The Axeman of New Orleans: The Killer Who Loved Jazz

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Source/Further reading:
www.legendsofamerica.com/la-a...
www.nola.com/entertainment_li....
www.neworleanspast.com/todayin...
books.google.ro/books?dq=june...
www.unsolvedcasebook.com/the-...
www.law.umich.edu/special/exo...
www.smithsonianmag.com/histor...
www.openculture.com/2018/10/s...
www.hnoc.org/mysterious-axman...
www.mentalfloss.com/article/8...
www.buzzfeed.com/unsolvednote...
web.archive.org/web/200808131...

[@Biographics]

Check out Squarespace: squarespace.com/BIOGRAPHICS for 10% off on your first purchase.

[@clintstewart5545]

more serial killer videos please

[@natedcarr6148]

This comment has been brought to you by Air. Everyone breathes it. You need it. Come on down and breathe in your quality air today!

[@mathewdean3334]

Can we get a video on germanicus the father of Caligula

[@anthonymanderson7671]

Do the video biography about Kenneth Kaunda

[@UnpluggedClipsTV]

You should get sponsored by @TeddyStratford shirts

[@Lolfire]

The axeman was just a ploy by jazz companies to sell more jazz.

[@scarletbard6511]

The Axeman of New Orleans: The only person to enjoy the "Ya like jazz?" joke from the Bee Movie.

[@WhySoSquid]

I..didn't know that was from a movie? I thought it was from a Neely.

[@monsieurlefrog8706]

@@WhySoSquid this fella

[@andreapitre1978]

You weren't there man.

[@lauriemoon7543]

I thought everybody liked that joke, right...guys?

[@gigantesygo2196]

Master piece of a movie Jerry Seinfeld finest

[@rhonnichan]

Born and raised New Orleanean this story never gets old I hope you also cover The Casket Girls of New Orleans

[@christineparis5607]

WHAT is the casket girls???

[@trent3872]

What is that? Come on, dont leave us hanging.

[@fabrisseterbrugghe8567]

@@trent3872 Stephanie Harlow has an episode on the casket girls.

[@trent3872]

Never mind I googled.

[@rhonnichan]

@@fabrisseterbrugghe8567 yes she's an amazing true crime youtuber one of my all time favs

[@KaijuRamen54]

I have a (not very interesting) connection with this case. My ancestor was the surgeon who treated the surviving victims in hospital. 🙂

[@christineparis5607]

I think its interesting!! Do you have any family info on the crimes?

[@KaijuRamen54]

@@christineparis5607 Nope. The only thing I have are newspaper clippings mentioning him as the head surgeon who worked on the victims who survived the attacks.

[@christineparis5607]

@@KaijuRamen54 I see. It's still very interesting. I can't imagine being a surgeon in those days....

[@MrDerekkline]

I would say that is interesting!!

[@blitzofchaosgaming6737]

So your family is from Nawlins , but you say "in hospital" not "in the hospital"? I'm sorry but that doesn't add up.

[@ignitionfrn2223]

1:40 - Chapter 1 - The Maggios 3:55 - Chapter 2 - 1st suspect...and more to come 5:45 - Chapter 3 - Besumer & love 8:20 - Mid roll ads 9:35 - Chapter 4 - The attacks continues 11:40 - Chapter 5 - A trip to gretna 14:15 - Chapter 6 - The axeman jazz 16:30 - Chapter 7 - Final attacks

[@danielstarr9037]

I love people like you

[@questlog9133]

Lmao I love that mid-roll ads is on the time line

[@rfrancoi]

Thank you kind person. :-)

[@kajenbop]

What, actually, was the point though?

[@markkarasik2211]

😎 Uh, ‘cause he enjoyed doing it and others of us enjoyed his doing it? We’re all here ‘cause we ain’t all here!

[@frostyaces4103]

So weird he never finished his kills and left time for the victim to potentially say what the killer looked like

[@Bluesit32]

Perhaps he wore a mask? I mean, the only identifying thing a witness mentioned was that he wasn't black.

[@quaasar1247]

I'm actually from Gretna, Louisiana! The real funny thing is that my great grandparents were Italian grocers in Gretna, but I can't find any evidence of their store open during the axeman's crime spree.

