Dark Bayou

This collection chronicles the most mysterious, bizarre and often overlooked homicides in Louisiana history. Drawing on contemporary records and, where available, the recollections of those who provide a coherent version of the facts, these mesmerizing tales detail some of the more gruesome episodes: the rise of the first Mafia godfather in the United States; the murder of two New Orleans police chiefs; the brutal murder of a famous New Orleans madam; the story of a respectable young woman who “accidentally” poisoned her younger sister and is a suspect in other family deaths; the ritual killing of blacks in southwestern Louisiana and eastern Texas; the mysterious death of a young housewife which still generates debate; and the demise of a local celebrity who believed in his own invincibility.

Alan G. Gauthreaux is an adjunct instructor of history at Nunez Community College in Chalmette, Louisiana. He has written numerous historical articles in the true crime and military history fields. He lives in Kenner, Louisiana.

D.G. Hippensteel is a full-time criminal justice faculty member at Delgado Community College in New Orleans. He is a Louisiana state certified peace officer having served with the Orleans Parish Criminal Sheriff’s Office and the reserve division for the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. A decorated Vietnam combat veteran, he lives in Marrero, Louisiana.

Alan G. Gauthreaux and D.G. Hippensteel
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 212
Bibliographic Info: 25 photos, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2016
pISBN: 978-1-4766-6295-4
eISBN: 978-1-4766-2296-5
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments  ix

Foreword by Charles C. Foti, Jr.  1

Preface  3

Introduction  5

The First Godfather  7

The Other Assassinated Chiefs  22

The Madam’s Last Will  40

The Case of the Human Five  52

A Respectable Poisoner  65

The Mysterious Case of Dr. Weiss  76

Louisiana Burning  110

Deadly Friendship  135

The Final Broadcast  163

Chapter Notes  183

Bibliography  197

Index  201

• “Examines some of the more bizarre and mysterious murders in Louisiana history”—The Times-Picayune
• “Using contemporary records, and interviews with those involved, the authors explore lesser-known murders that have avoided serious inquiry, some of which still raise debate today”—ProtoView

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