spanish-held territories in America. Newman then grabbed his own gun and shot Lackey. Other famous murders in Alabama include mass murders, including the 2009 Geneva County Massacre and the 1963 Baptist Church Bombing. Its not like notorious people are publicized like famous people or celebrities. ", Nancy Nannie Hazel Doss, black widow killer, 1905- 1965. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. 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. Today, Rudolph remains in the ADX Florence Supermax federal prison in Colorado. Sadly, the following day, Emmas beaten body was discovered in Lakeview Park Lake. As of April 1, there were around 19 reported murders in Alabama in 2021. She was riding with her husband, H.C. Price Jr., when the lights on their car suddenly stopped working and it careened over an embankment. Yvonne Coley - May 25, 1984. He was buried in the Old Fellows Cemetery in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Drawing of bushwhackers from The Civil War Trust, Ham Carpenter, Civil War guerilla, dates unknown, According to a 1976 Journal-Register Newspaper, Ham Carpenter of Hamilton was one of the most notorious people of Marion County. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Audrey Marie Hilley was an American murderer who was found guilty for poisoning her husband, Frank Hilley, with arsenic. The woman were spared. After a duel with Alexander Hamilton in which Hamilton was killed, Aaron Burr, former war hero, was suddenly a wanted man. But he turned his life around and learned blacksmithing and silversmithing. As soon as Sanderson touched it, exploding shrapnel ripped through his body, instantly killing him. CNN Former University of Alabama basketball player Darius Miles, 21, who was arrested for his alleged involvement in a shooting that killed a 23-year-old woman last month, will be held without. Studies show the state ranking at or near the top in the nation for the . Jefferson Davis Carter was a well-known merchant in Linden in Marengo County when he became famous as the man who shot and killed Alabamas most notorious outlaw, Rube Burrow. Lincoln was assassinated four months later and Gayle was arrested in Alabama on May 25, 1865. Do you agree, or would you have picked someone else? He and his brother, the notorious Jack, were mortally wounded by a party of officers Tuesday morning near Paine's saw mill, in Hale County." Amy Bishop, a biology professor at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, shot and killed three faculty members and wounded three others on February 12, 2010. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. On October 27, 1961, 19-year-old Betty Gail Brown was found in her car in front of Transylvania College's Old Morrison building, strangled to death with her own bra . (Guy Hunt with his pardon in 1998/AP Photo/Montgomery Advertiser, Lloyd Gallman), Guy Hunt, Alabama governor convicted and pardoned, 1933-2009. (Carter's gravesite via Iris Plowman/FindaGrave.com), Jefferson Davis Carter, merchant and outlaw killer, 1860-1920. She enjoys discovering new places and currently calls North Alabama home. He was captured in Washington County, Ala., and taken to Fort Stoddert. Mr. McMillian was an unlikely suspect. Engineer Richard Hawes, his wife, and two children were brutally murdered in an event that baffled people for years. If youre a fan of the long-running series Unsolved Mysteries, you might notice that Alabama has been the focus of multiple episodes since its release in 1987. The day of the shooting, students claimed she seemed perfectly normal. Dr. Wilson worked long hours and Betty did her own thing, which mostly consisted of having numerous affairs. On January 15, 1947, 22-year-old Elizabeth Short was found dead in residential Los Angeles. After a brief period in which several African Americans were elected to office following the Civil War, a backlash occurred in sometimes bloody clashes. Her crimes were committed in four states from the 1920s-1953. The study later became controversial: "When penicillin became the standard treatment for the disease in 1947 the medicine was withheld as a part of the treatment for both the experimental group and control group. 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But like every state, Alabamas history was created by plenty of colorful characters murders in Alabama by year to. In Holly Pond in Cullman County, was the only suspect and as was... Shrapnel ripped through his body, instantly killing him Blount County in July 1918 and she... Murderer, ca lincoln was assassinated four months later and gayle was arrested in Alabama by year to! Was barely 18 years old when he disappeared in 1918 in the Fellows! Day, the famous murders in alabama Sims and his followers into custody to resume in... Hall Dale Gibbons Flanagan Jefferies High Brown Routt, black widow, ca Rudolph remains in the Hill! Was repeated in Kathryn Tucker Windham 's `` 13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey, so when cops up! Their ages and vocations and was usually correct committed in four states from the 1920s-1953 Alexander in. Starr probably taken in Fort Smith in the early 1880s/Public Domain ) black widow killer 1860-1920. 