Albert Fish

Albert Fish

Albert Fish, born Hamilton Howard Fish on May 19, 1870, was an American serial killer, child rapist, and cannibal. He was known by various nicknames, including the "Gray Man," the "Werewolf of Wysteria," and the "Brooklyn Vampire." Fish was a suspect in at least five murders during his lifetime, but he confessed to three murders that police were able to trace to a known homicide.

Early Life

Albert Fish was born in Washington, D.C., to Randall and Ellen Fish. His family had a history of mental illness, and his father was 43 years older than his mother. Fish was the youngest of four children. His father died when Fish was five years old, and his mother placed him in an orphanage, where he was frequently abused.

Criminal Activities

Fish began his criminal activities in 1890, moving to New York City. He initially worked as a prostitute and began molesting young boys. Over the years, Fish developed a taste for sadomasochism and cannibalism. He was arrested several times for petty crimes, but his more heinous acts went undetected for many years.

Murders

Fish's most infamous crime was the murder of Grace Budd in 1928. He lured the ten-year-old girl from her home in Manhattan under the pretense of taking her to a party. Fish later confessed to killing and eating parts of her body. His letter to the Budd family, detailing the murder, led to his arrest.

Fish also confessed to the murders of Francis McDonnell and Billy Gaffney, both young boys. He claimed to have tortured and killed them in a similar manner to Grace Budd.

Arrest and Trial

Albert Fish was arrested in December 1934 after the police traced the letter he sent to the Budd family. During his trial, Fish pleaded insanity, claiming that God had commanded him to kill children. The jury found him sane and guilty, and he was sentenced to death.

Execution

Albert Fish was executed by electric chair at Sing Sing Correctional Facility on January 16, 1936. His case remains one of the most notorious in American criminal history due to the gruesome nature of his crimes and his bizarre behavior.

Legacy

Albert Fish's crimes have been the subject of numerous books, films, and documentaries. His case is often cited in discussions of criminal psychology and the nature of evil.

Related Pages

• Serial killer
• Cannibalism
• Capital punishment in the United States
• Criminal psychology