How many did the 'Boston Strangler' murder? Killer sexually assaulted victims before choking them

Hulu's 'Boston Strangler' is written and directed by Matt Ruskin and stars Keira Knightley, Carrie Coon and David Dastmalchian
PUBLISHED MAR 16, 2023
An official poster of Hulu's 'Boston Strangler' which is based on the killings by Albert DeSalvo (Getty Images)
An official poster of Hulu's 'Boston Strangler' which is based on the killings by Albert DeSalvo (Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Hulu is gearing up for the release of 'Boston Strangler', which depicts the nerve-chilling, real-life story of Albert DeSalvo, who was accused of several sexual crimes and purportedly confessed to the murders of several women in the early 1960s.

'Boston Strangler' is written and directed by Matt Ruskin and stars Keira Knightley as Loretta McLaughlin, Carrie Coon as Jean Cole, Chris Cooper as Jack Maclaine, Alessandro Nivola as Detective Conley, Rory Cochrane as Detective DeLine, David Dastmalchian as Albert DeSalvo, Peter Gerety as Eddie Corsetti, Ryan Winkles as Daniel Marsh, Morgan Spector as James McLaughlin, Michael Malvesti as Detective Donovan, Aurora McLaughlin as Maggie and Liam Anderson as Tommy.

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Who was 'Boston Strangler'?

'Boston Strangler' was one of the most notorious serial killers in America, who terrorized Boston, from the year 1962 to 1964. In an unrelated case, Albert DeSalvo was arrested in 1964 for assault, burglary and sex offences, but was not connected to the 'Boston Strangler' crimes. It was DeSalvo's voluntary confession in the 1967 trial that exposed him as the 'Boston Strangler' - much to the scepticism of the DA 's office, which thought the crimes were committed by several persons. However, the evidence from DeSalvo's last victim Mary Sullivan proved his guilt.   

Self-confessed Boston Strangler Albert DeSalvo stands in jail (Getty Images)
Self-confessed Boston Strangler Albert DeSalvo stands in jail (Getty Images)

Victims of 'Boston Strangler'

There were a total of 13 victims who were murdered, with many subjected to sexual assaults. Most of the victims were sexually assaulted and then strangled in their apartments. The victims of the crime include Anna Slesers, a 55-year-old woman, who was found at 77 Gainsborough Street, Boston on June 14, 1962. Mary Mullen, aged 85, was found at 1435 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston on June 28, 1962. Nina Nichols, who was 68 years old, was found at 1940 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston on June 30, 1962. Helen Blake, 65, was found at 73 Newhall Street, Lynn on June 30, 1962. Ida Irga, who was 75 years old, was found at 7 Grove Street, Boston on August 19, 1962. Jane Sullivan, who was 67, was found on 435 Columbia Road, Boston on August 21, 1962. Twenty-year-old Sophie Clark was found at 315 Huntington Avenue, Boston on December 5, 1962. A 23-old-woman, Patricia Bissette, was found at 515 Park Drive, Boston on December 31, 1962.

Mary Brown, a 69-year-old woman, was found at 319 Park Street, Lawrence on March 6, 1963. Beverly Samans, 23, was found at 515 Park Drive, Boston on May 6, 1963. A 57-year-old woman, Evelyn Corbin, was found at 224 Lafayette Street, Salem on September 8, 1963. Joann Graff, 23, was found at 54 Essex Street, Lawrence on November 23, 1963. Mary Sullivan, aged 19, was found at 44-A Charles Street, Boston on January 4, 1964.



 

What is Hulu's 'Boston Strangler' about?

The official synopsis of 'Boston Strangler' from Hulu reads, "The film follows Loretta McLaughlin (Keira Knightley), a reporter for the Record-American newspaper, who becomes the first journalist to connect the Boston Strangler murders. As the mysterious killer claims more and more victims, Loretta attempts to continue her investigation alongside colleague and confidante Jean Cole (Carrie Coon), yet the duo finds themselves stymied by the rampant sexism of the era. Nevertheless, McLaughlin and Cole bravely pursue the story at great personal risk, putting their own lives on the line in their quest to uncover the truth."

'Boston Strangler' is set to premiere exclusively on Hulu on March 17, 2023.

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