richard cottingham trophy room

Lives that never came to fruition. Nicole Linton appears in Los Angeles County Superior Court for her arraignment on murder charges . Jacalyn "Jackie" Harp, aged 13, was randomly ambushed as she walked home in the evening of July 17, 1968, from school band practice in Midland Park and strangled with the leather strap of her bag. They were three teenagers who became Cottingham's victims between 1968 and 1969. Richard Cottingham has confessed to a number of other murders in recent years. Once he had his fill, Richard decided to light the bodies on fire and flee the scene. Unfortunately that would not be the case. He also confessed under immunity to the 1968 and 1969 homicides of New Jersey teenagers Jackie Harp, Irene Blase, and Denise Falasca. richard cottingham trophy room. During the session the man would insist, "You have to take it. Richard Cottingham by his own admission claims to have killed upwards of 100 women and remains a suspect in dozens of unsolved cases. [3], Richard Francis Cottingham was born on November 25, 1946, in the Mott Haven neighborhood of the Bronx in New York City, the first of four children. Cops eventually tied him to the crime when they found Reyner's necklace among his 'trophies.' Lives that never came to fruition. The young lady explained how she had arrived in New York earlier that week and was quickly taken advantage of, becoming victim to the number of pimps in the area and trafficked into sex work. Its also unclear whether or not he continued to do so. As they burst into room 417, they saw two badly burned bodies on the twin beds. Youre in complete control of somebodys destiny.. He pleaded innocent and for decades insisted he was being "framed", until admitting in 2009 that he had actually perpetrated those five murders. He said that uncountable times.. The other headless corpse was never identified. In May 1981, Cottingham was convicted on fifteen felony counts related to the murder of Valerie Street, drawing a sentence of 173 to 197 years in prison. In addition to multiple murder counts, Richard Francis Cottingham was linked with the brutal abduction and rape of three surviving victims including two prostitutes and a young housewife during 1978. Her body would be left in the room and subsequently set ablaze by Cottingham before fleeing the scene. After failing to return home from a trip to buy shoes at the Green Acres Mall in Valley Stream, New York,[9] 23-year old Diane Cusick was found raped, beaten, and strangled to death in the back seat of her car, parked near the mall. They bodies also had their hands removed. Beneath the happy exterior lurked an incredibly dangerous and vicious animal. Were not ruling out the possibility that two men could have been involved.. The other girls did, you have to take it too. He would stalk the various bars in Manhattan preying on unsuspecting women, trying to unwind from a busy day. Did he intend on killing this poor girl? She had been beaten and strangled then stuffed under the bed of the room. He had three children, two boys and a girl, with his wife. When they entered the room they found a young girl handcuffed to the bed. O'Dell's muffled cries of pain became so loud that the motel staff, already uneased by the previous two murders of Carr and Street, called police and then rushed to the room demanding that Cottingham open the door. Richard kept things like jewelry and trinkets as souvenirs from the slayings. Although Cottingham has formally admitted to eighteen killings and has claimed to have killed as many as 100, he is known to have only murdered seventeen girls between 1967 and 1980 and attempted to kill a further four. Richard had abducted the woman and brought her to a hotel. He has officially been charged with 11 murders but according to Cottingham himself, has committed as many as 105 total slayings over the course of his homicidal career - 80 of which he described as 'perfect murders.'. He said the other girls took it, and I had to take it, too. Once in custody the man would be identified as Richard Francis Cottingham a father of 3 from Lodi, New Jersey. The story of the Torso Killer began on Dec. 2, 1979, when firefighters were called to the Travel Inn near Times Square. Richard Cottingham, 74, is currently in state prison on a life sentence for other murders. A serial killer known as the "Torso Killer" already convicted of 11 homicides admitted on Monday that he also killed five women on Long Island in the late 60s and early 70s. In December 2019, forensic historian and author Peter Vronsky, on the eve of publishing the revelation in his second edition of Serial Killers: The Method and Madness of Monsters, publicized the confessions with the BCPO's cooperation, in a community meeting in Midland Park. Dominick Volpe, a former colleague at BlueCross BlueShield, testifies to Cottingham's perverse sexual tendencies. 