[@master-kq3nw]

maybe he targeting other people

[@fleezyp]

I can’t imagine the pain of being alive after taking an axe to the head..

[@AsimpleDeaTH]

Puts the “I used to be an adventurer like you until I took an arrow to the knee” to a very sad level.

[@fleezyp]

@@AsimpleDeaTH lmfao 🤣

[@jrwgss1971]

No kidding. Worst I ever heard was a friend's grandfather got caught on a fast moving conveyor that led to a giant blade used to chop sugarcane. He had to watch and endure being chopped up every 6" until it got to his head.

[@AsimpleDeaTH]

@@jrwgss1971 he would have died from shock well before that

[@jrwgss1971]

@@AsimpleDeaTH the distance from your hand to your head isn't much, he was drug by his long sleeve shirt initially. 1st chop above the wrist, within 2-3 chops it was at his head. According to the people at the factory (Imperial Sugar in Sugarland, TX) they heard the screams for help for a few seconds, until it reached his head of course. No matter, gruesome way to go.

[@winnerxl3000]

I heard the killer is described as a bald British man with beard, and wearing a dress shirt (top button unbuttoned) while he speaks to a camera.

[@uncle8658]

British vsauce

[@sarahdunworth9989]

1 man, 1 axe.

[@Sinn0100]

Jack The Ripper? ;)

[@catarinahenriques2011]

😄😄

[@p0w3rpu77y]

A Spring break choked out with Axe bodyspray

[@Kadeo-ms6qw]

The axeman was surprising eloquent in speech. Usually the serial killers notes are the ravings of madmen.

[@EvoluteCreator]

To me, he came across less like someone who is naturally verbose and more like someone who wanted to show off shallow eloquence

[@LemurDreamer87]

It does lead weight to the idea that the Axeman didn't write that letter. It would hardly be the first or the last time a paper printed a fake letter to drum up publicity.

[@dseray9494]

@@LemurDreamer87 or someone pretended to be a serial killer

[@kenzieuchiha1191]

Have you ever heard of Black Bart? He was quite well versed and poetic despite being a criminal.

[@gunman462]

There are conspiracies that say the axeman was a group who targeted the Italian community. If it was a misdirection it makes sense that the letters weren't incoherent.

[@bobfg3130]

Some of these serial killers eventually find people they can't take down...and get killed by them.

[@turtleanton6539]

This is true

[@artemisarrow179]

It’s always a good day to see a new Biographics episode posted 13 minutes ago

[@JFromLA99]

Just woke up at 3 30 am saw my notification an knew as well

[@chickenfate5235]

Finally! Do you know how long I’ve been searching for info on this guy? Long enough to where I can safely say I’m sending this from hell.

[@brianbarrett2487]

He's so mysterious and unknown that it was used as a character on HBO :/

[@garykuhn1921]

@@brianbarrett2487 also AHS Coven. Season 3.

[@RetcoNz]

It's amazing how hard it seems to be to kill someone with an axe. I always would have thought one blow to the head would just instantly turn the lights off.

[@bezllama3325]

Same

[@philiptucker7590]

Imagine forgetting to put Jazz music on and suddenly remembering right before bed….So you go to turn the Jazz on and then proceed to shut all the windows in your house... Just when you go to shut the very last window, you look outside and see a man with an axe in your front yard slowly turn around and casually walk away from your house….how terrifying would that have been 😱

[@ItalianCountryball11]

A-

[@jamestaylor5341]

That's some good creative writing.

[@jamestaylor5341]

That's some good creative writing.

[@elizabethford7263]

The more I watch your channels, the more I understand American Horror Story plots.

[@africanalchemist9165]

Only thing to understand about American horror story is that it is a terrible show that lacks any content.

[@mycoalx]

same

[@ryanfitch1334]

@@africanalchemist9165 im sorry to hear about your wrong opinion.

[@stephencooper7459]

@@africanalchemist9165 first 4, 5 seasons I loved it kinda went downhill after that 👍

[@gunman462]

I havent watched the series but I had the perception that it was based off real events or stories.

