Summary
Overview
In this special Halloween episode, hosts Ash, Alaina, and returning guest astrologer Aliza discuss the chilling case of the Axeman of New Orleans (1918-1919) through an astrological lens. They explore the brutal attacks, the infamous jazz letter, and remarkable planetary alignments connecting this case to Jack the Ripper. The discussion reveals fascinating patterns around the '22-degree signature,' Saturn-Neptune conjunctions during pandemics, and ultimately identifies Frank 'Doc' Mumphrey as the prime suspect—a case that ended when he was killed by one of his victim's widows in Hollywood.
Introduction and Setting the Spooky Season Mood
The hosts reunite for their third annual October tradition, embracing sequins, whimsy, and discussions about wearing whatever makes you happy despite societal judgment. They reflect on how embracing frivolity and romanticizing life feels essential, especially during challenging times. The conversation touches on their personal style philosophies, astrological influences on fashion choices, and the importance of not caring what others think—all while setting a lighthearted tone before diving into the dark subject matter.
- This marks the third year of their annual October spooky tradition together
- Discussion of embracing whimsy and frivolity as a response to difficult times
- Aliza shares she's related to Corey Giles from the Salem Witch Trials, who cursed the sheriff's office
" I'm showing up to the end of the world whimsically. "
The Axeman Case Overview and Historical Context
The hosts outline the Axeman of New Orleans case, which spanned from May 1918 to October 1919 with 12 total attacks and 6 confirmed deaths. The killer primarily targeted Italian-American grocers, entering homes by chiseling through door panels and using victims' own axes. The case occurred during the Spanish Influenza pandemic, which significantly impacted how much attention these murders received—a parallel the hosts can now understand having lived through COVID-19.
- The Axeman's reign of terror lasted from May 1918 to October 1919 with nearly a kill per month at peak activity
- New Orleans was the epicenter of Spanish Influenza during a 12-week stretch in fall 1918, coinciding with the murders
- The pandemic likely caused this case to receive less attention than it deserved, similar to how news cycles worked during COVID
- The signature method involved chiseling through the bottom panel of doors to gain entry
" It's so Jack the Ripper coded, but it was, I do believe because there was a pandemic going on. And in the same way, like, you know, now that we have lived through it, we know that in those 2020, 2021 years, there were a lot of things that kind of just like got, didn't get as much attention as they would have. "
📚 10 more sections below
Sign up to unlock the complete summary with all insights, key points, and quotes
Get this summary + all future Morbid episodes in your inbox
100% Free • Unsubscribe Anytime
Sign up now and we'll send you the complete summary of this episode, plus get notified when new Morbid episodes are released—delivered straight to your inbox within minutes.