Erie’s Backyard Strangler: Terror in the 1960s
“Erie’s Backyard Strangler: Terror in the 1960s” by Justin Dombrowski, published by Arcadia Publishing in 2023, delves into a chilling chapter of Erie’s history. This 224-page book recounts the events surrounding a series of brutal attacks on women in the 1960s, beginning with the discovery of sixty-year-old Laura Mutch’s strangled body. As the city celebrated its achievements, including a bid for the “All-American City” award, the violent incidents sent shockwaves through the community, leading to widespread fear and chaos.
Readers will find a detailed account of the investigations and the impact of these crimes on the local populace. Dombrowski explores the harrowing experiences of victims like Clara Carrig and Helen Knost, as well as the nationwide attention garnered by the arrest of truck driver John Howard Willman in 1963. The book provides insight into the historical context of these events, highlighting the societal tensions and fears that emerged during this tumultuous period in Erie’s history.
Official synopsis Publisher
On a cold morning in December 1960, sixty-year-old Laura Mutch was found strangled behind a house in downtown Erie….
The city was reaching new heights, including a triumphant run for the coveted “All-American City” award, yet the incident created pandemonium. As investigations progressed, attacks on women continued, sending citizens and seasoned investigators to the brink of chaos. Seventy-two-year-old Clara Carrig was brutally stabbed, and Helen Knost narrowly survived an attempted killing. Mary Lynn Crotty, Eleanor Free and Marian Graham were found murdered, all by strangulation. Women throughout the region locked their doors and avoided the streets at night. The case attracted nationwide attention after the arrest of truck driver John Howard Willman in 1963 yet many questions remain unanswered.
Author Justin Dombrowski charts the harrowing attacks, investigations and mystery surrounding Erie’s 1960s reign of terror.
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