Ep 3. San Francisco Slaughter

Mysteryquest Season 1 Episode 3, titled "San Francisco Slaughter," is an electrifying exploration into one of the strangest and most horrific unsolved crimes in American history. The episode takes viewers on a chilling journey through San Francisco's dark past as they attempt to unravel the mystery behind the city's infamous Axeman Murders.

The Axeman Murders were a series of brutal killings that terrorized the residents of New Orleans and San Francisco during the early 20th century. The murders were particularly gruesome, with the killer often using an ax to bludgeon his victims to death. What made the crimes even more bizarre was the fact that the Axeman would often break into his victims' homes in the dead of night, play a tune on their pianos, and then flee the scene. Despite an intense manhunt, the Axeman was never caught, and his identity remains a mystery to this day.

In "San Francisco Slaughter," the Mysteryquest team travels to California to investigate the Axeman Murders, focusing primarily on the string of killings that took place in San Francisco between 1917 and 1918. The episode is packed with dramatic re-enactments, expert interviews, and cutting-edge forensic analysis as the team attempts to shed light on this perplexing case.

The episode begins by introducing viewers to the Axeman's first victim in San Francisco, an Italian immigrant named Jennie Vincow. On the night of May 27, 1918, Vincow was brutally attacked in her home and died from her injuries. The team examines the crime scene in great detail, using modern forensic techniques to attempt to uncover new evidence that might help identify the killer.

As the investigation continues, the team discovers that there were several other victims of the Axeman in San Francisco, including a couple named Sam and Esther Leone and a grocer named Joe Cordova. The murders were all similar in nature, and many of the victims were Italian immigrants like Vincow. The team speculates that the killer may have been motivated by a deep-seated prejudice against Italian-Americans.

One of the highlights of the episode is an interview with author Michael Newton, who has written extensively about the Axeman Murders. Newton provides valuable insight into the mindset of the killer and the challenges that investigators faced in trying to catch him.

The Mysteryquest team also interviews descendants of some of the victims, who offer personal insights into the impact that the murders had on their families. The team's investigation takes them to various locations throughout San Francisco, including the homes of victims and the former site of the San Francisco Police Department's homicide bureau.

Throughout the episode, the team utilizes a variety of investigative techniques to try to crack the case. They analyze old newspaper clippings, conduct DNA testing on evidence from the victims' homes, and even attempt to recreate the sound of the Axeman's infamous tune using period instruments. While they don't solve the case, the team does uncover several intriguing pieces of evidence that could help authorities one day identify the killer.

Overall, "San Francisco Slaughter" is a fascinating episode of Mysteryquest that sheds light on one of the most perplexing unsolved crimes in American history. The episode is expertly crafted, combining historical research with high-tech forensic analysis and dramatic re-enactments to create a compelling and suspenseful investigation. Fans of true crime and mysteries are sure to be engrossed by this electrifying look into the Axeman Murders.