[@nesta8273]

I chosed this channel to watch rather then others because of two main things: 1. Real photos or an illustration of how it could have looked. I need visual, not just hearing about it. 5/5 2. Simon. I find him very easy to watch and listen to. 5/5

[@georgeluna5845]

Actually, the story passed down to me, the axe man was also a professional alto sax player. things got hot so he took a jig in a jazz band that went overseas. They were based in Paris till 1927. He may of still been with the band. But I bet if you look into French crime records, you might find some unsolved murders there too.

[@bezllama3325]

Huh really?

[@fredrikcarlstedt393]

Shane the Axeman och Ryan the Razor Boy : the Deranged Duo !

[@hiderz]

You better jazz it!

[@heathergarnham9555]

I'm a little sad the 'gator riding demon didn't rate a mention

[@anthonyhayes1267]

I specifically clicked on this to find the BU references

[@c.w.johnsonjr6374]

Finally, a major KZbin channel tackling one of the creepies of the great stories from my home state of Louisiana.

[@terranceolive6792]

My Mom being from Louisiana would tell us the Axman would get us if we misbehaved

[@gabbypavon04]

I love this song called "Axman Jazz (Don't Scare Me Papa)" by the Squirrel Nut Zippers. They play a lot of N.O. style jazz and I think I know where that song title comes from now.

[@josaking717]

YES! I ASKED FOR THIS A COUPLE MONTHS AGO SIMON YOU AWESOME S.O.B

[@brandyrose9997]

Hi Simon! Thanks for all of the quality content. You and team work your butts off.

[@josephrossi6775]

VIDEO SUGGESTION: Admiral Yi - Hero of the Korean Navy

[@nathanfox6388]

A good series on him was done by Extra Credits.

[@jamentrojcak2852]

Good suggestion

[@mcomish17]

An Age of Empires scholar I see.

[@jamesdreads7828]

yes, the guy was a legend. Great idea

[@FormerVicePresidentDickVeiny]

Admiral Shmee. Hero of Hook's ship

[@JohnDoe-vf2yo]

I never knew about this guy until I watched American Horror Story and researched where they got the idea for an axe murderer that loved jazz.

[@africanalchemist9165]

Terrible show, no content

[@JB-rl7hh]

Simon, very well written. One of your best. You've become very good at your trade. Thanks for your outstanding work.

[@scotmac5143]

I loved that episode Simon, keep it up mate, you're doing great. Love from Scotland.

[@DerptyDerptyDUM]

Oooooo, thanks guys!! This is a super interesting and overlooked story.

[@Plasticjesus504]

Born and raised in New Orleans. I still live in the city and I have never heard of this story. Thanks for this video and I have been a big fan of your work for a very long time.

[@HistoryOfRevolutions]

"The sole concern of learning is to seek one's original heart" - Mencius

[@twig8523]

"The meaning of life is to know thyself." -Socrates

[@Real_g.s.]

I'm from New Orleans, we have many homes that are still standing from that era. Why they don't give exact addresses is annoying as hell. Boggles my mind that someone chiseled or axed their way through doors without being heard. As many people lived *behind* their businesses, you would think someone would wake up.

[@williamvoorhees3888]

I bet the Axeman went on to teach creative writing at a local College after his murders

[@fabrisseterbrugghe8567]

I'd bet that teaching creative writing at a local college could drive him to becoming the Axeman.

[@MaryAnnNytowl]

I bet neither of you have ever written anything worth reading... including these comments. 🙄

[@younggodicarus]

@@MaryAnnNytowl you’re on the internet, calm down

[@xneurianx]

Please do a video on Sarah Kane. Wonderful playwrite, died far too young and the circumstances of her life, plays and death are extremely interesting. She deserves to be much more well-known and respected for the quality and quantity of work she produced in her tragically short life.

[@CowSaysMooMoo]

why don't YOU do one?

[@xneurianx]

@@CowSaysMooMoo Because Biographics has over 2 million followers and I have none. If I made a video about her people would have to search "Sarah Kane" to find it, which means those people would have to already know her, which wouldn't really be making her more well-known. A video from Simon would reach people who have no idea who she is, making her more well-known. Seems sort of obvious to me how those two things are very, very different.

[@tedjones3955]

I read a bit about this case from an old Crime book. It was only a mention of the crimes and dates they occurred on. I've looked for a Documentary on this and never did, until now! Thank you, Simon.

