The Glamour Girl Slayer: Harvey Glatman

The Glamour Girl Slayer: Harvey Glatman

Harvey Glatman was born in The Bronx on December 10, 1927, to Ophelia and Albert Glatman. From an early age, he showed troubling behavior. He would hurt himself, particularly by hanging from the attic rafters. When his parents took him to a doctor, they were told he would grow out of this behavior.

When Harvey turned 11, his family moved to Colorado. School life was difficult for him—other children made fun of his acne and large ears. Unable to make friends, he turned to breaking into homes and stealing women’s clothing. Despite his criminal activities, Glatman was a good student and participated in Boy Scouts, where he developed a strong interest in ropes.

First Criminal Acts

His crimes grew worse over time. Instead of just stealing, he began attacking women on the street, sometimes using a gun to threaten them. In 1945, police caught him breaking into an apartment. They found a gun and rope on him, and he admitted to other break-ins. Though charged with first-degree robbery, his parents posted bail.

Less than a month after his release, Glatman kidnapped a woman near Boulder, Colorado. He attacked her before driving her home. She quickly identified him from police photos, leading to his arrest. He served eight months of a one-year sentence.

Failed Attempts at Reform

After his release in July 1946, his mother took him to a psychiatrist. The doctor diagnosed him with a fear of women and suggested social activities like dancing as treatment. Hoping to give her son a fresh start, his mother sent him back to New York.

In New York, Glatman worked at a TV repair shop, using skills he learned in prison. However, once his mother returned to Colorado, he returned to his criminal behavior. He bought a fake gun, a knife, and rope, then began looking for victims.

Escalating Violence

Between August 1946 and 1956, Glatman committed several attacks but was eventually caught and imprisoned. After serving less than three years, he was released on parole. When his parole ended in September 1956, he moved to Los Angeles in January 1957.

Read more: Edmund Kemper: Co-ed Killer

The California Murders

In Los Angeles, Glatman created a new scheme. Instead of attacking women on the street, he posed as a photographer looking for models. Working as a TV repairman allowed him to rent a small apartment that he used as a fake photography studio.

His first California victim was Judith Ann Doll, age 19, in August 1957. He lured her with the promise of modeling for detective magazine covers. After attacking her, he drove her to the desert near Indio and killed her.

His next victim was Shirley Bridgeford, 24, in March 1958. He used a dating service to meet her, pretending to be “George Sullivan.” After taking her to dinner, he drove her to Anza Borrego State Park, where he killed her.
In July 1958, using the name “Frank Johnson,” he killed his third victim, Ruth Mercado, 24, leaving her body in the same park.

The Capture

Glatman’s crimes ended in October 1958 when his intended victim, Lorraine Vigil, 27, fought back. During their struggle, his gun went off, grazing her leg. She managed to escape and found help from passing police officers.

Justice Served

After intense questioning, Glatman confessed to three murders. Police found evidence in his home, including photographs of his victims. He led investigators to the victims’ remains, and in December 1958, Judge William Lowe sentenced him to death.
On September 18, 1959, Harvey Glatman was executed in San Quentin’s gas chamber. The process took just 12 minutes.

A Possible Earlier Victim

Investigators suspect Glatman may have killed Dorothy Howard, an 18-year-old who disappeared from Phoenix in 1954. Her body wasn’t identified until 2009 through DNA testing. While circumstances point to Glatman, no direct evidence links him to her death.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *