Albert DeSalvo is a name that still sends chills down the spine of true crime fans and history buffs alike. Whether you're a casual reader or someone deeply into unsolved mysteries, the story of Albert DeSalvo and his alleged connection to the Boston Strangler case is one that lingers long after you've read the last page. In the 1960s, a wave of fear swept across Boston as a serial killer struck time and again, leaving behind a trail of horror. DeSalvo, a man with a troubled past and a criminal record, would eventually confess to the killings — but the story is far from cut and dried.

So, just who was Albert DeSalvo, and why does his name still pop up decades later? Was he truly the Boston Strangler, or did he take the fall for someone else? There’s more to this story than meets the eye, and we’re going to take a deep dive into the life, crimes, and unanswered questions surrounding one of America’s most infamous killers.

While many people know the name “Boston Strangler,” few may be aware of the full, unsettling details of Albert DeSalvo’s life and the crimes he’s known to have committed. Let’s explore the man behind the mask and the mystery that still surrounds his story today.

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Table of Contents

1. Biography of Albert DeSalvo
2. Personal Details and Bio Data
3. The Crimes: From Rapes to the Boston Strangler Confession
4. The Confession That Changed Everything
5. The Trial and Life Behind Bars
6. Unanswered Questions and Theories
7. Frequently Asked Questions

Biography of Albert DeSalvo

Albert Henry DeSalvo was born on September 3, 1931, in Chelsea, Massachusetts. From a young age, he was no stranger to trouble. He grew up in a rough household and had a troubled relationship with both of his parents, especially his father, who was an alcoholic and often violent. His mother, too, was known to sell his body to neighbors for small favors, which likely played a role in shaping the man he would become.

DeSalvo’s criminal record began early. By the time he was a teenager, he had already been in and out of juvenile detention centers. He joined the Army for a short time but was eventually dishonorably discharged. His life spiraled further downward from there, and by the early 1960s, he was known for breaking into homes across New England and sexually assaulting women. He even earned a nickname — the “Green Man” — because of the green felt cape he wore during some of these attacks.

But it was in 1965, while he was locked up in a state mental hospital on rape charges, that he shocked the world by confessing to a much darker string of crimes — the murders of 13 women in the Boston area. That’s when the name “Boston Strangler” became forever linked to Albert DeSalvo.

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Personal Details and Bio Data

The Crimes: From Rapes to the Boston Strangler Confession

Long before Albert DeSalvo admitted to being the Boston Strangler, he was already known to the police for a string of sexual assaults. Between 1962 and 1964, a wave of panic hit Boston and the surrounding areas. A man — often described as tall, wearing a cape, and with a disheveled look — was breaking into homes and attacking women. DeSalvo would later admit to being that man, the so-called “Green Man,” who left victims terrified but alive.

But the real fear came from a different series of crimes. Between 1962 and 1964, 13 women were found dead in their homes, each having been strangled. The killer was never found, but the city was on high alert. The press dubbed the killer the “Boston Strangler,” and for two years, the killer remained at large. The murders stopped as suddenly as they started, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions.

Then, in 1965, while serving time in a mental hospital for unrelated rape charges, Albert DeSalvo confessed to being the Boston Strangler. His confession was detailed and chilling, describing how he had broken into homes, subdued his victims, and strangled them — often taking photos of the bodies afterward. His confession came as a shock to both the public and law enforcement, who had never found solid evidence to link a suspect to the murders.

The Confession That Changed Everything

Albert DeSalvo’s confession to being the Boston Strangler was as disturbing as it was dramatic. He described in detail how he had killed 13 women, often breaking into their homes and waiting for them to fall asleep before striking. He claimed he was driven by a compulsion he couldn’t control — a dark urge that grew stronger with each passing day.

What makes this confession even more controversial is that DeSalvo later recanted parts of it. He claimed he had made the confession to gain attention and possibly a lighter sentence. His attorney, too, cast doubt on the truthfulness of the confession, saying that DeSalvo had a history of exaggeration and mental instability.

Still, his words painted a picture so vivid and specific that many believed him. He described details only the killer could have known — like the placement of bodies, personal items in the homes, and even the way the victims were posed after death. Despite the lack of physical evidence, the confession was enough for authorities to close the case. Or so it seemed.

The Trial and Life Behind Bars

Despite confessing to the murders, Albert DeSalvo was never officially tried for the Boston Strangler killings. Instead, he was sentenced to life in prison for the rapes he committed before his arrest. On January 18, 1967, he was locked away in the Bridgewater State Hospital, a maximum-security psychiatric facility in Massachusetts.

While behind bars, DeSalvo continued to attract attention. He was a subject of psychological studies and was interviewed extensively about his crimes. Some experts believed he was a classic case of a man with severe mental illness, while others thought he was simply a manipulator who enjoyed the notoriety.

His time in prison came to a violent end on November 25, 1973. DeSalvo was stabbed to death by another inmate, Joseph Roy, during a routine shift change. The motive remains unclear, but some theories suggest it was a hit ordered by someone connected to one of his victims. His death left behind more questions than answers and reopened the debate about whether he was truly the Boston Strangler or just a man who wanted to be remembered.

Unanswered Questions and Theories

Even decades later, the case of Albert DeSalvo and the Boston Strangler remains shrouded in mystery. For starters, there was no DNA evidence linking him directly to any of the murders. In fact, in 2013, DNA from a relative of Mary Sullivan, one of the victims, was matched to a man named George Nassar — not DeSalvo — which reignited the debate about whether DeSalvo was truly responsible for all the killings.

Some people believe DeSalvo may have been an accomplice or that he took the fall for someone else. Others argue that his mental state made his confession unreliable. There are even conspiracy theories suggesting that he was part of a larger network of criminals or that authorities used his confession to close a high-profile case quickly.

What’s clear is that the Boston Strangler case is far from settled. True crime enthusiasts continue to explore every angle, and new evidence or testimonies occasionally surface. Whether Albert DeSalvo was the real killer or not, his name remains forever tied to one of the most chilling chapters in American criminal history.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was Albert DeSalvo the real Boston Strangler?

Albert DeSalvo confessed to being the Boston Strangler in 1965, but he later recanted parts of his confession. There was no DNA evidence linking him directly to the murders until recent years. In 2013, DNA from one victim was linked to a different man, casting doubt on whether DeSalvo was the sole perpetrator.

How many women did Albert DeSalvo kill?

DeSalvo claimed responsibility for the murders of 13 women between 1962 and 1964. These killings are attributed to the Boston Strangler. However, due to lack of concrete evidence and his later recanting, the exact number remains debated.

How did Albert DeSalvo die?

Albert DeSalvo was stabbed to death in prison on November 25, 1973, by a fellow inmate named Joseph Roy. The motive for the attack remains unclear, but some believe it was related to his crimes or that he was silenced by someone connected to the case.

For more on unsolved mysteries and infamous criminals, learn more about other true crime cases on our site. If you're interested in the psychology of serial killers, check out this deep dive into criminal minds.