Ruth Anna Johnson Wanderer, a 21-year-old woman from Chicago, Illinois, met a tragic end on June 21, 1920. Ruth, who was pregnant at the time, was shot and killed during what initially appeared to be a robbery attempt. The incident occurred in the vestibule of her home in Lincoln Square, where she was returning with her husband, Carl Wanderer, after an evening out.
Ruth's mother discovered the scene, finding Ruth with multiple gunshot wounds and Carl engaged in a struggle with a man in ragged clothing, who was also shot dead.
Initially, Carl Wanderer was hailed as a hero for defending his wife and unborn child. He claimed that the "ragged stranger" had followed them home and attempted to rob them, prompting Carl to draw his military service pistol and exchange fire with the assailant. However, the circumstances surrounding Ruth's death raised suspicions, leading to a thorough investigation by the police and journalists.
The investigation revealed a shocking truth: Carl Wanderer had orchestrated the entire event. He had hired the "ragged stranger," later identified as a drifter named Al Watson, to stage a fake robbery with the intention of killing Ruth. Carl's motive was reportedly his desire to return to his previous life in the Army, free from the responsibilities of marriage and impending fatherhood. He confessed to the crime, stating that he believed it would be better to have Ruth dead.
Carl Wanderer was arrested and charged with the murders of Ruth Anna Johnson Wanderer and Al Watson. His trial garnered significant public attention, with Carl's cold and calculated demeanor during the proceedings further shocking the community. In 1921, Carl Wanderer was found guilty and sentenced to death. He was executed later that year, bringing a grim end to a case that had captivated Chicago and highlighted the depths of human deceit and betrayal.
