June 14, 1962

Police Find First Victim of "Boston Strangler"

Region:
Greater Boston
Themes:

On this day in 1962, police discovered the body of the first victim of the "Boston Strangler." For the next two years, Boston would be paralyzed by fear as the strangling deaths of 13 women went unsolved. Single women took turns staying with one another and were anxious about going out alone, even in the daytime. When construction worker Albert DeSalvo confessed to the killings in March of 1965, the city breathed a sigh of relief. But shortly after being sentenced to life in prison, DeSalvo escaped. He was recaptured the next day after a massive manhunt. DeSalvo died in prison in 1973, after he had recanted his confession. Doubts persist as to whether he was in fact the real "Boston Strangler."

Themes:

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