Albert DeSalvo confessed to thirteen killings he was never tried for. He made the confession in 1965 at Bridgewater State Hospital, where he was being held on unrelated charges, and he made it to his lawyer, F. Lee Bailey, who then had to find something to do with it. No court ever tested it. DeSalvo was convicted of armed robbery and sexual assaults, sentenced to life, and stabbed to death in Walpole in 1973. Whether he strangled anyone remains argued over sixty years later, and nothing in this file settles it.
What the FBI's 163-12664 records is an agency watching from the outside. The murders were Massachusetts business, investigated by a state task force under the attorney general, and the Bureau's file is a running note of what Boston would tell it and what it would not. On January 25, 1966 the attorney general's office advised that there was no change in the status of the DeSalvo case. Recorded alongside it is the instruction that no agency was to be furnished information about the case at all, whoever asked.
The exception is February 1967, when DeSalvo walked out of Bridgewater with two other men and was caught a day later in a Lynn shoe store. A federal warrant issued on the escape, which is the one moment the Bureau had a case of its own, and the file carries the teletypes that went out while he was loose: the description, the prison clothing, the report that he meant to reach Canada for a nose job and then Mexico.
DeSalvo does not speak in what is printed below. There is no confession here, no interview, and no evidence of the killings - those were state offences, the investigation belonged to Massachusetts, and the Bureau had no part in it. What it kept was liaison traffic, memoranda between headquarters officials, escape teletypes, correspondence with Massachusetts authorities, and its own withheld-page notices.
The Bureau also filed the newspapers, and those are not reproduced here. Roughly a third of the release is press coverage clipped and pasted onto FBI cover sheets - the Washington Post, the Boston Record-American, the Sunday News and Daily News of New York, the National Observer, the Times Herald, the Sunday Star, the World Journal Tribune, the Boston Globe and the Boston Traveler, including two signed columns - one by Nicholas von Hoffman, one by Jack O'Shea on the attorney general and the Bottomly tapes - and a serialized account of the psychiatric testimony. A newspaper does not become a government record by being filed inside one; the copyright stays with the paper. They are also, scanned, two columns woven into one another and unreadable. They are described here and not printed, and it is worth knowing they are in the file, because they are where DeSalvo is quoted and where the Bureau's own clerks were getting much of their information.
The release is marked "PART 1 OF 1", which is the Bureau's own statement that this is the whole of what exists under that file number. Records of a United States federal agency released under FOIPA, public domain. For certified copies the FBI's Record/Information Dissemination Section holds file 163-12664.
The file opens with the Bureau's standard apology for its own copies: "THE BEST COPY OBTAINABLE IS INCLUDED IN THE REPRODUCTION OF THESE DOCUMENTS. PAGES INCLUDED THAT ARE BLURRED, LIGHT, OR OTHERWISE DIFFICULT TO READ ARE THE RESULT OF THE CONDITION OF THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENT." That is accurate. Of 156 pages and 27,093 words, 4,618 are printed here: the clippings account for most of what is missing and the rest came off the scanner as characters rather than words.
The teletypes are left exactly as they came, because a teletype abbreviates so heavily that a repaired word is usually an invented one. One line below reads "DESALVO IS INDIVIDUAL CiltfS 70 SE THE BOSTON TRAVELER" where the paper said STRANGLER - we have not corrected it, and where a passage was too far gone to read at all it is not printed.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION THE BEST COPY OBTAINABLE IS INCLUDED IN THE REPRODUCTION OF THESE DOCUMENTS.
PAGES INCLUDED THAT ARE BLURRED, LIGHT, OR OTHERWISE DIFFICULT TO READ ARE THE RESULT OF THE CONDITION OF THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENT.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
For information which may be identical to subject, refer to your letter dated 3-28-61, cautioned CRIM re Model's Agent Tapes ter," and Buairtel to Boston dated 9-23-65, captioned Unsub, aka The Strangler, Information Concerning."
Re 0-1 from Bureau dated January 20, 1966. On January 25, 1966 Attorney General's advised that there was no change in Office, Boston., Massachusetts, the status of the DeSALVO case. He advised that Assistant JOHN intend to present the matter concerning DeSALVO to the Grand Jury but no specific date has been set for this presentation.
relative has instructed that no statedtothat the DeSALVO case be furnished any agency information even though the inquiry made by through the
DESALVO IS INDIVIDUAL CiltfS 70 SE THE BOSTON TRAVELER" Uh'O HAS COKKX TTED NUMEROUS ACTS OF RAPE AND ftURDER I THE 3GSTGIJ AREA. HE WAS RECENTLY CONVICTED I MIDDLESEX CO. SUPERIOR COURT ON SEVERAL COUNTS OF RAPE FOR UKIC HE RECEIVED LIFE
ALL SUBJECTS WEARING PRISON GARB CF GREY JACKETS A TROUSERS WITH LETTER ON BACK OF JACKET. PLYMOUTH COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY JOKH A. WHEATLEY, BROCKTON, KASS, TO ASCERTAIN FULL FACTS OF ESCAPE IS CONSIDERING REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE FELON ACT IN EVEKV IS IKDICATIOiJ OF I TEES TATE FLIGHT BY OF
The Bureau will be kept advised of additional developments irJFQRWftTIOK CQNTAiNEQ.
assigned to Attorney General's Office, State House, Boston, Mass*, advised that a hearing is contemplated in the near future to determine the competency of subject DE SALVO, at which time it will be determined whether he is sufficiently competent to stand trial for the 11 strangulation and two other deaths.
Psychiatrists are already of a divided opinion as to his mental condition.
Middlesex County Probate Judge FREDERICK MENU IM IN u,/rrecently ruled that DE SALVO is competent to manage his ywas a. civil matter, however, and had no bearing I prosecution of criminal charges which will be brought iN the event he is found competent to stand trial.
As yet, police have not questioned DE SALVO concerning these killings.
OnJuneJ assigned to the Attorney General's Office, State House, Boston, Massachusetts, advised that a hearing had been held concerning the competency of subject DE SALVO in a civil court. The judge ruled that DE SALVO was competent. It is contemplated a criminal hearing concerning the same matter will be held within the next two weeks regarding the competency of DE SALVO. If he is found competent, the Attorney General's Office expects to immediately present the facts of this case to a Suffolk County Grand Jury for indictment, after of course, the individual will be tried for murder.
held in Middlesex Superior Court, Cambridge, Massachusetts concerning the competency cf subject DE SALVO in a crimine 1 court. The Judge ruled DE SALVO competent. Imnedj ate thereafter, DE SALVO attorney, LEE BAILEY, filed a oticn for speedy trial. This motion was granted and the trial DE SALVO concerning seventeen assault cases in Mi dale so: unity
Bureau will be kent advise:!. I 45 Buy US. Savings Bonds Regularly on the Payroll Savings Plan
subject: ALBERT HENRY DE SALVO Reboslet, 7/27/66, and Bureau 0-1 form dated assigned to the Attorney General's Office, State House, Boston, Mass., advised on 11/7/66 that the 17 assault cases for which DE SALVO was scheduled to be tried on during 9/66 were continued until 1/9/67 because DE SALVO'S Attorney,
LEE BAILEY, was engaged in the murder trial of Dr. SAlttJEL SHEPPARD in Cleveland, Ohio.
id vised that this information should be collected by 2/15/67, and this information be obtained by this ciiice as scon as it is available.
Modelling Man Albert De Salvo would use this technique on women under 50 years of age and upon young girls.
He would gain access stating he was from a model agency and that fictitious person sent him to interview the He would offer 0 an hour, and in "of" the cases the girls would pose in the nude for hiiaqW In iany the assaults on young girls, De Salvo used Victims 1 Positions in the Murder Cases It will be noted that cf the 13 murdered victims which murders allegedly were committed by DeSr the main characteristics of the rrctesoue oositicns as fellows he tin positioned so that, upon cnterinv he rcom from any door, the body would be in full via.
The most notable characteristics the body that the bed was positioned in such a way that all the organs were noticed and the lets were spread wide apart.