[@hashtag415]

In the first case the son was frightened by moans coming from his parents bedroom. I can totally relate.

[@SkipFrontzJr]

I ugly laughed.

[@codyclark8533]

it wasn't a son it was a brother

[@deonchua7642]

Yes I was recommending this and hey ! It’s here! Thanks Simon u legend!

[@martinlucas6004]

Shout out to all the boogaras and Shaniacs

[@stadbab]

eyyyy

[@kevez17]

I’m only here for razor boy

[@jonnnyren6245]

Halleluiah a being of culture you are I see.

[@adeletaylor6143]

I can't believe Simon doesn't even mention RazorBoy.

[@stadbab]

@@adeletaylor6143 razorboy erasure

[@rms9980]

I've always thought this would make a great movie. Love these videos, please keep em coming!

[@sabrinamyrick6902]

It's close enough, if you watch season 3 of American Horror Story!

[@antonioarcher353]

I’ve been waiting for this one Simon

[@bigkeith41]

Another masterpiece great video bro 😎 👍🏿👍🏿🍾

[@TechSupport900]

Who could forget his companion Razor Boy

[@Nseib23835]

Ryan and Shane moment

[@amandam8609]

I’ve got my porch axe, my shed axe, my kitchen axe...

[@seanblackhurst7844]

He only helps when he is not at boarding school

[@joseybryant7577]

This just in: more skulls crushed. Wa-oh throw out yer axes!

[@amandam8609]

@@joseybryant7577 HAHAHAHAHA!!!!

[@thomasdixon9631]

Nothing is creepier than when you’re binging Simon’s videos late at night, 2:19 to be exact, and you hear a loud giggle that sounds like a adolescent outside…. Might I add that I’m in a cabin in the middle of the woods. Lmao.

[@OffGridInvestor]

Get a gun

[@M60A3]

Just play some jazz to be be safe

[@thegunslinger1363]

Could you do a video on George Carlin? A philosopher with a sense of humour.

[@christineparis5607]

Agree!!

[@Xelor69]

Second the motion.

[@jrshelton3398]

Carlin’s probably not woke enough for this channel.

[@konradwireen7082]

@@jrshelton3398 mate he did one on joseph mengele

[@tomdavidson2204]

Yessssss

[@MadHatter42]

Psychopaths are always dressing themselves up in poetical language and cryptic metaphor, thinking it makes them more unique or terrifying, but really, it just makes them look pretentious and petty. They've got a bad case of "main character syndrome", it's really kind of embarrassing.

[@Ashannon888]

Tell me about it, I'd risk his wrath just to tell him to his face how much of a cringe edgelord douchebag he sounds like.

[@pakde8002]

I seriously doubt the letter was by the culprit. And it doesn't seem that all the cases were related except in that they were botched murder attempts or beatings that went to far.

[@TheJ0kerr]

I acc disagree with you, it always adds to the murderers lure, the zodiac killer, jack the Ripper, now this axe murderer, if u ask me their words and plot are better than any movie now a days

[@MadHatter42]

@@TheJ0kerr That's the exact response they're looking for. Attention, respect, fear, fan-worship. You've just given the serial killers and mass-murders everything they want; you've validated their cause.

[@TheJ0kerr]

@@MadHatter42 you're treating these serial killers as if they are bullies, they won't just go away if you stop giving them attention

[@deemariedubois4916]

I had never heard of the Axeman. Very interesting. Thanks Simon.

[@riderbass230]

Video idea: Milton Hershey. These videos are amazing I love listening to them while I work

[@richardhoehn9922]

Ah, The Axman. Played very well by Danny Huston in AHS: Coven, and also appears in Christopher Farnsworth's novel Red White and Blood.

[@dstinnettmusic]

Do ya like Jazz? -Barry “The Axeman” Benson

[@JamaisArriere1]

I wonder if there’s any connection to the Villsca axe murders that took place around the same time. That killer was also never caught.

[@jakemiller1386]

Great video as always! Would love to see an Episode on the Swedish Explorer, Sven Hedin. He traveled all over the Middle East and Asia during the late 1800s.

