The Boston Strangler refers to a serial killer who murdered 13 women in the Boston, Massachusetts, area between 1962 and 1964. The killings involved strangulation, often with items of clothing, and sexual assault, according to Biography. There were no signs of forced entry in most cases, leading to speculation that the women knew their killer or willingly allowed him into their homes. The brutality and mystery surrounding the crimes instilled fear throughout Boston and sparked a large-scale investigation, says EBSCO.
Albert DeSalvo and the Boston Strangler case
Confession and Controversies: In 1965, Albert DeSalvo, already in custody for unrelated sexual assault and robbery charges, confessed to being the Boston Strangler. However, his confession was met with skepticism, and he was never formally charged with the Strangler murders. DeSalvo’s initial confessions lacked details, and some inconsistencies with crime scene evidence further fueled doubts about his guilt.
DNA evidence:
In 2013, advancements in DNA technology allowed for re-examination of forensic evidence from the last attributed victim, 19-year-old Mary Sullivan. DNA from the crime scene was matched to DeSalvo’s nephew, and subsequent exhumation and testing of DeSalvo’s remains definitively linked him to Sullivan’s murder.
Lingering Questions: Despite the DNA evidence in the Sullivan case, some individuals, including some investigators and authors, continue to believe that multiple killers were responsible for the Boston Strangler murders.
The lasting impact
The Boston Strangler case significantly impacted the public’s perception of serial killers and generated intense media coverage. The investigation itself led to changes in law enforcement procedures, including the use of computers in criminal investigations for the first time in the country, according to Boston.com. The case continues to fascinate and be discussed, even decades later.
Note: While DeSalvo’s involvement in the murder of Mary Sullivan is definitively established through DNA evidence, his role in all the Boston Strangler murders remains a subject of discussion and debate.
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