Ligatures used were sill; ins, leotards, scarver and pill ow cases. On eve ry vi im there wa tied medical or square not.
Pieces of Crimes All of the murders and assaults committed happened at multiple dwelling apartments with i or.ts cf transient character, where many people were constantly and go ing To. a Iv: aystwo or three entra and exits to these apartment houses. Investigation revealed that 90;. of these apartment houses were sorely in need 01 repair one way or another.
De Salvo always rubber surgical gloves end rubber overshoes De Salvo was sentenced in Middlesex County Superior Court, Cambridge, Massachusetts, on January 1;,
to life imprisonment on assault charges, which did not include the 13 murders. Attorneys for DeSelvo have appealed his conviction and, as yet, a finding relative to the eppeel hasr. been ma It should be noted that the defense attorneys also, during the trial of De Salvo relative to the assault charges, contended that DeSalvo was insane but the jury at Middlesex County, Cambridge, voted that he was sane and found him on all 0\0AI fOtM MO. 10 M*r tOUIOM HO.
RAPE These are the most recent developments in connection with the escape of captioned individual, the self-confessed "Boston Strangler."
Memorandum to Mr. DeLoach Re: Albert Henry DeSalvo Because of the wide publicity afforded this matter, there have been a number of reports that DeSalvo has been seen in various states. All such reports are being promptly checked out.
Investigation is being pressed vigorously to locate DeSalvo. Legat Ottawa has been telephonically alerted so that Canadian inquiries may be handled. Wanted flyer is being prepared for early distribution throughout the country.
HEREIN IS FROM DIRECTOR FBI P.flJE.ji albert salvo fugitive ufac rape 00: boston subject, self admitted "boston strangler" escaped massachusetts correctional institution, bridgesater, massachusetts february twenty-four last where he was serving life sentence after conviction for rape. two inmates who escaped with him george harris) and frederick erickson have surrendered.
de salvo indicated intention of going to j/j Ontario, canada, by plane to get "nose job" in waynsburg ontario; after which he would kill the doctor performing the operation. BE SALVO ALLEGED TO BE ARMED WITH EIGHT SHOT thirty-two caliber bjsrretta
ESCAPE SUCCESSFUL HE WOULD GO TO MEXICO. DE SALVO WHITE MALE AMERICAN DATE OF BIRTH SEPTEMBER THREE THIRTY-ONE CHELSEA, MASSACHUSETTS, FIVE FEET TEN INCHES ONE HUNDRED
advised Extra Duty Supervisor ephonically he had information concerning DeSalvo.
When the light changed WHMtdrove away and this was the last they saw of this individual. When they arrived foci jyuw UVgi SU believe the above-mentioned individual they saw looked like DeSalvo. He said he was furnishing this for any assistance it might be.
described this unknown individual as: white, male, 27- years, ll"-6; 175-180 lbs., stocky build, dark hair, medium complexion, no visible scars or distinguishing marks or features. Dressed in dark sweater jwith sleeves rolled up and tan dress pants. Characteristics feezed silly when he approached car; could have been drinking.
REBSTEL 2/24 LAST TITLE CHANGED TO REFLECT FULL NAME OF SUBJECT AND DELETE 1 NAMES OF SUBJECTS HARRISON AND ERICKSON WHO WERE SURRENDERED APPROXIMATELY 10:20PM 2/24 LAST AT PRIDGEWATER BY ATTY MARTI NFAY, A LAWYER ENGAGED IN INVESTIGATING MASS. PRISON CONDITIONS.
MASS STATE POLICE. WARRANTS ISSUED AND BOND AT WITH SURETY. COMPLAINT CONCERNING DE SALVO CHARGES THAT ON FEBRUfVftT 4 DE SALVO DID TRAVEL IN I NTERSTATECOMMEPCE WITH INTENT TO AVOID CONFINE MENT AFTER CONVICTION OF FELONY OFFENCES UNDER THE LAWS OF MASS.
TO BE SENT CUT. BUREAU REQUESTED TO ADVISE LEGAT, MEXICO CTIY.
INFO COPIES FURNISHED TO BALTIMORE, RICHMOND AND CHARLOTTE DUE TO PENDING INVESTIGATION IN THESE DIVISIONS. COPIES FURNISHED TO PHOENIX SAN ANTONIO, SAN DIEGO, EL PASO AND ALBUQUERQUE IN VIEW OF FACT THESE OFFICES COVER MIXICAN BORDER AND ARE REQUESTED TO PLACE IMMEDIATE STOPS WITH APPROPRIATE SOURCES.
DE SALVO SHOULD BE CONSIDERED ARMED AND DANGEROUS IN VIEW OF HIS VIOLENT BACKGROUND AND HIS ADMISSIONS TC SEVERAL MURDERS.
GREYHOUND US DRIVER, ADVISED HE DROVE BUS SCHEDULE NUMBER FIFTEEN LEAVING RICHMOND, ABOUT SIX AND ARRIVING RALEIGH, EIGHT THIRTY. BUS ORIGINATED BOSTON, MASS., THREE FORTYFIVE AH TWO TVENTYFOUP SIXTYSEVEN DRIVEN SWHO WAS RELIEVED BY grand WILL SPEND NIGHT IN AT GREYHOUND TERMINAL, RICHMOND, WHILE TAKING TICKETS ON TOP DECK, WHIT MALE SITTING ON SIDE OF
FOR REMAINDER OF TRIP TO MIAMI, FLA. ADVI HIM HE WO FEB 8 1967 HAVE TO CONTACT GREYHOUND OFFICES, LEXINGTON, WHITE 61 ASKED ABOUT LUGGAGE AND DISPLAYED LUGGAGE TICKET AND WAS TOLD VONE OF PORTERS WOULD REMOVE LUGGAGE FOR HIM AND HE DEPARTED
UPON READING NEWSPAPER IN RALEIGH, OBSERVED PHOTO OF SUBJECT AND STORY OF ESCAPE AND BELIEVES ABOVE INDIVIDUAL IDENTICAL WITH SUBJECT. HE COULD OFFEP NO INFO AS TO CLOTHING OR OTHER CHARACTERISTICS OF ABOVE INDIVIDUAL AND ONLY STATES THAT HE WAS MEDIUM BUILD.
BUREAU REQUESTED TO ADVISE IF FBI INVESTIGATION REQUESTED AND IF SO RICHMOND CONDUCT APPROPRIATE INVESTIGATION.
AS DE SALVO IS ADMITTED PSYCHOPATHIC MURDERER CONSIDER DANGEROUS VI TH SUICIDAL TENDENCIES.
Radio newscast this morning told of the escape during the night from a Massachusetts State Hospital of Albert Di Salvo, the convicted self admit ted Boston strangler-rapist Handley, Boston, was telephonically contacted to secure additional details. Handley advised that DiSalvo was confined to the Bridgewater, Massachusetts, Mental Hospital for the criminally insane and his method of escape is unknown iq ronnrtpH WW alert are miBRinp from the institution. Handley advised that Agents are at Bridgewater maintaining liaison with institution officials and with the local district attorney so that, if applicable, unlawful flight process will be obtained at the earliest possible moment.
Di Salvo, who has been convicted and has received a life sentence for various sex crimes, was under confinement at the Bridgewater institution while his case, represented by the widely-publicized criminal attorney, Lee Bailey, is under appeal.
Handley was instructed to closely follow this matter and to keep the Bureau promptly advised of pertinent developments.
RE TELEPHONE CALL TO THIS DATE SUBJECT APPREHENDED TWO FIFTY PM THIS DATE, IN SIMON SHOE STORE, LYNN, MASS., BY LYNNK PIT. OF SHOE STORE BECAME SUSPICIOUS OF SUBJECT, WHO HAD BEEN MAKING
NUMEROUS TELEPHONE CALLS AND CALLED THE LYNN WHO MADE
RAPE BOSTON HEREIN IS UNCLASSIFIED REQS EL TO BUREAU INSTANT FOR INFO BUREAU y: r i BUREAU REQUESTED TO ADVISE LEGAT OTTAWA.
