The Axeman of New Orleans

From 1918 to 1919, this devilish lumberjack murdered 12 people in their beds, using an axe often belonging to the victim. Someone purporting to be the axeman sent taunting letters to local newspapers claiming any house that played jazz would be safe from his manic spree.

The apparent jazz aficionado also appeared to selectively target Italian Americans and would often only kill women, appearing to only attack men when they got in his way.

His attacks ended in August 1919 and he was never heard of again.