In my last blog post, we explored the crimes of the Cleveland Torso Murderer or the Mad Butcher of Kingsbury Run. Today, the case is considered “sorta-unsolved,” a classification created by Ryan and Shane, my favorite dynamic duo on Buzzfeed Unsolved Network. The case is considered to be partially solved because detective Eliot Ness collected astonishing circumstantial evidence that implicated a prime suspect. Despite the clues, however, the detective was not able to apprehend the suspect. Before we dive into the details, who exactly is Eliot Ness? If you recall, the last victims of the Cleveland Torso Murderer were found in front of the detective’s office window.
Back in the day, Eliot Ness was a “law enforcement legend.” He led the Untouchables, a group of special agents associated with the U.S. Bureau of Prohibition, and ended the illegal activities of mafias, crooked police, and labor racketeers. The Untouchables largely contributed to the fame of Eliot Ness due to the group’s uncorrupted efforts against Al Capone’s breweries during the Prohibition Era. As a result of the success and fame, Eliot Ness was pressured by authorities to catch the Cleveland Torso Murderer and the heat intensified as the murders progressed. After the last victims of the serial killer were placed in front of his house as a way to mock him, Ness panicked. Several days after the incident, Ness ordered authorities to scour the shantytowns for any evidence that would reveal a serial killer. During the investigation, 63 vagrants were arrested and entire shantytowns were burned to the ground, which was also ordered by Ness. The unethical response to the last victims of the serial killer ultimately ruined the detective’s reputation, but others have reasoned that the extreme action was intended to protect the vagrants from the murderer. Some believe that this opposing explanation is far fetched, but the more you think about it, the more it starts to sense. Despite the backlash that Eliot Ness faced in regard to the detainment of innocent vagrants and the vandalization of shantytowns, he led a secret investigation that uncovered chilling clues.
The secret suspect of Eliot Ness was Dr. Francis E. Sweeney. The doctor fit the profile of the serial killer and had the proper anatomical skills required for the dismemberment of human bodies. Dr. Sweeney ended his practice right before the Cleveland Torso Murders as well, which is suspicious. The doctor’s wife also claimed that he was an alcoholic, abusive, and would leave for days without any explanations. The doctor’s extended absences are another red flag. To make the matter even more interesting, Ness secretly apprehended Sweeney and privately interrogated him for 10 to 14 days in a hotel. During the interrogation, Sweeney was asked to take several polygraph tests, which he absolutely failed. Despite the evidence stacked against Sweeney, Ness had violated civil liberty laws by apprehending Sweeney without permission. In addition, Sweeny was the cousin of a congressman, which complicated the matter. As a result, Ness decided to let Sweeney go.
Guess what?
Several months after Sweeney was dismissed by Ness, the last two victims of the Cleveland Torso Murderer appeared in front of the detective’s house (quite the coincidence to say the least). Immediately after the last murders, Sweeney admitted himself into a mental institute. Can you guess what happened next? No more murders were committed by the Cleveland Torso Murderer.
So what do you think so far? Let me know in the comments section and be ready for Part 3 because there’s even more!
Wow… how interesting! Again, there are so many similarities between this case and the Zodiac case. I was surprised to see that there is another part on the way, and I am excited to see what else is revealed!! I find it interesting that the murder suspect was a Dr., just like the murderer in one of your previous blog entries. Is there some sort of underlying cause for this, like do doctors sometimes become empowered by their control over life and death, and think of themselves as “godlike?” This is all psychological and probably not true, considering like 0.0000000000001% of doctors are murderers, but it is still interesting to think about. Kind of reminds me of the Nazis Aktion-T4 where doctors were ordered to administer euthanasia on the mentally ill, elderly, alcoholics, and etc., and eventually claimed that their patients died of some other cause.
I LOVE BUZZFEED UNSOLVED!! This makes me want to binge-watch all their videos because I haven’t watched one in a while (well.. maybe after I finish all my homework haha). Ugh, this blog is leaving me in suspense. It really annoys me how there are people clearly suspects, but nothing can be done! I understand innocent until proven guilty but like ughhhh. Also, it was super interesting to learn more about the detective this time around! I know this is a blog about killers, but seeing some backstory on the ones risking their lives to try and figure things out is crazy. It sucks that the pressure got to him and he was burning innocent people’s livings down, especially people who are already struggling, but his investigation after seems like something from a movie. Cant wait for part 3!
Murder cases like these never fail to amaze me. No, I don’t like murders, but it’s absolutely crazy how the murderers were never arrested especially when there is SO much evidence stacked against them. Of course though with Sweeney being a doctor and having a Congressman cousin, there was not much of a chance of him getting arrested anyways. You almost can’t blame Ness for taking matters into his own hands and interrogating Sweeney himself. I’m excited for Part 3! Btw, I love the reference to Buzzfeed Unsolved!