Zj FOR INFO BUFFALO DETROIT SUBJECT IS ALLEGED BOSTON STRANGLE*" AKD SENTENCED LAST, DOLES COUNTY COURT. EAST CAMBRIDGE, MAPS.
COMPLAINT SIGNED BY MASS. STATE POLICE DEPT. AND FILED BEFORE FRANCIS FARRELL, BOSTON 2-24 LAST.
Also, I think your men did a great job of tracking DeSalvo down. I would please like to have your opinion on this matter. Thank you for your trouble.
Your letter of February 28th has been received, and I certainly appreciate your kind comments.
Enclosures The Story of the FBI Know Your FBI Profiles in Crime NOTE: Bufiles contain no record identifiable with correspondent.
Although Federal process was issued in connection with the escape of Albert DeSalvo, the FBI was hot in on the apprehension as he surrendered to local police in Lynn, Massachusetts. Correspondent's inquiries regarding this matter are being intentionally ignored.
Enclosed for the Bureau are an original and five copies of a LHJI and for Boston, two copies of a setting forth the results of a review of DE SALVO 1 military service record.
DeSalvo had foreign service in Germany from December 28, 1948, to July 3, 1951, and from October 5, 1951, to March
His character and efficiency ratings ranged from good" to excellent" and there was no record of absence without official leave.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION REPORTING OFFICE OFFICE OF ORIGIN DATE INVESTIGATIVE PERIOD BOSTON BOSTON 3/10/67 2/24/67 2/27/67 TITLE OF CASE REPORT MADE BY TYPE ALBERT DE SALVO CHARACTER OF CASE
Agents of the Boston Office had commenced investigation in this matter at the time of subject's apprehension.
APPROVED SPECIAL AGENT IN CHARGE DO NOT WRITE IN SPACES BELOW COPIES MADE
ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED ALBERT DE SALVO HEREIN IS UNCLASSIFIED
On February 24. 19 67. a complaint authorized by UnitedStatesAttorne Boston, was signed
On the same date, a warrant was issued by Commissioner FRANCIS FARRELL, Boston, charging subject DE SALVO with imflc Aa Qortf Ti 070 a
wu he did leave the State of Massachusetts to avoid confinement for the crime of rape Is the property and is
On February 27, 1967, the Federal warrant against DE SALVO was dismissed in District Court, Boston.
Memorandum TO DIRECTOR, FBI date: 7/2/68 LEGAT, BONN subject: ALBERT HENRY DE SALVO Enclosed for Oklahoma City's background use is one copy of an dated February 17, 1967 at Boston, Massachusetts Enclosed for the Bureau for transmittal to both Boston and Oklahoma City are six copies of a letter from For the further information of Oklahoma City, subject is the notorious Boston Strangler", who the subject of much newspaper publicity.
Determine whether or not subject may be interviewed a time and, if so, interview him in line with the request
HtREMt Enclosed for Louisville, in addition to Xerox copy of referenced, letter, are Xerox copies of Legat, Bonn, letter 0 to Bureau 7/2/68. Boston letter and memorandum 2/17/67, and Efforts to locate at McAlestei Oklahoma, negative to date.
Enclosed herewith are an original and three copies of a letterhead memorandum dated August 8, 19 6 8 at Boston, Massachusetts, concerning the above captioned individual
Enclosed for the Bureau are one original and five copies letterhead memorandum reflecting interview of and for Bcston one copy of this
Information copy of this communication is being furnished to Boston in view of their investigative interest in this matter.
By.:. To Be Returned Yes Receipt given Yes Ho No Description: 4-750 (Rev. 4-1 7-85)
This request must be compiled with promptly in accordance with instructions contained in Section 103 of the Manual of Instructions.
Submit the results of your inquiries in a letterhead memorandum. The Bureau is origins in this case and must be advised of all action taken.
The letterhead memorandum must be prepared in such a manner as to fully protect our sources and techniques. If the request concerns information from another Government agency, include in the letterhead memorandum only the information which the agency is willing to have furnished to the interested foreign government. Do not include the names of Special Agents in either the letterhead memorandum or in signed statements. The letterhead memorandum should receive a protective security if warranted but should not receive a group Do not include the property statement in the letterhead memorandum unless special reasons exist and any such reasons should be explained in the cover letter.
has referred to me your letter of October 28, 1965.
