Emogene Harrington, a 56-year-old woman, was tragically murdered on December 2, 1965. She was the first known victim of the serial killer later dubbed the 'Cincinnati Strangler'. Harrington was strangled to death, marking the beginning of a series of violent crimes that terrorized Cincinnati, Ohio, between December 1965 and December 1966. The perpetrator targeted women between the ages of 31 and 81, many of whom lived in housing complexes inhabited by lower-income residents.
The investigation into Harrington's murder and subsequent killings led authorities to suspect Posteal Laskey Jr., a local resident and former cab driver. Laskey was arrested on December 9, 1966, for one of the murders, though he was never formally charged with the others. Despite this, law enforcement officials and media outlets attributed the cessation of the killings to his arrest.
The Cincinnati Strangler's reign of terror instilled widespread fear throughout the city, prompting residents to take extra precautions, such as installing additional locks and avoiding being alone. The murders occurred in various locations, including apartment buildings, parks, and streets, making it difficult for authorities to predict the killer's next move.
Following his arrest, Laskey was convicted of first-degree murder and initially sentenced to death. However, his sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole. He remained incarcerated for over four decades, repeatedly applying for parole without success. Laskey ultimately passed away in prison on May 29, 2007.
The case of Emogene Harrington and the Cincinnati Strangler remains a chilling chapter in the city's history, serving as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by serial offenders and the lasting impact of violent crime on communities.
