The Boston Strangler: Fear and Mystery in 1960s Boston

Between 1962 and 1964, the city of Boston was gripped by fear as a series of brutal murders terrorized its residents. Eleven women, ranging in age from 19 to 85, were sexually assaulted and strangled in their own homes. The killer, who became known as the Boston Strangler, left no signs of forced entry, suggesting that his victims had willingly let him into their apartments. The crimes were marked by a chilling ritual: the victims were often posed in degrading positions, with ligatures tied in decorative bows around their necks. The city was paralyzed with fear, and the police were under immense pressure to catch the killer.

A Troubled Childhood Albert DeSalvo was born in 1931 in Chelsea, Massachusetts, a working-class neighborhood on the outskirts of Boston. He was one of six children in a family marked by violence and abuse. His father, Frank DeSalvo, was a brutal man who regularly beat his wife and children. Frank’s abuse was not limited to physical violence; he also exposed his children to his extramarital affairs, bringing prostitutes into the family home and forcing his wife to leave the bedroom. Albert’s younger brother, Richard, recalled the horrific abuse they endured, including an incident where their father broke their mother’s fingers one by one in front of the children.

Albert’s early exposure to violence and sexual deviance had a profound impact on him. By the age of five, his father had already taught him how to break into homes, and by seven, he had been introduced to sex in a deeply inappropriate manner. These early experiences warped Albert’s understanding of relationships, masculinity, and power. As one psychologist noted, “We are dealing with almost classic examples of a child being socialized into male violence.”

A Life of Crime Albert’s troubled childhood set the stage for a life of crime. At the age of 12, he was arrested for breaking and entering and sent to the Lyman School for Boys, a reform school known for its harsh conditions. There, Albert learned to survive in a violent environment, further reinforcing the lessons he had learned at home. After his release, he joined the Army and was stationed in Germany, where he developed a voracious appetite for sex. He later claimed to have had intercourse with over 2,000 women during his time in the military.

Upon returning to the United States, Albert married a German woman named Irmgard Beck, and the couple settled in Massachusetts. However, Albert’s criminal behavior continued. In 1955, he was arrested for sexually assaulting a nine-year-old girl, though the charges were eventually dropped when the victim’s mother decided not to pursue the case. Despite this brush with the law, Albert continued to commit crimes, including a series of break-ins and sexual assaults that earned him the nickname “The Measuring Man”.

The Measuring Man and the Green Man In the early 1960s, Albert DeSalvo began a new crime spree, posing as a talent scout for a modeling agency. He would knock on women’s doors, claiming to be looking for models with specific measurements. Once inside, he would convince the women to undress, often leading to sexual assault. While some women reported the assaults, others did not, and Albert managed to evade capture for some time.

The first known victim, 55-year-old Anna Slesers, was found strangled with her bathrobe belt on June 14, 1962. Just weeks later, 85-year-old Mary Mullen suffered a fatal heart attack, likely triggered by an attempted attack. The killings continued with Nina Nichols (68) and Helen Blake (65), both murdered on June 30, 1962, with Blake also suffering sexual assault. Ida Irga (75) and Jane Sullivan (67) were found strangled in August. The pattern shifted with 20-year-old Sophie Clark, murdered on December 5, 1962, followed by 23-year-old Patricia Bissette, who was killed while pregnant on December 31. In 1963, the terror persisted with Mary Brown (69) in March, Beverly Samans (23) in May—who was also stabbed multiple times—Evelyn Corbin (58) in September, and Joan Graff (23) in November. The final known victim, 19-year-old Mary Sullivan, was murdered on January 4, 1964, and decades later, DNA evidence linked her death to Albert DeSalvo.

In 1964, Albert was arrested for a series of break-ins and sexual assaults committed while wearing green workman’s clothes. He became known as “The Green Man” and was eventually sent to the Bridgewater State Hospital for the criminally insane. It was during his time at Bridgewater that Albert made a shocking confession: he claimed to be the Boston Strangler.

Caught at Last Albert DeSalvo’s arrest was not initially linked to the Boston Strangler murders. Instead, he was apprehended after a woman escaped his assault and provided police with a description of her attacker. This led to his capture in connection with the “Green Man” rapes. While in custody, Albert was placed at Bridgewater State Hospital, where he befriended George Nassar, a fellow inmate with a violent past. Nassar introduced Albert to his lawyer, F. Lee Bailey, who later became famous for defending high-profile clients. DeSalvo confessed to being the Boston Strangler while at Bridgewater, providing details of the murders that seemed too accurate to dismiss. His confession was not given to the police directly but instead relayed through his lawyer, sparking controversy. Since no physical evidence linked him to the crimes, and he was never formally charged with the Strangler murders, many skeptics questioned whether his confession was genuine or a bid for notoriety and a potential book deal. Regardless of the truth, Albert DeSalvo’s name became forever tied to the infamous case.

The Confession Albert’s confession was detailed and chilling. He described each murder in vivid detail, including the layout of the victims’ apartments and the specific ways he had posed their bodies. He even confessed to a murder that had never been reported, claiming that an elderly woman had died of fright during an attempted assault. His confession was so convincing that many investigators believed he was indeed the Boston Strangler.

However, there were problems with Albert’s confession. There was no physical evidence linking him to the crimes, and some of the details he provided could have been gleaned from newspaper reports or police leaks. Additionally, Albert had a history of making false claims, including an earlier confession to being a serial rapist known as “The Green Man.” Some, including Albert’s brother Richard, believe that he confessed to the Boston Strangler murders in the hopes of securing a book or movie deal.

The Trial and Death of Albert DeSalvo Albert DeSalvo was never tried for the Boston Strangler murders. Instead, he was convicted of a series of sexual assaults and sentenced to life in prison. In 1973, while serving his sentence, Albert was found stabbed to death in his cell. No one was ever convicted of his murder, and the case remains unsolved.