Because of the present state of the investigations and the demands associated with the preparation of cases for possible presentation to grand juries, it does not appear to be appropriate at this time to divulge information about the modus operandi or possible admissions of Albert Henry DeSalvo.
However please assure hat this Department will cooperate at the earliest possible date when disclosure of such information could not possibly jeopardized investigations or judicial proceedings At such time, if you consider it desirable, the appropriate agent or agents on your staff will be invited to review the files and confer with the members of the staff of this Department who have the desired information.
DELETED PAGE(S) DUPLICATION FEE FOR THIS PAGE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION FOIPA DELETED PAGE INFORMATION SHEET
hearing be sought soon to determine the competency of the self-confessed Boston strangler to stand trial for 11 strangling
The psychiatrists who are 4 RECORD AUEIICAN divided now on his competency,, competency will testify at "the" Boston, L'asj.
Superior Court hearing and the matter will be left to a final i determination by a judge.
There is a quick to the com-1 petency question. Even if the?
ably will be necessary between Mlac. Strangler the suspect's counsel, Attys
him) and the psychiatrists a the only ones who have talfc to him since his commitment to Bridgewater. Detectives have IWWkept busy.
The evidence would be mostly of a technical medical nature from psychiatrists and the alleged confessions of the defendant would be read into the record.
Authorities reportedly are considering two possible times for the trial midsummer op after the November elections.
The latter date is favored to avoid any possible political In The suspect is expected to plead not guilty by reason of fcisanity. If found guilty he could get a death sentence.
When he confessed, the suspect did not appear to care whether he lived or died, but since treatment at Bridge-, water, his attitude has reversed and he reportedly has great de 4-750 (Rev. 4-17-85)
LEADS term wh ther or not sub may be I nter vi ew ed at this Is ti ne and, I if so. Int review him In If no.
Memorandum TP Boston 461) DATE: 7-10-68 Director, FBI 64) ALBERT HENRY DE SA am IliT i SUBJECT: FOREiP POtiieB-COOPEkATION 5-9-68 HEREIN is UNCI ASSfPIED feUREAU The enclosed request for assistance from a foreign agency must be compiled with promptly, and the Bureau advised of all action taken.
Instructions for handling this inquiry are found in Section 103 of the Manual of Instructions. Refer to and follow them carefully.
2. The names of Special Agents are to be omitted. They must be deleted also from any signed statements submitted.
5. Secure authority to disseminate to the interested foreign government any information which was obtained from other agencies. Your cover communication must state this was done.
The established reputation of the Bureau within foreign agencies is a valuable asses. The manner in which this type of case is handled will largely determine the cooperation which we receive in turn from them. It is imperative, therefore, that these investigations and the reporting thereof meet the highest standards of the Bureau.
1 1 Documents originated with another Government These documents were referred to that for review and direct response to you, Pages contain information furnished by another Government You will be advised by the FBI as to the releasability of this information following our consultations with the other
Bufile 163-12664 Retention For appropriate For information optional faction Surep, by The enclosed is for your information. If used In a future report, conceal all sources, 1 paraphrase contents.
Enclosed are corrected pages from report of SA dated Remarks: Boston File 163-461.
Re: Boston airtel, January 7,1967. Following are the developments during pa st week.
bit SRATBOS were murdered in ganglaru style at Boston, Massachusetts this past fall 1 1 the all ed strangler, ALBERT DE SALVO, continues in Middlesex County Superior Court in connection with four assaults by DE SALVO. The defense has elicited testimony tha SALVO has admitted to being the strangler and is attempting ve hini found not guilty by reason of insanity. On this past Friday, January 13, 1967, the prosecution present secret witness who testified that DE SALVO told him he would make a great deal of money from numerous magazine and book articles in connection with the strangling.
