Episode 98: A Predator Among Us: The Dayton Strangler Murders

In the early 1900s, Dayton, Ohio, was a place of optimism, innovation, and rapid growth. Known for its booming industry and notable residents, like the Wright brothers, Dayton stood as a beacon of American progress. But between 1900 and 1909, this spirited city faced a terror that would forever tarnish its legacy: a string of brutal murders that left five young women dead and a community gripped by fear. This is the story of the Dayton Strangler, a predator who hunted in the heart of the Midwest and whose crimes remain unsolved.

As Dayton thrived, its streets bustling with skilled workers, inventors, and laborers, the city was not immune to the darker side of urbanization. Alongside its prosperity, it faced the same challenges many growing cities did: crowded living conditions, increased crime, and tension between social classes. Still, Dayton was known for its close-knit community, a place where neighbors looked out for one another. That sense of security would soon be shattered.

The horror started with the murder of 11-year-old Ada Lantz in 1900. When her body was discovered in her own family’s yard, bruised and broken, the city was horrified. As the years passed, similar cases emerged, each victim meeting a tragic fate at the hands of an unknown assailant. Each victim had been brutally beaten, raped, and strangled, their deaths bearing hauntingly similar details, such as missing items of clothing—a calling card, perhaps, of their murderer.

By 1909, as more young women fell prey to this faceless killer, investigators began to suspect a single, terrifying hand was responsible. The press, struggling to convey the depth of horror these crimes caused, dubbed him “Jack the Strangler,” drawing a chilling comparison to London’s infamous Jack the Ripper.

Dayton’s spirit changed as the murders continued. The city streets, once lively and welcoming, grew quiet as women and families feared venturing out alone. Church attendance among women dwindled, and nightfall cast an eerie silence over the town. Dayton, once a symbol of American progress, became a city haunted by fear.

Investigators pursued every lead, but each time, the clues seemed to vanish as quickly as they appeared. Innocent people were wrongly accused, like David Curtis, a local man who was mentally challenged and often in trouble with the law. Under pressure, Curtis confessed to the murder of one of the young women, only to later recant his confession, claiming coercion. Eventually, he was released, but the sense of justice eluded Dayton’s residents.

As the police looked for answers, parallels emerged between the Dayton murders and similar killings in nearby Cincinnati, raising the possibility of a serial killer active in the region. Yet, despite all efforts, no one was ever convicted for the Dayton Strangler murders.