The Axeman of New Orleans Said He’d Spare Anyone Who Played Jazz on a Specific Night. Here’s Why the Serial Killer Was Never Caught

The city of New Orleans was plunged into a state of fear and panic between 1918 and 1919 by a ruthless and mysterious assailant known as the Axeman. This unidentified serial killer was responsible for at least five brutal murders and over a dozen terrifying attacks, wielding axes as their weapon of choice. Despite numerous suspects and intense investigations, the Axeman managed to evade capture, leaving a trail of devastation in their wake.

The reign of terror orchestrated by the Axeman began in May 1918 and continued until October 1919. Survivors described the killer as a White, working-class male in his 30s, who gained entry into homes by removing small door panels. It was noted that the Axeman used a railroad shoe pin, indicating a level of expertise in burglary. The motive behind the murders remained unclear as the killer seldom took valuables, leaving authorities baffled as to the reasoning behind the heinous crimes.

One of the most notorious incidents during the Axeman’s spree involved a letter published by the local newspaper, The Times-Picayune. The letter, allegedly from the Axeman, stated that anyone playing jazz music on a specific night would be spared from the killer’s wrath. This prompted a city-wide night of jazz music as residents hoped to avoid becoming the next victim of the elusive murderer.

Despite extensive investigations and multiple suspects being detained, including Joseph Maggio’s brother, Andrew, and Joseph Manfre, also known as Mumfre or Monfre, no one was conclusively linked to all of the Axeman’s atrocities. Miriam Davis, a historian and author, even suggested that the infamous March 1919 letter attributed to the Axeman may have been the work of a local jazz musician named Joseph John Davilla, known for composing “The Axman’s Jazz (Don’t Scare Me).”

The Axeman’s killing spree culminated in the deaths of at least five individuals, including Italian grocers Joseph and Catherine Maggio, barber Joe Romano, grocer Mike Pepitone, and 2-year-old Mary Cortimiglia, along with multiple attacks on other victims. The majority of the victims were Italian and Sicilian grocers, leading to speculation that they may have been targeted due to their perceived success in business.

Despite intense efforts by law enforcement at the time, the Axeman managed to evade capture and was never brought to justice for their heinous crimes. The lack of reliable eyewitness accounts, a prevailing disbelief in the concept of a serial killer, and a dearth of substantial evidence at crime scenes all contributed to the killer’s ability to remain at large. The case of the Axeman of New Orleans remains unsolved, shrouded in mystery and terror, leaving a dark chapter in the history of the city.