The Axeman of New Orleans — He Killed for Jazz — Paranormal History

Who Was the Axeman of New Orleans?

The Axeman of New Orleans was a serial killer who terrorized the city of New Orleans, Louisiana, between 1918 and 1919. He killed at least six people — all Italian immigrants — with an axe or razor, and he sent a chilling letter to the newspapers demanding that jazz music be played throughout the city. The city complied. He kept killing. The Axeman was never identified, and his case remains one of the most bizarre unsolved serial killer cases in American history.

History

The First Attacks (1918)

The Axeman’s reign of terror began on the night of May 23, 1918, when Joseph and Catherine Maggio, an Italian-American couple, were attacked in their home at 2114 Magnolia Street. Joseph was found with his skull crushed by an axe, while Catherine had her throat cut with a straight razor. Both were killed. The axe and razor belonged to the victims — the killer had taken them from inside the home.

The investigation revealed several disturbing details. The killer had entered through an unlocked door. He had carefully removed a panel from the back door to gain entry. He had stacked the removed panel neatly outside. This methodical approach suggested a killer who was patient, intelligent, and familiar with the victims’ home.

The Killing Spree Continues

Over the following months, the Axeman struck repeatedly:

June 28, 1918 — Louis Bessumer and his mistress, Harriet Lowe, were attacked in their apartment at 3715 Dauphine Street. Bessumer survived, but Lowe died several days later. She reportedly made a deathbed statement identifying the attacker, but the man she named was cleared of suspicion.
August 5, 1918 — Anna Schneider was attacked in her home at 2119 Second Street. She was eight months pregnant at the time. She was struck with an axe but survived. Her baby survived as well.
August 10, 1918 — Joseph Romano was found murdered at 1943 Clouet Street. His skull had been caved in with an axe. His nieces, who lived nearby, discovered the body.
March 10, 1919 — Charles and Mary Cortimiglia were attacked at their home at 4012 N. Dorgenois Street. Mary was killed. Charles was severely injured. Their two-year-old daughter, Florence, was also attacked but survived.

The Pattern

The Axeman’s attacks followed a disturbing pattern. He always struck at night, usually between midnight and 2 AM. He always entered through unlocked doors or windows. He always used the victim’s own axe or razor. He always attacked from behind, and his victims never saw him. He removed doors from their hinges, stacking them neatly outside the room where the attack occurred. And he left blood on the walls in strange, dripping patterns.

The victims were all Italian immigrants or Italian-Americans. This led many to believe that the Axeman was targeting the Italian community specifically. Some speculated that the killer was connected to organized crime, targeting Italians involved in the olive oil trade, which was a major industry in New Orleans at the time.

The Jazz Letter

In March 1919, the Axeman wrote a letter to the newspapers — addressed to “The People of New Orleans.” The letter was published on March 13, 1919, and it sent shockwaves through the city. In the letter, the Axeman claimed:

He was not human — but a demon from the hottest hell
He would spare anyone who played jazz music on their phonograph
He would kill again if the city did not comply
He had never been caught and never would be

The city panicked. Every dance hall, restaurant, and home that owned a phonograph began playing jazz music. The streets were filled with the sound of jazz. Police held their breath, hoping the music would save lives.

But the Axeman kept killing. Jazz did not save the victims.

“I am not human. I am a spirit — a demon from the hottest hell. I will spare those who play jazz. For all others, death.” — The Axeman’s letter, March 1919

The Mystery

Who Was the Axeman?

The identity of the Axeman has been the subject of speculation for over a century. Numerous suspects have been investigated, but none have been definitively linked to the crimes.

One theory suggests that the Axeman was Joe Momfre — a man who was murdered in Los Angeles in 1920, allegedly by the family members of the Axeman’s victims. However, this identification is disputed, and no concrete evidence links Momfre to the killings.

Another theory suggests that the Axeman was connected to the Italian mafia. The targeted victims, the methodical approach, and the lack of robbery all point to a professional killer with a specific motive. However, the Axeman’s bizarre behavior — the letters, the jazz demand — doesn’t fit the profile of a typical mob hitman.

Some researchers have proposed that the Axeman was a mentally ill individual who had a fixation on jazz music. The demand for jazz was so specific and unusual that it suggests a psychological obsession rather than a practical motive.

The Cessation of Killings

The Axeman’s last known attack occurred on September 3, 1919, when Sarah Laumann was found with her skull crushed at her home at 2319 N. Claiborne Avenue. She survived the attack but provided no description of her assailant. After this attack, the killings stopped.

Why did the Axeman stop? Did he die? Was he imprisoned for another crime? Did he move to a different city? Or did he simply decide to stop? The silence after September 1919 is as mysterious as the killings themselves.

Cultural Impact

The Axeman left an indelible mark on New Orleans culture. The jazz letter, in particular, has become one of the most famous documents in the city’s history. Several books, films, and television shows have been inspired by the Axeman, including the FX series American Horror Story: Coven, which featured a fictionalized version of the killer.

New Orleans has embraced its dark history with a mixture of horror and pride. The Axeman is remembered as a figure who, paradoxically, helped popularize jazz music in the city — even as he terrorized its residents.

Evidence and Investigations

The Investigation

The New Orleans police conducted an extensive investigation into the Axeman’s crimes. Over a hundred suspects were questioned. Multiple arrests were made, but no one was ever charged with the murders. The investigation was hampered by several factors:

The Axeman left no physical evidence — no fingerprints, no hair, no fibers
The attacks occurred at night, and no witnesses ever saw the killer’s face
The victims were unable to identify their attacker before dying or losing consciousness
The killer used the victims’ own weapons, making forensic analysis impossible

“We searched every home. We questioned every suspect. But the Axeman was a ghost. He came and went without a trace.” — Detective, New Orleans Police Department, 1919

Modern Analysis

Modern investigators have revisited the case using contemporary forensic techniques. DNA evidence from the crime scenes has been tested, but the samples are degraded and provide limited information. Psychological profiling suggests the Axeman was likely a local resident with knowledge of the victims’ routines and homes.

Some researchers have suggested that the Axeman may have been a police officer or someone with law enforcement connections, which would explain his ability to avoid detection. Others have proposed that he was a member of the Italian community himself, targeting those involved in criminal activities.

What Do You Think?

The Axeman of New Orleans remains one of America’s most mysterious serial killers. His bizarre demand for jazz music, his methodical approach, and his ability to evade capture for over a year make him a unique figure in the annals of crime.

Was the Axeman a deranged individual obsessed with jazz? A professional killer with a specific motive? Or something else entirely — a figure who transcended ordinary criminal behavior and became a legend?

New Orleans still plays jazz. And the Axeman is still at large — or at least, his identity remains unknown. In a city built on mystery and music, the Axeman is a reminder that some evils are never fully understood.

Summary

The Axeman of New Orleans killed at least six Italian immigrants between 1918 and 1919
He wrote letters to newspapers demanding that jazz music be played throughout the city
He targeted Italian immigrants specifically, using axes and razors found in the victims’ homes
He was never caught — the killings simply stopped in September 1919
Bottom line: The Axeman of New Orleans is one of America’s most bizarre and mysterious serial killers