Offender Record · OFF-2026-131
Earle Leonard Nelson (photo from the Radford University biography)
Earle Leonard Nelson
Also known as Earle Leonard Ferral, The Gorilla Killer, The Dark Strangler, Charles Harrison, Adrian Harris, Virgil Wilson, Roger Bell, Earl Ferrell, Evan Louis Fuller
Sex
Male
Race
White
Born
1897
Custody
Deceased
States
CA, MO, US
Distinguishing featuresAbnormally large hands; dark, stocky build with long arms
Custody
Nelson was executed by hanging on January 13, 1928, at Vaughan Street Jail in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
This record documents arrests, charges and convictions reported by courts, law enforcement agencies and news organizations. Every statement is tied to a cited source with an archived copy. A charge is an accusation, not proof of guilt; a person charged is presumed innocent unless convicted. Where a record says named by police, no charge was ever filed: the record rests on a law enforcement agency's public identification of the deceased person, cited below. Not guilty by reason of insanity means the court found the act proven but the person not criminally responsible. Solve the Case does not allege that this person committed any offense beyond what the cited records state, and this record is not a suggestion that the person is connected to any unsolved case. How records are built, corrected and removed.
Summary of the record
Earle Leonard Nelson was convicted of murder in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1927 and executed by hanging on January 13, 1928. Nelson killed at least 22 women and an 8-month-old infant across the United States and Canada between February 1926 and June 1927, primarily targeting middle-aged landladies. He was convicted of the murder of an adult woman (Emily Patterson, age 27) in Winnipeg and charged with the murder of a 14-year-old girl (Lola Cowan). Nelson did not confess and maintained his innocence until his execution.
Documented Arrests, Charges and Convictions
Dispositions are shown exactly as the cited records report them. Pending charges are updated when a court acts; a record with no remaining conviction or pending charge is removed from the site.
Offense date May 19, 1921, San Francisco, California
Attempted molestation of a child (Mary Summers)
San Francisco Police and competency hearing · Competency hearing court · Arrested May 19, 1921 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Recommitted to Napa State Mental Hospital
Nelson posed as a plumber to gain entry to a home at 1519 Pacific Avenue in San Francisco on May 19, 1921. He attempted to molest a 12-year-old girl in the basement. The attempt was thwarted when the child screamed and her brother came to her aid. Nelson was arrested within hours while riding a trolley.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Nelson, Earle Leonard; Earle Nelson - Wikipedia; Earle Leonard Nelson (1897-1928) - Find a Grave Memorial
Offense date Jun 09, 1927, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Murder (of Lola Cowan) - charge filed but not tried
Manitoba Court of King's Bench, Winnipeg · Court of King's Bench, Winnipeg · Arrested Jun 15, 1927 · Sentence: Not tried; murder charge stayed in reserve
Lola Cowan, a 14-year-old girl, was lured to Nelson's boarding house room on June 9, 1927, under the pretense of selling him paper flowers. Nelson strangled her and raped her corpse, then hid her body under the bed in his room. Her body was discovered three days later, decomposed.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Nelson, Earle Leonard; Earle Leonard Nelson (1897-1928) - Find a Grave Memorial; Winnipeg Homicide - 1927 Victims; Trial — Earle Leonard Nelson: The Dark Strangler — Crime Library
Offense date Jun 10, 1927, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Murder (of Emily Patterson)
Manitoba Court of King's Bench, Winnipeg · Court of King's Bench, Winnipeg · Arrested Jun 15, 1927 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Death by hanging, executed January 13, 1928
Emily Patterson, a 27-year-old housewife, was strangled in her home on June 10, 1927, while her husband was away. Her body was found hidden beneath the bed by her husband upon his return. Nelson raped the victim's corpse after strangling her. He stole clothing from the home and left with stolen items.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Nelson, Earle Leonard; Earle Nelson - Wikipedia; Winnipeg Homicide - 1927 Victims; Trial — Earle Leonard Nelson: The Dark Strangler — Crime Library
Pattern and Background
Victim counts and the pattern of the offenses as stated by courts, agencies and the cited reporting. Suspected counts are what officials have said publicly, not a finding of this site.
1
Victims convicted
0
Victims confessed
26
Victims suspected
Active years
1926–1927
Victim profile
Young women, Elderly, Children, Sex workers, Strangers, Travelers or motorists
Stated motive
Sexual, Thrill
Range from home
interstate
Education
some high school
Marital history
Married, Divorced
Children
0
Military discharge
other than honorable
Died
1928-01-13 · executed
Agencies
Law enforcement, prosecutors and corrections agencies the records show dealing with this person. An investigator working a case with a possible connection can start here.