[@mr.chuckleteeth4382]

That note was fire 🔥🔥

[@JudeNance]

Love your stories ❤

[@TheStapleGunKid]

It's really odd how the Axeman isn't anywhere nearly as well known as Jack the Ripper, even though there are a lot of similarities between the two of them and the Axeman racked up a higher body count.

[@plywoodruntz]

Jack was ripper was the first real modern serial killer and his kills were much more horrific

[@e.n.l1976]

Quality BioBlaze episode as always.

[@sturgeonman5208]

You should check out the story of the “Man from the Train” in the book by Bill James for an interesting perspective on these attacks and a link to an possible more prolific killer. Also would make an interesting episode in of itself.

[@DennisTrovato]

Next: The accountant who loved Goregrind.

[@TheEvilCommenter]

Good video 👍

[@robgau2501]

Well done.

[@macdege6754]

Love it!

[@Effekt1155]

Being from New Orleans this is new to me good work

[@kknives36]

There were actually a lot of Ax Murders during this time period. In a very short span and they all seem related to the railways except Louisiana where the bulk occurred. Generally speaking the same MO was given. Someone with darker skin and their family gets hacked to death with an axe. The perp leaves the axe at the scene, eats a meal, and leaves. This happened all throughout the US but there was a single account of something similar in Germany. All in roughly about 35 years. There’s a theory that a German Immigrant who returned back home did all of it. I’d actually love to discuss it if you would ever have me on the podcast as I’m originally from San Antonio where some of the murders occurred.

[@isubonlygoodcontent5693]

The title can make all the zaku shivering

[@ryanrizzo4869]

Great video! I do love bit of the old macabre. :) As usual, I am here to request a Biographic on Ip Man, the martial arts mentor to the late, great Bruce Lee. Four over the top action movies just can't do such a legendary martial artist the same justice that Biographics can. Thank you in advance! -A Loyal Subscriber

[@hewasfuzzywuzzy3583]

KZbin notifications took a little more than 24hrs to let me know you uploaded this. I guess... I guess that's quick for KZbin. LOL 😂

[@allie5]

This guy had a short stint in AHS coven as well! ETA Not Simon! 😂 The Axeman!

[@danieltalley7739]

As for someone how lives in Gretna LA, when he said that Gretna police said that the axe murderer is a New Orleans thing is such a thing Gretna people would do. It made me chuckle

[@dardell2001]

How do you fail to kill with an axe? Seems the guy was a bit chaotic, wonder what kind of disorder he'd have been diagnosed with if modern shrinks could interview him

[@karrotakun3581]

The axe could have been dull or the killer simply didn't use enough force with some of his swings. It takes a lot of strength to properly use an axe, and at close range the killer may not have been able to gain the right swing velocity to make clean kills.

[@thedwightguy]

@@karrotakun3581 gas lamps would have been out, and it's night, and dark?

[@anthonyhayes1267]

I've seen people let their axe get ridiculously dull.

[@orangejuice481]

@@anthonyhayes1267 Even the dullest axe will split a skull, you guys are dumb lol.

[@Keyecomposer]

@@orangejuice481 Prove it.

[@gmmg8734]

Not me living in uptown New Orleans seeing this in my suggestions at 4 AM :D

[@camaderrygoat1314]

Axeman Jazz, great book y'all

[@CrazyTruckinS10]

I just watched the intro to American Horror Story with the episode of the Axeman. Stopped and had to do a reference check to see how much AHS is going to add in the episode

[@drtt1gg3r1]

he was jack the ripper when he was in london, then he moved to new orleans and became the axeman

[@brycecastle9694]

If you like American axe murder stories, you should do one on the Vallisca axe murders. That one could be an episode in itself but it was one of many axe murders throughout the midwest between 1910 and 1913.

[@presleymberry]

I’m currently in New Orleans I’m so glad this is so far in the past

[@patreidcocolditzcastle632]

HI ,i dont on which channel but could you do a history on Colditz castle and the pows escapes and a study of there german minders.pretty please...i love the topic and it would be great to see what you dig up cheers

[@JFromLA99]

3 30 am ,wake up, biographics posts video. Gives sociopathic grin

[@d1nesh._223]

I have genuinely been watching Simon Whistler content for the entire day No idea how many channels he has anymore

[@tms-fx9zs]

The Axeman of New Orleans was America's early 20th-century version of "Jack the Ripper!" like in London, England in the late 19th-century. Both cities were never able to identify the killers of these horrific crimes. The city of New Orleans is STILL a very dangerous town. Thumbs up to the Biographics team on this rarely known crime mystery.