Newspaper headlines in Boston during the past week carried a report that the Justice Department has a Flying Squad made up of members of various investigative agencies and they are going to investigate the in this area. According to newspaper reports, the prime target of the investigation in the Boston area will be RAYMOND Sr ATRIARCA. Newspaper articles stated that USA PAUL MARKHAM, Boston, advised that representative of the Justice Department had been in the' Boston area in approximately 12/66 in connection with this concentrated effort on the a Bureau ton Approved: Sent Per Special Agent in Charge Rev.
The f0l current foil are the developments dunn ApprovetH. FnTJArjr
Boston newspapers have been carrying numerous the possible removal SffflKmi.
a written opinion, Justice ARTHUR WHITTEMORE found that there was the possibility that if the so-called "Rogers Rule" had been in use at the time, there would have been unanimous medical opinion that the defendant was not criminally responsible.
Approved: Sent Agent in Charge paper, inmate over PLAIN TfiXT
On 9/20/65, the Boston Office furnished information received from froi Massachusetts Attorney General's office and the Boston Commissioner Police to the effect that local authorities believe they have identified the individual responsible for the eleven strangulation murders which have occurred the Boston area during the past several years*. The locaN authorities identified the suspect as one Albeit Hendry DeSalvo, currently incarcerated at the Bridgewater State Hospital in Ivlassachusetts. The I dentificatio Division has furnished a record (attached) under Number tefor one Albert Henrv DeSalvo.flMHMBBK A review of the Bureau's files located information furnished on 3/28/6 by the Boston Office, wherein DeSalvo was arrested by the Cambridge olice following a series of house breaks. At that time the local authorities advised DeSalvo posed as a talent scout for a modeling agency and if an attractive girl answered the door he would offer her a high-salary modeling jot if she passed a test which included his taking her body measurements. According to the policemen unattractive women answered the door he would plead he 0 had the wrong address and, further, if no one was home, DeSalvo would break into the residence. According to police, DeSalvo stated he did notiknow why he took woman's measurements but thought he was in need of medical attention.
Page(s) withheld entirely at this location in he file. One or more of the following statements, where EAjllHill Deleted under h-h. with no segregable material available for release to you.
I 1 Infonnation pertained only to a third party with no reference to you or the subject of your request i i information pertained only to a third party. Your name is listed in the title only.
FD-36 ta 5-22-64) Mr. Tn Be Mr. Mo Mr. Mr. Mr. Can Air, Date; 9-17-65 Mr.
inVGStiydtoi of Attorney General's Office, Boston, advised SA of the Boston Office who was over there on another natter, that they were pretty much satisfied that they had identified the I stated the Attorney General's Office had b'e-pn talking with this man and that he had picked out of a arge number of photos the ten women whom he had strangled. uiuxl cm person wnoin ne iiaa. jmurdered, the picture of whom was not in the group According to the information given to SA j.wiL, nci liuvi Liiav me oroxner ot one of the victims refused to give anyone a picture of his sister.
fcwho are working the matter ar at this stage, pretty much convinced that the individual committed these nlinas is one LBERT, HENDjffl PeSALVO.
had not talked to his man but that they had checked considerable of the informative they had obtained relative to hira an janyof the things tied in. He further stated that had heard reels of the interview and these reels contain many things.
that, would be known only to the strangler himself and would not be available to the public.
The above is for the information of the Bureau.
wit them et ed committing 13 hich niontf Bailey told ft, icide. only Whether or they had OT a reasonable
BETWEEN SIX SIXTYTWO AND ONE SIXTYFOUR THERE WERE A SERIES OF STRANGULATION MURDERS OF WOMEN IN GREATER BOSTON
WITH SAME MODUS OPERANDI INVOLVED. MOST VICTIMS WERE ELDERLY, LIVED ALONE AND WERE STRANGLED WITh'a SILK STOCKING.