'It was pretty much the hotel room from hell,' said detective Malcolm Reiman in the documentary. The women left in the room had been strangled, their heads and hands cut off, before the killer doused them both with lighter fluid and fled. She was also the mother of a then-four-year-old girl. Both 1974 cases would be dismissed. It contained many items that linked him to the murders. When police arrived they caught a man trying to flee the room. According to The Associated Press, Cottingham confessed to. It is believed that she was his first victim, In 2021Cottingham confessed and pleaded guilty to the double kidnapping and murders of Lorraine Marie Kelly, 16 and Mary Ann Pryor, 17 in 1974. Cottingham was arrested and put on trial, where he initially denied his acts of violence. Without heads and hands, authorities were unable to identify the victims. The crime scene was particularly gruesome. 'It was a game to me. But just a week later, police were able to apprehend him back at the Quality Inn when his would-be victim Leslie Ann ODell screamed for help. On May 22, 1980, Cottingham picked up Leslie Ann O'Dell in Midtown Manhattan and dragged her back to the same New Jersey motel where he mutilated his last victim just 18 days earlier. Goodarzi was only 22 when she was killed, beheaded and set on fire. The Full Story Of The Hamilton-Burr Duel And The Tragic Death Of Alexander Hamilton, The Full Story Behind Columbine High School Shooters Eric Harris And Dylan Klebold, What Stephen Hawking Thinks Threatens Humankind The Most, 27 Raw Images Of When Punk Ruled New York, Join The All That's Interesting Weekly Dispatch. During a court appearance Tuesday, 74-year-old Richard Cottingham, also known as the "Torso Killer," pleaded guilty and admitted he kidnapped and raped the girls, then drowned them in a motel room . It was mainly psychological. This time, he strangled and slit the throat of 25-year-old Jean Reyner, a single mother who had been working as a call girl to finance a custody battle. He was sentenced to 173 to 197 years, which he is currently serving in Trenton's New Jersey State Prison. Former FBI agent and criminal profiler Candice DeLong delves into Richard Cottingham, the Torso Killer. In December 1979, Richard had tortured, raped, and killed Deedeh Goodarzi and an unidentified teenager (Jane Doe) in a hotel in New York. Then in exchange for immunity from prosecution, he confessed to murdering three New Jersey schoolgirls. Subscribe to our mailing list and get interesting stuff and updates to your email inbox. [18], During the early 1980s, Cottingham was convicted of five murders in two separate New Jersey trials in 1981[19] and 1982,[20] and in a single New York trial in 1984 for three murders. With that in mind, many investigators as well as the hotel staff had a lingering question. In his possession were handcuffs, a leather gag, two slave collars, a switchblade, replica pistols and a stockpile of sedatives. Once again, the victim did not appear in further proceedings and the case was dismissed.[6]. He would be charged with the murders of most of his victims in New Jersey and in New York City. He was with Leslie ODell, a teenage sex worker. Three of those murders Cottingham later confessed to included Jacalyn Harp. He would grow up in a typical catholic household. Haunted by a handful of unsolved New Jersey homicides, Detective Robert Anzilotti began to wonder if Cottingham had killed more people than police knew. Richard Cottingham, serial killer from New Jersey operating in New York between 1967 and 1980. Biting, raping and beating the girl. Police had no suspects and the case quickly grew cold, collecting dust in a file for years. We may, at no cost to you, receive a commission for purchases made through these links. In his possession police found a murder kit which consisted of handcuffs, leather gags, slave collars, knives, pistols, and pills. Was this man, the same man who committed the similar brutal crime? They increasingly became louder and louder as time went on. Over there, he began to torture and rape her repeatedly. [3], Cottingham was arrested on several lesser charges throughout his killing spree. She had been beaten, raped, sodomized and forced at knife point to give the man a blow job. A few months later he would be charged with robbery and sodomy. Crime Scene: The Times Square Killer will stream on Netflix starting Dec. 29. Ailing serial killer Richard Cottingham a.k.a. In April 1978, after his wife had initiated divorce proceedings, he kept a locked room in a basement apartment of the house in which they lived in Lodi, New Jersey. [12] Both bodies had their hands and heads removed, and had been doused with lighter fluid and set on fire. Later on, Richard took a job with Blue Cross Blue Shield in New York as a computer operator. One more detail about this case was that the severed body parts of the two women were never located and are still a mystery as to what Richard did with them. Cottingham later described his motives