Louisiana is no stranger to horrific crimes. Here are some of the most memorable homicides, murderers, and serial killers that ever set foot in Louisiana.
1) Robert Lee Willie
Mr. Willie was convicted and executed in 1984 for the kidnap, rape, and murder of 18-year-old Faith Hathaway. During his time on death row, Sister Helen Prejan became his spiritual adviser, and her relationship with Mr. Willie and another death row prisoner, Elmo Patrick Sonnier, was eventually dramatized in the 1995 film Dead Man Walking.
2) The Robert Charles Riots
At the turn of the century, an African-american laborer named Robert Charles shot a white police officer. Police began a large-scale manhunt which eventually led to a race riot, ending in 28 people dead, including Charles.
3) Dr. Etienne Deschamps
In 1892, this dentist was hanged for murdering a 12-year-old girl by giving her an overdose of Chloroform after sexually assaulting her.
4) Zack Bowen
A couple that had some notoriety after riding out Katrina in the French quarter, this Iraq War veteran committed suicide after strangling his girlfriend Addie Hall, dismembering her body, and cooking it on the stove.
5) The Axeman
Never caught or identified, the Axeman attacked at least 12 victims, indicated on this map, with an axe over a period in the early 20th century in New Orleans and the surrounding areas. There are a variety of theories about the Axeman’s identity, including potential mafia ties.
6) Mark James Robert Essex
In January of 1973, Mr. Essex entered the Downtown Howard Johnson’s Motor Lodge and began sniping from the roof the hotel. He killed 9 people and wounded 13 others before being taken out by sharpshooters.
7) The Bayou Serial Killer
Ronald Joseph Dominique is one of the most notorious serial killers in Louisiana. In 2008, he was convicted of murdering 8 men, aged between 16-46, over a 9-year period, but he is suspected in over 20 crimes.
8) Clementine Barnabet
In 1912, Ms. Barnabet confessed to killing 17 people as part of her devotion to The Church of the Sacrifice, a bizarre religious cult that was eventually found to have killed 7 entire families.
All of these horrific crimes really make my spine tingle! Do you remember when any of these crimes happened? Discuss in the comments below!
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