ATTORNEY LEE 3AILE' THEN AGREED TO REPRESENT DE SALVO. 3AILEY AFTER INTERVIEWS OF DE SALVO, WAS CONVINCED HE WAS IN FACT THE STRANGLER, AND ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL JOHN
COULD INTERVIEW DE SALVO TO DETERMINE IF HE WAS I HE SUCH CONFESSIONS COULD NEVER BE USED AGAINST HIM
PROSECUTION. BOTTOMLY CONDUCTED EXTENSIVE TAPE INTERVIEWS DE SALVO AND REVIEW OF THESE TAPES BY COMPETENT INVESTIGATORS CONVINCED THEM THAT DE SALVO POSITIVELY HAD COMMITTED THESE MINERS
HAS STATED THAT NO ONE BUT THE MURDERER COULD HAVE FURNISHED THE MINUTE DETAILS, SOME OF WHICH EVEN WERE NOT KNOWN TO LAW ENFORCEMENT UNTIL HIS STORY WAS CHECKED OUT, DE SALVO CAN NEVER BE PROSECUTED FOR THESE MURDERS BUT IS NOW SERVING A LIFE SENTENCE AFTER CONVICTION IN STATE COURT IN MASSACHUSETTS FOR A SERIES OF RAPES. FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF STRANGLING VICTIMS FOR WHICH DE SALVO RESPONSIBLE: JUNE FOURTEEN SIXTYTWO MRS. ANNA SLESLER, FIFTYFIVE, SEVENTYSEVEN ST. BACK BAY, BOSTON JUNE THIRTY, SIXTYTWO MRS. NINA NICHOLS, SIXTYEIGHT, ONE NINE FOUR ZERO COMMONWEALTH AVE, BRIGHTON.
TO BUREAU INVOLVEMENT, ALL THESE MURDERS WERE COMMITTED LOCALLY A THERE WAS NO BUREAU JURISDICTION AND SUCH WAS UNDERSTOOD BY ASS ATTORNEY GENERAL OFFICE. AS A RESULT THERE WAS NEVER ANY REQUEST MADE OF BOSTON OFFICE FOR ENTRY INTO THE CASE WE DID COOPERATE WITH LOCAL AUTHORITIES TO THE EXTENT OF PASSING ON THEM THE NAMES OF VARIOUS SUSPECTS WHICH BECAUSE OF EXTENSIVE PUBLICITY, WERE FURNISHED TO OUR OFFICE AND OTHER OFFICES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY FROM MANY SOURCES. WE MAINTAINED COLSE LIAISON WITH OF VOLUME OF INFORMATION RECEIVED AND ONLY SERVICES RENDERED INVOLVED INDEXES CHECKS ON SUSPECTS AND EXPEDITING IDENTIFICATION DIVISION CHECKS.
The Cambridge, Massachusetts Police Department advised that Florence Street, Maiden, Massa chusetts, was' the Cambridge Police with being the tape measure" models agent who allegedly committed a series of house breaks DE SALVO pleaded innocent to two counts of burglary in East Cambridge District Court and was remanded to the jail in lieu of bail set by Judge HAVEN PARKER, who continued the case. 1 The Cambridge Police said that DE SALVO posed as a talert scout for a modeling agency. If a pretty girl answered his door bell ring, he would offer her a high salaried modeling job if she passed his measuring test, according to the charges. To unattractive women answering the bell, he would plead he had the wrong address, police said. They added that if he received no response, he break into the apartment.
Cambridge Police said that his downfall came when he tried to carole two sisters into submitting to his measuring. Suspicious, they notified police captured him at gunpoint.
DE SALVO told police that he was wounded while in the Army. He allegedly told them he did not know why he took woman's measure merits and they quoted him as saying he was in need of medical attention. DE SALVO was arrested by the Cambridge Police on March 18, FD-204 (Rev. 3-3-59)
processed Suspects under investigation. In November, 1965, nude female body, string had been tied around neck, found in Cheverly, Maryland.
This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It Is the property of the FBI and Is loaned to your agency; It and Its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.
By communication dated December 65 theBoston Off ice, advised that on December 16, 1965
House of Correction, Billerica, Massachusetts, revealecTthat ALBERT SALVO was confined, there from May 5, 1961.,. to April 9, 1962, at which time he was released on parole. Inasmuch as DE SALVO was confined during the murder of no further investigation of him as a suspect is contemplated at this time.