50 Cases: #13 - Illinois - William Heirens

This post is part of our 50 Cases of America series. View more cases in this series here.

Quick Facts

Nicknames or Aliases: The Lipstick Killer

Offender Status: Died in Prison

MO: kidnapping, stabbing, mutilation

Timespan of Crimes: 1945-1946

Date Apprehended: June 26, 1946

Date of Incarceration: August 7, 1946

Sentence: three life terms

Case Status: Closed

Number of Victims: 3

Victims: Josephine Ross, Frances Brown, and Suzanne Degnan

Location of Crimes: Chicago, Illinois

Summary of William Heirens’ Crimes

On June 5, 1945, Josephine Ross (43) was found dead in her Chicago apartment. She was found with multiple stab wounds and a dress wrapped around her head. She was holding a fistful of dark hairs in her hand. Nothing was stolen. Police could not identify a dark-complexioned man reportedly seen loitering nearby or running away.

On December 10, 1945, Frances Brown was found dead in her apartment. She'd been shot in the head and had a knife lodged in her neck. Nothing was stolen. A message, written in lipstick, read: "For heavens Sake catch me Before I kill more I cannot control myself."

Evidence found by police included a fingerprint in blood by the front door. Witnesses heard gunshots around 4am. At one point, the suspect was briefly believed to be a woman by Chicago Police.

On January 7, 1946, Suzanne Degnan (6) was discovered missing from her bedroom in Edgewater, Chicago. A ladder was found outside of her apartment window with a note stating, "Get $20,000 ready & wait for my word. Do not notify the FBI or police. Bills are in 5's & 10's. Burn this for her safety."

Repeated ransom calls at the Degnan residence and a ransom note sent to Edward Kelly, Chicago's Mayor at the time, triggered a series of random tips from the community. After taking a chance on those tips, police found various body parts belonging to Suzanne in sewers and storm drains near the Degnan house.