The Axeman of New Orleans: The Unsolved Killer Who Told a City to Play Jazz

"Hell, March 13, 1919...

Esteemed Mortals!"

Whenever I am asked "What is your favorite true crime of all time?" I always answer with this case-the Axeman of New Orleans. Why? The letter. Read on to find out what I am talking about.

There are countless unsolved mysteries in American history, but none has captured my attention quite like the Axeman of New Orleans.

Maybe it's the mysterious letter (it is).

Maybe it's the eerie atmosphere of early twentieth-century New Orleans.

Or maybe it's because the entire city once played jazz through the night because they believed a murderer had promised to spare anyone listening to jazz music (ok Angel of Death).

Whatever the reason, this case has been my favorite true crime mystery of all time for years.

And honestly....

The infamous letter continues to make me laugh. Not because the crimes were funny-far from it-but because of how incredibly theatrical the Axeman seemed to be. Like who begins a letter to a newspaper with "Esteemed Mortals!"?

It's dramatic.

It's bizarre.

And it's unforgettable.

Who Was the Axeman?

Between May 1918 and October 1919, a series of brutal nighttime attacks terrorized New Orleans.

The victims were usually attacked while sleeping in their own homes. In many cases, the attacker entered by chiseling away a panel from a back door before using an axe-often one belonging to the victims themselves.

Several victims survived, making the crimes even more mysterious because descriptions of the attacker varied widely.

No one was ever caught or convicted.

To this day, the identity of the Axeman remains unknown.

The Victims

Joseph and Catherine Maggio

Date: May 23, 1918 Location: Corner of Upperline and Magnolia Streets

Joseph and Catherine Maggio were Italian grocery store owners who lived in an apartment attached to their store. During the night of May 23rd, someone entered through the back door after removing a wooden panel. The killer slashed both victims' throats with Joseph's straight razor and then beat them with an axe belonging to the family. Joseph was still alive when discovered but died minutes later. Catherine died at the scene after suffering one of the most horrific injuries in the case. The bloody razor used to kill the couple was later found outside along with a message written in chalk that said "Mrs. Maggio will sit up tonight just like Mrs. Toney." The murderer apparently changed clothes before leaving. Nobody ever determined who wrtoe the message or who killed the couple.

Louis Besumer and Harriet Lowe

Date: June 27, 1918

Louis Besumer and Harriet Lowe both owned another grocery store in New Orleans. They were attacked while sleeping in the rooms behind the store. The killer used Louis' own hatchet. Louis sustained a skull fracture and severe head wounds while Harriet sustained head wounds and permanent facial paralysis. However, both survived.

Police initially suspected that Louis himself committed these acts, then Harriet, then German spies (because World War I was occuring at the same time), or former employees. None of these theories help up or could be proved.

Anna Schneider

Date: August 5, 1918

Anna Schneider was 28 years old and eight months pregnant at the time of her attack. She awoke to find a dark figure standing over her. She was struck repeatedly in the face. Unlike previous attacks, no axe wounds were confirmed. Police believed a heavy lamp may have been used instead. There was no forced entry and only a few dollars were missing after the fact. Thankfully, she gave birth to a healthy baby girl two days later.

Joseph ("Joe") Romano

Date: August 10, 1918

Joe Romano was a thirty one year old barber who lived with his two nieces. During the night of August 10th, his nieces heard noises and found Joe lying in his bed with severe head injuries. A bloody axe was found nearby. Joe unfortunately succumbed to his injuries but before doing so, he tried to say who attacked him. However, no one could understand what he said.

Charles, Rosie, and Mary Cortimiglia

Date: March 10, 1919

On this date the Axeman entered into this family's house through a removed door panel and attacked Charles, Rosie, and their two year old daughter, Mary, in their sleep. Charles sustained skull fractures but survived. Rosie also sustained skull fractures and survived. Unfortunately, Mary was struck once in the neck while Rosie held her and died instantly. Rosie then falsely accused her neighbors, Iorlando Jordano and his son Frank, of committing these acts. Both men were convicted but later Rosie admitted that she lied. The convictions were overturned making this one of the biggest investigative failures in the case.

Sarah Laumann

Date: September 3, 1919

Sarah Laumann was a nineteen year old woman who lived alone. Neighbors became worried after they heard strange noises coming from her apartment. They broke in and found her unconscious. She had sustained severe head trauma and had several of her teeth knocked out. She survived but never remembered what happened.

Mike Pepitone

Date: October 27. 1919

Mike Pepitone was a local grocer, husband, and father of six children. His wife heard noises from her husband's side of the bed and saw a large man fleeing from the room. Mike had been struck in the head while he was asleep. The room was covered in blood and Mike had died.

This is generally considered the final confirmed Axeman attack. After this murder, the Axeman disappeared forever.

The Letter That Made History

On March 13, 1919, local newspapers received what became one of the most famous letters in true crime history.

The writer claimed to be the Axeman himself. It wasn't simply a confession. It was performance art.

The author described himself as a supernatural being (and as a witch, I actually believe this) from the "hottest hell" and announced that he would kill again the following Tuesday night-with one strange exception.

Anyone playing jaz would supposedly be spared.

The city took the threat surprisingly serious.

Y'all, it's the "Esteemed Mortals!" for me.

The Night New Orleans Played Jazz

One week later, something remarkable happened.

Dance halls stayed open.

Musicians performed all night.

Families gathered around pianos in their homes.

Jazz echoed throughout New Orleans until sunrise.

According to contemporary reports, no Axeman murders occured that night.

Was it coincidence? Almost certainly.

But it remains one of the strangest moments in American criminal history.

Imagine an entire city united by music because of a letter from an unknown killer.

I honestly think the Axeman was just out of town that day and sent the letter just for funsies.

Who Was the Axeman?

More than a century later, theories continue to circulate.

Some historians believe the attacks may have been connected to organized crime within New Orleans' Italian immigrant community, since many victims were Italian-American grocers (ok Tony Soprano).

Others think the crimes were committed by more than one person.

Some even argue the famous letter wasn't written by the killer at all, but by someone seeking publicity.

I think it was an actual demon. LOL.

Without modern foresnic evidence, we'll probably never know.

Why This Case Fascinates Me

Out of all the true crime stories I've researched, this one keeps pulling me back.

It's eerie without relying on sensationalism.

The setting feels almost gothic, with shadowy streets, old homes, and jazz drifting through the night.

Most of all, I love the letter. Few criminal cases have produced a document as memorable and hilarious as the Axeman's letter. It reads less like a confession and more like the opening narration of a gothic horror novel.

Final Thoughts

More than one hundred years later, the Axeman remains one of America's greatest unsolved mysteries.

His identity has never been confirmed and his motives remain undetermined. His letter continues to spark debate among historians and true crime enthusiasts alike.

Whether it was written by the killer, a demon, or an elaborate hoax, one thing is certain:

The axeman of New Orleans ensured that his story-and his flair for dramatic writing-would never be forgotten.

This is the true crime case that is my favorite of all time. It has history, mystery, gothic atmosphere, and one of the most unforgettable letters ever published. If you're just beginning your journey into historical true crime, I can't think of a better place to start.

And, as always, rest in peace to the deceased and condolences to the descendants and remaining family members of the victims.

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