Crime Solvers Central
CSC
263 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.
John Salerni death by force case profile photo

John Salerni

Case from New Britain, CT dated Oct 19, 1974

Victim Details

John A. Salerni

Male

White / Caucasian

New Britain

CT

1974-10-19

55

John

Salerni

07/08/2026

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
On the evening of October 19, 1974, John Salerni, a 55-year-old White male and the proprietor of the Donna Lee Bakery in New Britain, Connecticut, was working in his shop, which he had named after his daughter. That night, a robbery at the bakery escalated into a mass murder, a crime that would be remembered as one of the most vicious in the state's history. Salerni, along with a bakery employee, Helen Giansanti, and four customers, Michael Kron, Thomas and Anne Dowling, and William J. Donahue, ...
MEMBER ACCESS

Continue reading the complete case summary

Unlock the full case narrative for John Salerni, all available source links, additional videos, and member discussions.

Unlock Full Case Access — $3.97/month
Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in

Links to Additional Sources (4)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • John A Salerni (1919-1974) - Find a Grave...
  • Hartford Courant: A Grisly Night At New Britain’s Donna Lee Bakery
    • MEMBER ACCESS

    Unlock 2 additional sources

    View the complete collection of available reporting and reference links for this case.

    View All Case Sources — $3.97/month
    Cancel anytime.
    Already a member? Log in

    Latest News

    View All

    Forum Posts (1)

    I've been delving into the details of the Donna Lee Bakery murders, and one aspect that really stand... ...Read More
    07/24/2023
    MEMBER ACCESS

    Join the discussion for John Salerni

    Read full forum posts and contribute to this case discussion.

    Unlock forum access — $3.97/month
    Already a member? Log in

    Other Cases from New Britain, Connecticut

    Jesus Chuito M Silva death by force case in New Britain, CT

    Jesus Chuito M Silva

    Death: Dec 30, 2014
    On the evening of December 30, 2014, the life of a 24-year-old Hispanic male named Jesus Chuito M. S ...Read More
    Erick Rivera death by force case in New Britain, CT

    Erick Rivera

    Death: Jan 15, 2019
    On a cold January evening in New Britain, Connecticut, the life of 34-year-old Hispanic male Erick J ...Read More
    Donzie Taylor death by force case in New Britain, CT

    Donzie Taylor

    Death: Jul 19, 2016
    In the early morning hours of July 19, 2016, the body of 41-year-old Donzie Taylor, a Black/African n ...Read More
    Nor Allard death by force case in New Britain, CT

    Nor Allard

    Death: Aug 16, 1978
    In the late afternoon of a Wednesday in August of 1978, a tragedy befell the New Britain Police Depa p ...Read More
    Edward John Kurpiewski death by force case in New Britain, CT

    Edward John Kurpiewski

    Death: Dec 15, 1956
    On the evening of December 15, 1956, in New Britain, Connecticut, 29-year-old Edward John Kurpiewski k ...Read More
    Jayson Bruno-Matos death by force case in New Britain, CT

    Jayson Bruno-Matos

    Death: Aug 23, 2025
    In the early hours of a Saturday morning, the life of Jayson Bruno-Matos, a 42-year-old mixed-race m ...Read More
    Thomas John Dowling death by force case in New Britain, CT

    Thomas John Dowling

    Death: Oct 19, 1974
    On a tragic evening in New Britain, Connecticut, the life of Thomas John Dowling, a 58-year-old Cauc u ...Read More