[@Shadowofdeath1995]

Razor Boy he's back!

[@brianbarrett2487]

Simon watched AHS and was like "SOMEONE COPYPASTA ME A SCRIPT NOW"

[@stugriffin3868]

I love this story local stuff is always the best

[@anngo4140]

Holy cow I cant sleep after watching this.

[@jeffdingle9677]

FUTURE IDEA FOR A BIOGRAPHICS VIDEO. The story of WW2 double-agent EDDIE CHAPMAN could be another good subject for a video. He was an English criminal and a wartime spy and during WW2 he joined the German Abwehr but also became a British double-agent. His British codename was "ZIGZAG" in an acknowledgement of his rather erratic personal history where he was even awarded the Iron Cross with a personal citation from Adolf Hitler. His story can even be found on British Intelligence MI5 website. Amazing story and he died in 1997. MOVE OVER JAMES BOND...

[@_createusernamelater_6041]

Why did I have to watch this late at night

[@flickchick710]

I love your videos they're so well done and researched. I would like to make a request for your true crime content. I would love to see you do a video on the Aum Shinrikyo cult and their sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway. Or a video on serial killer Carl Panzram or serial killer Herbert Mullin. I find these 3 topics are so crazy but hardly anyone knows about them. Thank you for all your videos and I appreciate your hard work that goes into entertaining us all.

[@dylantravers5096]

There one about aum shinrikyo but it's more about their leader shoko ashahara

[@geoffreysonnen3482]

Interesting that the worst attack happened on my father's first birthday. Also taking note of why "American Horror Story" (season 3) had Danny Huston play The Axeman in several episodes, although 5 years shy of the 100th anniversary, and that mostly Italian-American families were involved. Did i miss any mention of this?

[@ScratchthechalkBoard]

The most evil action? Saying "jazzing out"

[@terryarmbruster7986]

Intro quote reveals a dude who just needed a hug 👍🤓 lol

[@jenniferdunn457]

God I love these channels

[@jeffreybenjamin138]

Hey love your channel. Could you please make a video about the late Prince Philip Duck of Edinburgh (RIP)

[@NathanCassidy721]

I guess you could say this guy found the music of Jazz good enough to die for.

[@js66613]

He could kill for a Jazz night.

[@SavoryCaroline]

"YOU BETTER JAZZ IT!"

[@DeeDeeBaldwin]

This would've been a fun one to do for Casual Criminalist.

[@ioannaanastasopoulou1637]

Completely unrelated to the story, but I do love the B99 line up at 17:36 from the iconic I want it that way cold open

[@xy3zx414]

Video ends at 19:19, same year as the axeman quit his murders🤔. Coincidence? I think not.

[@razorbackguy6149]

You should do a segment on the moon killer of Texarkana, Arkansas in the 40s. You might also do a segment on Ronald Gene Simmons...killed his entire family on Christmas and was sentenced to death. The deaths of two boys found dead on the railroad tracks near Alexander, Arkansas and the investigation...

[@lexistrying157]

I literally only saw axeman and got so excited

[@Wardner213]

Could you please do a bio on Ip Man? Thank you :)

[@YeeSoest]

I lack the imagination to understand how MOST victims survived AXE BLOWS TO THE HEAD. Who fails to fatally injure a sleeping or unexpecting person with an axe? It's a heavy, sharp object designed to split timber... What am I missing here?

[@rachelraquel758]

And he friends with the angel of death.

[@YeeSoest]

@@rachelraquel758 exactly, how does the grim reaper's buddy fail at this so often??

[@lyamainu]

A dull axe, and not enough arm strength or room to swing? Timber, as you said, splits, and even then it takes a lot of power to break the wood apart.

[@bobfg3130]

He was weak?

[@fabrisseterbrugghe8567]

Consumptive, maybe? New Orleans had high rates of TB, and if the fevers get high enough, all sorts of things can sound sane.