In the Wake of the Butcher: Cleveland's Torso Murders

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Overview

"This is the first detailed, book-length examination of the horrific "Torso Murders" that haunted Cleveland from 1934 to 1938. A frightened city turned to its safety director, the legendary Eliot Ness, who focused more energy and manpower on this investigation than any previous police action in Cleveland. But the killer, who left the corpses of at least twelve victims in and around the Kingsbury Run area of Cleveland, was never arrested or even officially identified." "In the Wake of the Butcher is based on police reports, autopsy protocols,
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In the Wake of the Butcher: Cleveland's Torso Murders

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Overview

"This is the first detailed, book-length examination of the horrific "Torso Murders" that haunted Cleveland from 1934 to 1938. A frightened city turned to its safety director, the legendary Eliot Ness, who focused more energy and manpower on this investigation than any previous police action in Cleveland. But the killer, who left the corpses of at least twelve victims in and around the Kingsbury Run area of Cleveland, was never arrested or even officially identified." "In the Wake of the Butcher is based on police reports, autopsy protocols, personal interviews with the descendants of victims and investigators, and unpublished manuscripts and is illustrated with maps, rare crime scene and morgue photographs, and newspaper photos. The author dispels some long-held rumors about the crimes and confirms others. In the Wake of the Butcher presents its compelling case and leaves readers to come to their own conclusions about the notorious Cleveland murders."--BOOK JACKET.
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Editorial Reviews

Library Journal
"Floating down the river, chunk by chunk by chunk/ Arms and legs and torsos, hunk by hunk by hunk!" goes the jingle that terrorized Cleveland from 1934 to 1938, when 12 known victims were found dismembered. The book's protagonist is Chief Investigator Peter Merylo, who was assigned to this case in 1936, stayed on it until he retired in 1943, and continued to maintain an interest in it until his death in 1958. Unlike today, policemen then were allowed to keep case files they worked on during their career. Hence, the files were in the possession of Merylo's daughter, who made them available to Badal (English, Cuyahoga Community Coll.). Elliot Ness, the man who put Capone and his men behind bars, was separately assigned to the case but could not crack it, which tarnished his reputation and started a downward tailspin from which he never recovered. The culprit was never apprehended, but Badal provides the readers with possible suspects without ever concluding who the real killer was. This is a well-researched book on a subject that remains a haunting mystery in Cleveland to this day. Readers should beware, however, as it contains very graphic photographs. For all true-crime collections. Michael Sawyer, Northwestern Regional Lib., Elkin, NC Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780873386890
  • Publisher: Kent State University Press
  • Publication date: 3/26/2001
  • Edition description: New Edition
  • Pages: 255
  • Sales rank: 596,538
  • Product dimensions: 6.01 (w) x 9.10 (h) x 0.68 (d)

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Introduction 1
September 5, 1934: The Lady of the Lake 22
September 23, 1935: Double Murder 29
January 26, 1936: A Frozen Corpse 49
June 5, 1936: The Decapitated Tattooed Man 60
July 22, 1936: Murder without a Clue 69
September 10, 1936: Circus at a Stagnant Pool 75
Cleveland's Shame 86
February 23, 1937: A Second Lady of the Lake 103
June 6, 1937: Bones in a Burlap Bag 111
July 6, 1937: Savagery along the Cuyahoga 117
April 8, 1938: Drugs and the Maiden 126
August 16, 1938: Double Murder Again? 134
August 18, 1938: A Descent into Hell 145
1939-1943: Murder, Mutilation, and Mayhem 151
July 22, 1950: An Echo from the Past 161
Portrait of a Killer 166
Suspects 175
Epilogue 239
Maps 243
Bibliography 248
Index 250
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Sort by: Showing all of 4 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted September 7, 2006

    Fascinating, Grisly, Compelling Writing

    As a criminal history buff, I'd heard and read the very little available on this case. Which is surprising considering I grew up in the area. It's Cleveland's dark secret, and the setting verifies that darkness and erieness. Reading and studying this well researched case/book cleared up some items I thought were a given on the case in my mind. Mr. Badal's writing makes the gruesome reading palatable and he injects character into those involved, rather than just a dry recitation.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted April 24, 2006

    Creepy

    I read a lot of true crime books, and this is the only one that has ever really creeped me out. The setting is so creepy...the Hobo jungles, Depression-era Cleveland...a must-read for any ture crime buff or Clevelander interested in local history.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 22, 2005

    Horrifyingly True Investigation of the Crimes that Rocked Cleveland in the 1930's

    This book is a must read for any true crime detective slouth who enjoys good investigative journalism. The timeline was right on point and kept you captivated from beginning to end. Although somewhat graphic in nature, the photos were excellently refinished and preserved for clarity. The writer also delved into the backgrounds of the victims unlike a lot of true crime novels which concentrate mostly on the 'who-dunit' aspect of the crimes. The writer acts more like a crimonologist than an investigative reporter in that he offers possible scenarios for how and when the crimes took place based upon the forensic evidence. I would defintely recommend this book to anyone interested in the macabre.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 6, 2010

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