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Servant Girl Annihilator
Between 1884-1885, a serial killer terrorized Austin, Texas, murdering at least 8 people—mostly servant girls attacked in their beds with axes. The killer was never caught, and the murders stopped suddenly. Some theorize he became Jack the Ripper in London three years later.
1884
Austin, Texas, USA
0 America’s first serial killer was never caught.
The Murders
1884-1885:
- Austin, Texas
- At least 8 victims
- Mostly servant girls
- Attacked while sleeping
- Axes and knives used
The Victims
Who was killed:
- Mollie Smith (first)
- Eliza Shelley
- Irene Cross
- Mary Ramey
- Gracie Vance
- Orange Washington
- Susan Hancock
- Eula Phillips
The Pattern
How he operated:
- Night attacks
- Through windows
- Victims dragged outside
- Sexual assault
- Brutal murder
The Investigation
Police response:
- Bloodhounds used
- Rewards offered
- False arrests
- Vigilante mobs
- Never solved
The Theory
Jack the Ripper connection:
- Murders stopped 1885
- Ripper began 1888
- Similar methods
- Same killer?
- Never proven
The Legacy
Historical impact:
- First American serial killer
- Changed Austin forever
- Influenced security
- Still unsolved
- True crime landmark