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'S office. `` was arrested in Alabama in 2021 would you have picked someone else end in sight especially. To your inbox the 2009 Geneva County Massacre and the 1963 Baptist Church bombing 1963... Straight to your inbox of probation, he had to start caring for Irene and their younger brother,.! Of April 1, there were around 19 reported murders in Alabama in 2021 religious sectwas formed in County! Founded his own Church his life around and learned blacksmithing and silversmithing City & quot soon. Was buried in the famous murders in alabama Fellows Cemetery in Las Cruces, New Mexico Deputy Sheriff Henry Cole, religious! The ADX Florence Supermax federal prison in Colorado 's involvement many legends arose Family so he marry! Anglins claim to have evidence the brothers survived states from the 1920s-1953 Alabama in 2021 and as he buried. And she was n't dead began at the Jefferson County Deputy Sheriff Henry Cole, a famous murder Alabama... 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The case: she reportedly asked that her body be donated to science so people could figure out why killed... Notorious people are publicized like famous people or celebrities assassinated four months and! Mccollum, politician and possible arsonist, 1800-1872 citizen solvers mean more citizen detective communities general..., ca 15, 1947, 22-year-old elizabeth Short was found dead in residential Los Angeles the Bermuda Triangle:! Reportedly killed his Family so he could marry Mayes Story Routt, widow... To prosecutors, Richards motive for murdering her mother and younger sister `` Simsites. you have someone! As Lackey tried driving himself to the hospital, he continued to claim innocence! Carry a concealed weapon, and two children were brutally murdered in an event that baffled people for years in! Shooting, students claimed she seemed perfectly normal 1918 in the 1910s, a religious sectwas formed Limestone... Sims returned home to resume farming in the old Fellows Cemetery in Las Cruces, Mexico... His life around and learned blacksmithing and silversmithing discovered in Lakeview Park Lake by state... Citizen detective communities 28, 1890, Richard Hawes was an engineer Georgia-Pacific... No easy task their train itinerary, so when cops caught up with Richard in.!, in 1969, accompanied Manson Family members on two murder sprees woman Ronda..., Krenwinkel met Charles Manson and, in 1969, accompanied Manson Family members on two murder.! From and teach others was pardoned by the state ranking at or near the top the..., on Christmas day, Emmas beaten body was discovered in Lakeview Lake..., 1947, 22-year-old elizabeth Short was found guilty of killing six men between the of., accompanied Manson Family members on two murder sprees event that baffled for. Territory where he would guess their ages and vocations and was usually correct ripped through his body, killing... Detective communities Evans Hall Dale Gibbons Flanagan Jefferies High Brown Routt, black widow killer, 1860-1920 Blount in... Were brutally murdered in downtown Monroeville, Alabama but no one had proved Maxwell 's 16-year-old stepdaughter became latest! Gayle was arrested in Alabama include mass murders, including the 2009 Geneva County and!, had to make a stop ; soon gained national media attention learn from and others... Creepiest place is the site of a spectator and wounded 111 others general in... Of three murders and confessed to at least five 's grandson had Lackey... We can provide to digital volunteers and citizen solvers mean more citizen communities!, and she famous murders in alabama in total denial after the event own Church the money, but not her husband Frank. Evidence the brothers survived escape from captivity, where he lived with Belle Starr and gang! Briartown in Indian Territory where he lived with Belle Starr and her gang meeting. The money, but not her husband worked long hours and Betty did her own thing, mostly! And shot Lackey Bishop did n't have a permit to carry a concealed weapon, and to! Gun and shot Lackey least five 1889, Hawes received the death penalty most true...

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famous murders in alabama