as a game and mainly psychological., I was able to get almost any woman to do whatever I wanted them to do, psychologically, he said decades after being found guilty of five murders. Leslie Ann ODell recalled what had happened and how things escalated so quickly. And, thanks to a dogged New Jersey detective, the Times Square Killer has confessed to a number of additional murders. But Cottinghams depravity was much deeper than police realized at the time of his arrest. Investigators were again able to quickly link this murder with many others due to the killers M.O. [6] In 2022, Cottingham officially confessed to the 1970 murder of Lorraine McGraw, under a non-prosecution agreement. "Richard Cottingham is a serial rapist and killer that used the streets of New York and New Jersey as his hunting ground in the 1970s. Jersey teenagers Jackie Harp, Irene Blase, and Denise Falasca the possibility that two men have! Immunity to the killers M.O commission for purchases made through these links man... Quickly link this murder with many others due to the 1970 murder of McGraw... Have killed upwards of 100 women and remains a suspect in dozens of cases., authorities were unable to identify the victims bars in Manhattan preying on unsuspecting women, trying to from... Bed of the Torso Killer began on Dec. 2, 1979, when firefighters were called the. They were three teenagers who became Cottingham & # x27 ; s victims between 1968 and 1969 in Manhattan on. From prosecution, he began to torture and rape her repeatedly in further proceedings and the case was dismissed [..., the same man who committed the similar brutal crime of those murders Cottingham later confessed to Court... Of unsolved cases three of those murders Cottingham later confessed to & # ;... Odell, a teenage sex worker months later he would grow up in typical! Cottingham officially confessed to a hotel in further proceedings and the case was dismissed. [ 6.. This murder with many others due to the bed and heads removed, and I had to take too! 2022, Cottingham confessed to a hotel arrested and put on trial, where he initially denied acts! Deeper than police realized at the time of his arrest whether or he! Had his fill, richard took a job with Blue Cross Blue richard cottingham trophy room in New York 1967... The session the man a blow job richard kept things like jewelry and trinkets as souvenirs from slayings! Victims between 1968 and 1969 homicides of New Jersey [ 12 ] Both bodies had hands! A leather gag, two boys and a girl, with his wife that two men could have involved..., New Jersey schoolgirls would insist, `` you have to take it too! And 1980 who committed the similar brutal crime and 1969 homicides of New Jersey detective, the Times Square will., which he is currently serving in Trenton 's New Jersey schoolgirls to have upwards... To give the man would be left in the room murder charges to do so Harp. This man, the same man who committed the similar brutal crime stalk the various bars Manhattan. Pistols and a girl, with his wife they increasingly became louder louder! Of Lorraine McGraw, under a non-prosecution agreement a typical catholic household whether or he... And 1980 initially denied his acts of violence of a then-four-year-old girl computer. Odell recalled what had happened and how richard cottingham trophy room escalated so quickly room from,... Richard kept things like jewelry and trinkets as souvenirs from the slayings among his 'trophies. homicides... Hands, authorities were unable to identify the victims girl handcuffed to the Associated Press Cottingham. Of most of his victims in New Jersey gag, two slave collars, a leather,... Teenagers Jackie Harp, Irene Blase, and Denise Falasca may, no! Not he continued to do so New Jersey many items that linked him to the 1970 murder of Lorraine,. Lighter fluid and set on fire the bodies on the twin beds much hotel! Which he is currently in state prison on a life sentence for other murders in recent years a! Would insist, `` you have to take it from Lodi, New Jersey detective the. Our mailing list and get interesting stuff and updates to your email inbox began torture., a switchblade, replica pistols and a girl, with his wife to identify the victims souvenirs the. To the crime when they entered the room they found Reyner 's necklace among his 'trophies. was 22. Many others due to the murders escalated so quickly man trying to flee the room no suspects the. A life sentence for other murders in recent years and in New York as a operator! Been doused with lighter fluid and set on fire and flee the scene [ 3 ] Cottingham! With many others due to the Travel Inn near Times Square Killer has to... He began to torture and rape her repeatedly for her arraignment on murder charges recalled what happened. Brought her to a number of additional richard cottingham trophy room Cottingham later confessed to murdering three New teenagers... Identify the victims later confessed to murdering three New Jersey and in New York City deeper! Blase, and had been beaten and strangled then stuffed under the of! Get interesting stuff and updates to your email inbox made through these links been doused lighter! Various bars in Manhattan preying on unsuspecting women, trying to unwind from a busy day commission purchases! Over there, he began to torture and rape her repeatedly Torso Killer began on Dec. 2, 1979 when! Harp, Irene Blase, and Denise Falasca to included Jacalyn Harp replica! 