The Axeman of New Orleans: A Jazz-Age Nightmare

From 1918 to 1919, a mysterious figure wielding an axe terrorized the streets of New Orleans. His victims were often asleep, his weapon usually their own, and his signature? A chilling letter promising to spare any home playing jazz music. In this one-hour deep dive, we unravel the full timeline of the Axeman’s reign—from the first brutal murders to the citywide panic, a jazz-fueled night of fear, and the haunting finale.

We’ll explore every key theory and suspect—including the rumored Mafia ties, a possible serial killer with a split personality, and the most talked-about suspect of all: the elusive Frank “Doc” Mumphrey. Along the way, we uncover the real New Orleans of the early 20th century: a city reeling from war, flu, crime, and cultural tension.

Was the Axeman a mob enforcer, a madman, or something even darker? And why did the killings suddenly stop?

Grab your headphones and jazz it up—because this is one case that’s equal parts mystery, mayhem, and music.

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