Felipe Nerio Espinosa: The Axeman of Colorado
Early Life
Felipe Nerio Espinosa was born around 1827 in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico Territory, or Veracruz, Mexico. His parents were Pedro Ignacio Espinosa and Maria Gertrudes Cháves. Felipe had a brother named José Vivian Espinosa and a cousin named Julian Espinosa.
Killing Spree
Felipe Nerio Espinosa, along with his brother José Vivian Espinosa, embarked on a murder spree in the Colorado Territory during the spring and fall of 1863. The brothers' first victim was found in May 1863, with his corpse mutilated and the heart hacked out of his chest. Throughout that summer, twenty-five more people were attacked and killed in similar fashion.
Victims
- March 18, 1863: "Uncle Henry" Harkens - Shot in the forehead, head split open with an ax, stabbed twice in the left breast.
- May 1863: First unidentified victim - Corpse mutilated, heart hacked out of chest.
- Summer 1863: Twenty-five unidentified victims - Attacked and killed in similar fashion.
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Account
