On the afternoon of 12th March 2004, in a rough part of Fresno, California, officers were dispatched to a small blue house at 761 W. Hammond Ave. The call concerned a child custody dispute that had escalated into violence. Among the officers responding was Escareno. Two women, backed by a large group of supporters, were demanding the return of their young children, but the occupants of the house, many in number, refused to ... View more
TRUE CRIME
Rogues, Rascals, and Nicknames: The Curious Case of Newcastle’s Forgotten Mugshot Book
This book of mugshots was found in a Newcastle junk shop and was preserved by the Tyne and Wear Archives & Museums. They were most likely used by the police to. scroll through after someone got robbed and they were looking for a culprit that had the same modus operandi. Among the rogues’ gallery, you’ll find characters like “Fatty Potter” and John Gallagher who's description has had the 's' from "eyes" crossed out ... View more
Ellsworth ‘Bumpy’ Johnson: Harlem’s Most Notorious Godfather and His Ties to the Mob
Ellsworth 'Bumpy' Johnson is one of those names that loom large in Harlem’s history. Not just a gangster but also a poet, a philanthropist, and a talented chess player, Bumpy was as much a part of Harlem’s culture as its nightlife and jazz clubs. Born on 31 October in either 1905 or 1906 in Charleston, South Carolina, Bumpy’s childhood wasn’t easy. His family moved him to New York at age 13 after his older brother, Willie, was ... View more
The Chilling Tale of Nannie Doss: The Giggling Granny and the Dark Side of Domesticity
Nanny after a court appearance Nannie Doss, born Nancy Hazle, presents one of the most notorious cases of hidden violence under a mask of domestic normalcy. Known by nicknames such as the “Giggling Granny,” “Lonely Hearts Killer,” “Black Widow,” and “Lady Blue Beard,” Doss was the epitome of a typical mother and grandmother—always smiling, soft-spoken, and kind-hearted, or so it seemed. Yet, her kindly exterior masked ... View more
The Sinister Double Life of Dr. Glennon Engleman: From Dentist to Contract Killer
Dr. Glennon Engleman might have looked like any other neighbourhood dentist, but behind that ordinary exterior was one of Missouri’s most calculating killers. Born on February 6, 1927, in Saint Louis, Missouri, Engleman, known as Glen to his friends, grew up in a south-side neighbourhood and felt deeply connected to his community. After serving in the military, he used the GI Bill to attend Washington University and become a ... View more
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