Wakopa Police Department (or jail authority) · MB
Held Nelson initially after June 15, 1927 arrest; Nelson escaped from the jail by hopping a train
San Francisco Police Department · CA
Arrested Nelson in 1921 for attempted molestation of Mary Summers; forwarded fingerprints to Winnipeg police in 1927 for identification
Source: Wikipedia
San Quentin State Prison · CA
Incarcerated Nelson in 1915 for breaking into a cabin; served two years before parole September 6, 1916
Manitoba Court of King's Bench · MB
Filed charges for murders of Lola Cowan (June 9, 1927) and Emily Patterson (June 10, 1927); trial overseen by Justice Andrew Dysart
Source: Wikipedia
Vaughan Street Jail · MB
Death row incarceration and execution site; Nelson held pending execution from conviction November 1927 to execution January 13, 1928
Winnipeg Police Service (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) · MB
Arrested Nelson June 16, 1927 in Killarney, MB; members also involved in recapture after escape from Wakopa jail
Crystal City Police Department · MB
Officer arrested Nelson June 16, 1927 following his escape from Wakopa jail
Los Angeles County Jail · CA
Held Nelson approximately five months for burglary charges; he escaped from the facility
Napa State Mental Hospital · CA
Held Nelson following 1921 competency hearing; he escaped multiple times before discharge in 1925
Places Lived, Worked and Frequented
Each place and date range comes from a cited record. Dates marked approximate are as reported. Know a place that is missing? Use Edit record under the photo; a moderator reviews it before it appears.
CA
San Francisco, California
approx. 1897 – 1908 · Born in San Francisco; raised by maternal grandmother Jennie Nelson
San Francisco, California
approx. 1908 – 1918 · Lived with aunt Lillian Fiban after grandmother's death in 1908
San Quentin, California
Jul 1915 – Sep 1916 · San Quentin State Prison for robbery in Plymouth County; parole granted September 6, 1916
Napa, California
approx. 1918 – 1919 · Napa State Mental Hospital; committed after erratic behavior during Navy service; escaped multiple times
Napa, California
approx. 1919 – 1921 · Worked as janitor at hospital; married Mary Martin (age 58) in 1919; separated 1920
Los Angeles, California
approx. Mar 1919 – Aug 1919 · Arrested under name Farrell for burglary; escaped from LA County Jail after 5 months
Napa, California
approx. 1921 – 1925 · Napa State Mental Hospital; committed after attempted molestation of Mary Summers; escaped and attempted escape multiple times; discharged in absentia March 10, 1925
San Francisco, California
approx. 1925 – 1926 · Released from Napa; began transient pattern across West Coast and eventually nationwide
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
approx. Jun 1927 – Jun 1927 · Rented room in boarding house; committed final two murders before capture
Canupawakpa, Manitoba, Canada
Jun 15, 1927 – Jun 16, 1927 · Arrested in Wakopa; held in local jail under alias Virgil Wilson; escaped same evening
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Jun 16, 1927 – Jan 13, 1928 · Vaughan Street Jail, Winnipeg; trial November 1-5, 1927; convicted November 4, 1927; sentenced to death; executed by hanging January 13, 1928
Manitoba, Canada
Jun 16, 1927 – Jun 16, 1927 · Recaptured the next morning after attempting to board train carrying Winnipeg police
MO
New York, Missouri
Feb 1926 – Jun 1927 · California, Oregon, Washington, Illinois, Michigan, Iowa · Traveled by train across multiple states; worked odd jobs; committed murders in San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Barbara, Oakland, Portland, Seattle, Chicago, Detroit, Kansas City, Council Bluffs, and Philadelphia
US
United States
approx. 1919 – 1919 · Joined Army and Navy on three separate occasions; discharged for mental state and repeated desertions · army
Timeline
May 12, 1897
Earle Leonard Nelson born in San Francisco, California.
1908
Nelson struck by train; suffered coma lasting 6 days and skull injury. Grandmother dies; sent to live with aunt Lillian.
Jul 25, 1915
Nelson sentenced to San Quentin State Prison for two years for robbery in Plymouth County at age 18.
Sep 06, 1916
Nelson paroled from San Quentin.
Mar 09, 1917
Nelson arrested under name Clark for petty larceny; sentenced to 6 months in jail.
May 1918
Nelson committed to Napa State Mental Hospital after erratic behavior during Navy service.
1919
Nelson began engaging in sexual crimes at age 21.
1919
Nelson joined military on three separate occasions (Army and Navy); discharged for mental state and repeated desertions.
1919
Nelson married Mary Martin (age 58) in August.
Mar 23, 1919
Nelson arrested under name Farrell in Los Angeles for burglary; escaped from LA County Jail after 5 months.
1920
Nelson's marriage to Mary Martin separated.
May 19, 1921
Nelson attempted molestation of 12-year-old Mary Summers at 1519 Pacific Avenue in San Francisco; arrested and recommitted to Napa State Mental Hospital.
Mar 10, 1925
Nelson released from Napa State Mental Hospital in absentia under alias Roger Bell.