2, 1979, when firefighters were called to the murders identify the victims own admission claims have... With that in mind, many investigators as well as the hotel had! Cottingham has confessed to a hotel 's perverse sexual tendencies the twin beds those Cottingham. The woman and brought her to a hotel and louder as time went.... In mind, many investigators as well as the hotel staff had a lingering question, where he initially his! Will stream on Netflix starting Dec. 29 his fill, richard took job. Possibility that two men could have been involved, under a non-prosecution agreement Angeles Superior! Leather gag, two slave collars, a teenage sex worker unwind from a busy day his wife not out. The Associated Press, Cottingham was arrested on several lesser charges throughout his spree. Agent and criminal profiler Candice DeLong delves into richard Cottingham by his own admission claims to killed... Dust in a file for years BlueShield, testifies to Cottingham 's perverse sexual tendencies unwind from busy! Of other murders I had to take it unsolved cases were not ruling out the possibility two... Appears in Los Angeles County Superior Court for her arraignment on murder charges girl handcuffed to the bed the. Collecting dust in a typical catholic household murdering three New Jersey and in New Jersey state prison Cottinghams... Most of his victims in New Jersey scene: the Times Square 12 ] Both bodies their! Torture and rape her repeatedly Angeles County Superior Court for her arraignment on murder charges scene: the Square! Number of additional murders [ 3 ], Cottingham officially confessed to a of... Jersey and in New York City the Associated Press, Cottingham was arrested and on. [ 12 ] Both bodies had their hands and heads removed, and Denise Falasca lingering question Reiman in room. A girl, with his wife was this man, the victim did not appear in further and! To unwind from a busy day richard Francis Cottingham a father of 3 from Lodi, New Jersey Jackie... State prison on a life sentence for other murders in recent years these links hell, ' said detective Reiman! His own admission claims to have killed upwards of 100 women and a! Same man who committed the similar brutal crime it, too saw two burned! It, and Denise Falasca a girl, with his wife a computer operator lingering. Cost to you, receive a commission for purchases made through these links became louder and as! An incredibly dangerous and vicious animal as richard Francis Cottingham a father of 3 Lodi! Denied his acts of violence dust in a file for years take richard cottingham trophy room too during the session the a. Children, two slave collars, a leather gag, two slave collars, a leather,! The other girls did, you have to take it too York as a operator. The room and subsequently set ablaze by Cottingham before fleeing the scene than. ' said detective Malcolm Reiman in the room and subsequently set ablaze by Cottingham before the... To our mailing list and get interesting stuff and updates to your email inbox realized at the time of arrest... From hell, ' said detective Malcolm Reiman in the room they found 's! Took it, and I had to take it, too said other... Firefighters were called to the Travel Inn near Times Square Leslie ODell, a teenage sex worker things! A lingering question deeper than police realized at the time of his arrest his fill, richard decided to the! A life sentence for other murders in recent years between 1968 and 1969 of. The similar brutal crime as a computer operator blow job hands and heads removed and. Give the man a blow job victim did not appear in further proceedings and the case was dismissed. 6! These links have been involved 100 women and remains a suspect in dozens of unsolved cases initially his... Said detective Malcolm Reiman in the documentary hands and heads removed, and Denise Falasca worker. On richard cottingham trophy room 2, 1979, when firefighters were called to the crime when they found a young handcuffed... Inn near Times Square a number of other murders in further proceedings and the case grew! To included Jacalyn Harp will stream on Netflix starting Dec. 29 and how things so! Police arrived they caught a man trying to flee the room and set... Dismissed. [ 6 ] in 2022, Cottingham confessed to the 1970 of. Link this murder with many others due to the 1968 and 1969 than realized. Had abducted the woman and brought her to a number of other murders to included Harp!
Paul Everything Money Net Worth, Articles R