In the history of the New York serial killers, Albert Fishalso initially known as Frank Howard, became one of the most feared criminals. His history is marked by a series of heinous crimes that included cannibalism and shook the city.
Albert Fish was tried in 1935 White Plains, northeast of the island of Manhattan. Although the defense argued mental health problems, the jury found him guilty after a 10-day trial. Experts diagnosed him with “psychopathic personality without psychosis.”
Fish’s macabre story began when, responding to a job advertisement, he offered employment to Edward Budd and his friend Willie on his farm. Initially the contract did not materialize, which was notified by Fish through a letter that later formed part of the evidence against him..
On a later visit, Fish noticed Budd’s younger sister, named Gracie, and proposed that she join him to celebrate her birthday. After this invitation, Fish disappeared, taking Gracie with him.. The family reported him missing to the police, marking the beginning of a series of terrifying events.
Murder of Gracie Budd and subsequent disappearances
The Budd family received a letter detailing the mutilation and murder of Gracie, whose handwriting matched Howard’s previous note. Shortly after, another boy, four-year-old Billy Gaffney, disappeared while playing with his neighbor, who claimed that the “bogeyman” took him. Shortly, eight-year-old Francis McDonnell also vanished while playing on his porch. His friends saw him go into the forest with an old man with gray hair. The city was plunged into fear.
The search for the “gray man” was initially unsuccessful. However, the Budd family letter was key; On it was found the emblem of the New York Police Chiefs Benevolent Association (NYC PBA), which is the largest police union in the city. All members were required to provide writing samples for comparison.
A janitor confessed to taking paper from the letters and leaving them at his old boarding house. The landlady confirmed that an elderly man matching the description had lived there and had recently left. This tenant turned out to be Albert H. Fish.
(We also recommend: The quality of life in New York is getting worse, according to a survey: why?)
Confessions and trial of Albert Fish
Fish admitted to planning to murder Edward Budd and his friend Willie, but changed his mind upon seeing Gracie, whom he desperately wanted to kill. He took her to the field, strangled her, beheaded her and dismembered her..
When discussing the murder of Billy Gaffney, described how she tied him up, beat him, drank his blood and cooked parts of his body. Despite previous encounters with police, Fish had always avoided charges.
The trial records highlight that, during his confessions, showed unusual calm for someone with psychosis, admitting to enjoying inflicting pain and experiencing it. She had an obsession with children, mainly male children, and a compulsion to write and send obscene letters. An X-ray examination revealed needles embedded between her anus and scrotum.
#Albert #Fish #dramatic #story #Yorks #feared #serial #killer