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 a crime, ethnic and military historian who teaches at Nunez Community College and Southern University of New Orleans. His previous works may be found in America’s Civil War, Civil War Illustrated and Globe Communications. 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.

by Alan G. Gauthreaux and D.G. Hippensteel

Foreword by Charles C. Foti, Jr.

Format: softcover (6×9)
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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