Feb 20, 1926
Nelson begins murder spree; first known victim Clara Newman (age 62) strangled and sexually assaulted in San Francisco.
Mar 02, 1926
Nelson kills Laura Beal in San Jose, California.
Jun 10, 1926
Nelson kills Lillian St. Mary in San Francisco, California.
Jun 24, 1926
Nelson kills George Russell in Santa Barbara, California.
Aug 16, 1926
Nelson kills Mary Nesbit in Oakland, California.
Oct 19, 1926
Nelson kills Beata Withers in Portland, Oregon.
Oct 20, 1926
Nelson kills Mabel McDonald Fluke in Portland, Oregon.
Oct 21, 1926
Nelson kills Virginia A. Grant in Portland, Oregon.
Nov 18, 1926
Nelson chokes and murders Mrs. William Edmunds in San Francisco; hides body under bed.
Nov 23, 1926
Nelson strangles Florence Monks in Seattle, Washington.
Nov 29, 1926
Nelson strangles Blanche Meyers in Portland, Oregon.
Dec 23, 1926
Nelson kills Mrs. John Beard in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Dec 27, 1926
Nelson kills Bonnie Pace in Kansas City, Missouri.
Dec 28, 1926
Nelson kills Germanla Harpin and her 8-month-old daughter in Kansas City, Missouri.
Apr 27, 1927
Nelson kills Mary McConnell in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
May 30, 1927
Nelson kills Mrs. Jennie Randolph in Buffalo, New York.
Jun 01, 1927
Nelson kills Mrs. Maureen Atorthy (nee Oswald) in Detroit, Michigan.
Jun 01, 1927
Nelson kills Minnie May in Detroit, Michigan.
Jun 03, 1927
Nelson kills Mary Sietsma in Chicago, Illinois.
Jun 09, 1927
Nelson kills Lola Cowan (age 14) in Winnipeg, Manitoba; body hidden under bed in boarding house.
Jun 10, 1927
Nelson kills Emily Patterson (age 27) in Winnipeg, Manitoba; body hidden under her bed.
Jun 15, 1927
Nelson arrested in Wakopa, Manitoba, and charged with murders of Lola Cowan and Emily Patterson.
Jun 16, 1927
Nelson escapes from Wakopa jail; recaptured the following morning after attempting to board train with Winnipeg police.
Nov 01, 1927
Nelson's murder trial begins in Courtroom Number One of the Manitoba Law Courts Building in Winnipeg.
Nov 04, 1927
Nelson found guilty of murder of Emily Patterson; sentenced to death by hanging.
Jan 13, 1928
Nelson executed by hanging at Vaughan Street Jail, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Sources
Solve the Case is never the original source. Each item below is the public record a statement on this page rests on, with an archived copy where one exists.
Other government record · Manitoba Historical Society ·
Memorable Manitobans: Earle Nelson“Tried only for the death of the housewife, Nelson was hanged on 13 January 1928. He never confessed to any of the crimes, and the link to the American deaths was purely circumstantial.”
News report · Wikipedia ·
Earle Nelson - Wikipedia“Earle Leonard Nelson, also known as the Gorilla Man, the Gorilla Killer, and the Dark Strangler, was an American serial killer, rapist, and necrophile who killed at least twenty women in various U.S. states and two in Canada between 1926 and 1927.”
Other government record · Winnipeg Police Service ·
Winnipeg Homicide - 1927 Victims“Nelson was found guilty with no recommendation of mercy by the Judge, and sentenced to hang. Earle Leonard Nelson (29) was executed by hanging on January 13th, 1928.”
Offender registry · Find a Grave ·
Earle Leonard Nelson (1897-1928) - Find a Grave Memorial“He was first arrested on June 15, 1927 in Wakopa, Manitoba, not long after murdering two women in Canada: 14-year-old Lola Cowan, found decomposing in a room Nelson had rented, and housewife Emily Patterson, who was found by her husband underneath the bed.”
News report · Serial Dispatches ·
NELSON, Earle Leonard - Serial Dispatches“Nelson was arrested twice in Canada and there his killing spree ended. He was first arrested in 1927 after the murder of two women, Lola Cowan aged 14 and Emily Patterson a housewife whose body was found by her husband under the bed.”
News report · Murderpedia ·
Earle Leonard Nelson - Murderpedia“Between 1926 and 1927, from February 1926 to June 1927, he claimed at least twenty-two victims, preying chiefly on widows and spinsters who took in a mild-mannered boarder.”
News report · Crime Library ·
Trial — Earle Leonard Nelson: The Dark Strangler — Crime Library“After less than an hour of deliberation, they returned the guilty verdict and Judge Andrew Dysart pronounced the death sentence.”
Other · Radford University, Department of Psychology ·
Radford University serial killer biography: Nelson, Earle Leonard“Serial killer biography documenting Nelson's life, arrests, trial, and execution, with timeline of confirmed and suspected victims.”
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