St. Aubin Street Massacre PT 1
Buried Bones - a historical true crime podcast with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes
Deep Dive
Why did the crowd gather at the Evangelist house after the murders were discovered?
The crowd gathered because the crime was so violent and dramatic, and in 1929, people relied on newspapers for information and often showed up at crime scenes to get a firsthand look, driven by their fascination with true crime.
Why does Paul think the attacker's use of an axe on the family members doesn't necessarily indicate a psychotic motive?
Paul notes that the use of an axe, while brutal, could have been due to its availability rather than a specific psychotic urge. Defensive wounds on victims suggest they were aware of the attack, not that the killer had a premeditated desire to amputate limbs.
Why was Benny's body found in a seemingly peaceful position, unlike the rest of the family?
Benny's body was found slumped in a chair with his hands folded as if in prayer, suggesting he might have been taken by surprise, controlled by the killer, or possibly under the influence of alcohol. The lack of defensive wounds on Benny adds to the mystery.
Why did the police initially consider the delivery company as a suspect in the St. Aubin Street Massacre?
The police thought the delivery company might have found out about Benny's wealth, planned to steal money, and killed the family to prevent them from reporting the theft. However, this theory was weak because no money was reported missing from the house.
Why did the police release Vincent Elias despite a matching thumbprint found at the crime scene?
Vincent Elias, Benny's real estate colleague, had a thumbprint that matched a bloodied print on the kitchen door. However, the print was not conclusive, and the police couldn't rule out that Vincent might have touched the door after discovering the bodies or that the print was a partial match overstretched by the examiner.
Why did the police find weapons in the barn of one of the two men who met Benny the night before the murders?
When the police searched the barn of one of the two men who met Benny the night before, they found weapons that could have inflicted the injuries seen on the family. This made them suspicious and a potential lead, but the case remains complex and more details will be revealed in the next episode.
- Kate is building a Victorian-style cottage in her backyard.
- Her goal is to create a dedicated workspace free from distractions.
- The project involves collecting antiques and creating a specific atmosphere.
Shownotes Transcript