The consumption of true crime stories in today’s media has spawned a segment of society that is drawn to these dark tales of humanity. Documentaries, podcasts, and content from social media influencers create a vortex of fascination around the grisly subject. Amongst the various themes encompassed by true crime media, serial killers have consistently held a particular place of intrigue for audiences, with whispers of Louisiana housing a surprising number of them.
There’s a grim catalogue of serial killers from Louisiana who have committed their atrocities within the state lines. Unraveling these tales of darkness and horror can be unnerving.
The ‘Axeman of New Orleans’ looms large in the annals of Louisiana’s grim history. From May 1918 to October 1919, this ominous figure spread terror throughout New Orleans. At large on the city’s horizon, this killer targeted unsuspecting victims, dispatching them with a crude yet lethal hand axe. Six people ultimately met their untimely fate at the hands of this elusive monster, and six more were injured.
Despite efforts to apprehend the Axeman, authorities were unable to bring him to justice. His terrifying reign of terror came to a halt seemingly of its own accord, with his final terrifying assault recorded on October 27, 1919.
Nathaniel Code took infamy to new highs as a serial killer who terrorized Shreveport. Between 1984 and 1987, eight individuals met their untimely end at the hands of Code, victims of stabbings, shootings, or strangulations. Insights into Code’s spree came to light when he was apprehended in 1987 on charges of multiple murders.
In his court case, prosecutors presented evidence they believed implicated Code in eight killings. However, the court found Code guilty for the murder of four individuals, a conviction that led him to the sentencing table, where he received capital punishment.
Then there is Ronald Dominique, a name embedded in the annals of brutal crime. Known as the ‘Bayou Blue serial killer’, Dominique was charged with the horrific rape and murder of around 23 men in South Louisiana. His gruesome killing spree spanned a span of ten years, from 1997 to 2006.
Dominique’s fall came in 2006 when he was arrested, and two years later he pleaded guilty to eight counts of murder. His punishment was to serve eight life sentences consecutively, essentially condemning him to remain behind bars until his death.
Mose Gibson emerged from a life of small-scale crime to become a serial killer who claimed the lives of at least seven people. Gibson’s criminal rap sheet commenced in Baton Rouge with a minor crime in 1904, however, his murder spree led him across different states.
His brutal end came after he beat Roy Trapp to death with a hammer in 1920. Gibson met his fate at the gallows where he faced execution by hanging. At the time of his execution, he was linked to a series of murders and burglaries across the country.
Sean Vincent Gillis claimed the lives of eight women in Baton Rouge in a horrifying spree of sexual violence and murder. His trail of death stretches from 1994 until his arrest in 2004. Once in custody, Gillis was initially charged with three counts of first-degree murder. Yet, the full extent of his murderous acts came to light when he confessed to killing five other women.
Warren Harris left an indelible scar on New Orleans’ French Quarter as a serial killer. He was accused of murder after four people were brutally stabbed and killed between February and April of 1977. Despite him being charged for four murders, Harris was found guilty of three, leading to three life sentences without parole.
However, in a twist of fate in 2021, Harris was reconsidered for parole due to his young age at the time of the crimes. His parole was granted in 2024, exasperating many hooked on to his case.
Then there’s Mary Jane Jackson, infamously regarded as ‘Bricktop’, a feminine blight on New Orleans during 1856 to 1861. Jackson ended the lives of four acquaintances, using a knife as her weapon of choice. She served only a fraction of her ten-year sentence for a single count of murder and was released in 1861 as the city found itself under new governance.
The list is far from exhaustive, with other notorious figures such as Derrick Todd Lee, the Baton Rouge serial killer; John Peter Malveaux, a serial killer and rapist from Opelousas; Eric Matthews who strangled four victims across different states; and Robert Lee Willie, a kidnapper, and rapist convicted for committing multiple crimes, all painting a grim picture of Louisiana’s brush with serial killers.