American History Hit

Episode: Crime of the Century: Who Kidnapped Charles Lindbergh Jr?
Host: Don Wildman
Guest: Professor Tom Doherty, Brandeis University
Date: November 24, 2025

Episode Overview

In this gripping episode, Don Wildman and cultural historian Professor Tom Doherty explore the infamous 1932 kidnapping of Charles Lindbergh Jr., son of celebrated aviator Charles Lindbergh. This crime mesmerized the entire nation, catalyzed the emergence of modern media coverage, and left a lingering legacy of conspiracy theories and cultural fascination. The discussion draws from Tom Doherty’s book Little Lindy Is Kidnapped: How the Media Covered the Crime of the Century, focusing on the crime's context, the investigation, media impact, trial, and the questions that still swirl around the case.

Main Themes & Key Discussion Points

1. Cultural & Media Context of the Crime

[04:44–09:39]

• The Lindbergh kidnapping occurred in 1932, during the Great Depression and at the dawn of the radio era.
• Charles Lindbergh, after his 1927 solo transatlantic flight, became "the most famous, admired, beloved man on the planet," whose fame and public regard were unprecedented.
• The crime felt deeply personal for Americans, who, via new universal broadcasting, felt almost as if a member of their own family had been taken.
• The event marked the beginning of “breaking news” culture:

  “This is the first story everybody wanted instantaneous information on.” — Prof. Tom Doherty (06:59)

2. The Lindbergh Family: American Royalty

[09:39–13:41]

• Charles Lindbergh: Praised for his heroic 33.5-hour flight, son of a congressman, and a figure whose every move captured national attention.
• Anne Morrow Lindbergh: From a wealthy, influential family; talented in her own right as an aviator, writer, and thinker.

  “Say what you will about Lindbergh, he picks the one of real character.” — Prof. Tom Doherty (10:34)

• Charles Jr. (“Little Lindy”): 20 months old, possibly developmentally challenged, on medication, but this was known only within the family.

3. The Crime: March 1, 1932

[16:41–21:22]

• Between 8–10pm, Charles Jr. was abducted from his second-floor nursery in Hopewell, NJ.
• A handmade ladder was used; Anne and Charles were at home.
• Discovery: Nurse Betty Gow noticed the empty crib; frantic search ensued until the police were called.
• Immediate media scoop: A reporter randomly calling the police got the story right as it broke.

  “It’s creepy...it’s shocking.” — Prof. Tom Doherty (19:09)

• Evidence: Footprints, a broken ladder, and most ominously, a ransom note with bizarre spelling and grammar.

4. The Flawed Investigation

[24:07–27:47]

• The investigation was chaotic; the scene was trampled by officers, reporters, and the public, destroying vital evidence.
• State Police Chief H. Norman Schwarzkopf deferred to Lindbergh, who led the investigation, blocking certain lines of inquiry and even turning away the FBI.

  “Lindbergh's stature was such that nobody was going to gainsay Lindbergh.” — Prof. Tom Doherty (24:48)

• Ransom Note: Filled with errors, possibly written by someone whose first language was not English.
• A distinct symbol at the bottom acted as the kidnapper’s "signature" to verify authentic communication.

5. The Media Frenzy & Evolution of News

[28:53–32:26]

• Print, radio, and newsreels converged as never before, creating a true national spectacle and boosting the evolution of live broadcast journalism.
• Home movies of Charles Jr. circulated in newsreels—an early form of today’s Amber Alerts.

  “It’s really the beginning of modern broadcast news.” — Prof. Tom Doherty (31:47)

6. Ransom Negotiations & Bizarre Twists

[32:26–38:06]

• Multiple ransom notes ratcheted up demands from $50,000 to $70,000.

• Introduction of John Condon (“Jafsie”), a colorful Bronx character who volunteered as intermediary and interacted with the mysterious “Cemetery John” in a shadowy cemetery rendezvous.

  “He gets a letter from the kidnapper the next day which has that certification symbol on it.” — Prof. Tom Doherty (35:15)

• The ransom money was paid in gold certificates, later to become key evidence.

7. Tragic Discovery

[38:06–41:00]

• On May 12, 1932—more than two months after the abduction—the decomposed body of Charles Jr. was found just miles from the Lindbergh home.

• Cause of death: Skull fracture, likely from a fall or blow during the abduction.

• The tragedy stunned the nation:

  “Many people whose memories are otherwise vague about that decade remember exactly where they were when they heard the news that the Lindbergh baby had been killed.” — Prof. Tom Doherty (39:43)

• The headline: "Baby Dead."

8. Hunt for the Perpetrator & The Trial of the Century

[41:00–48:36]

• FBI tracked ransom bills for over two years; an alert gas station attendant's note of a license plate led to German immigrant Bruno Richard Hauptmann.
• Evidence: Ransom money, ladder wood matching Hauptmann’s attic, ransom letters matching his handwriting, and his unexplained wealth.
• Hauptmann denied all involvement, claiming the cash was left to him by a business partner.
• The Flemington Trial (Jan–Feb 1935):
  • National media circus; newsreel cameras allowed but not radio.
  • Lindbergh’s presence and testimony lent immense drama.
  • Hauptmann convicted—the execution followed in April 1936.

  “One of the reasons that they tried [him] in New Jersey…is we want a capital murder case…and we want the suspected perpetrator…to be strapped into the electric chair.” — Prof. Tom Doherty (46:33)

9. Controversies & Conspiracies

[51:24–55:14]

• Accusations of police misconduct, tampered evidence, doubts about Hauptmann’s guilt, and suspicion about Lindbergh himself.
• Hauptmann’s wife fought to clear his name for decades.
• Radical theories: Mob involvement, anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, or even Lindbergh’s personal involvement.

  “The Lindbergh case has a lot of these elements that if you’re of a conspiratorial mindset would allow you to believe that something else is going on.” — Prof. Tom Doherty (54:10)

• Occam’s Razor: The bulk of credible forensic evidence points to Hauptmann.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Lindbergh’s Fame:

  “When Lindbergh successfully crossed the Atlantic…the most famous, admired, beloved man on the planet.”
  — Prof. Tom Doherty (05:10)

• On the New Media Moment:

  “This is the first story everybody wanted instantaneous information on.”
  — Prof. Tom Doherty (06:59)

• On the Public’s Investment:

  “…people felt they knew them, they felt this was sort of a member of the family.”
  — Prof. Tom Doherty (05:44)

• On the Media’s Evolution:

  “You could make an argument it’s really the beginning of modern broadcast news.”
  — Prof. Tom Doherty (31:47)

• On the Crime Scene:

  “There’s an extraordinary level of incompetence by the police…they’re trampling over evidence, reporters are all over the place…”
  — Prof. Tom Doherty (19:10/24:20)

• On American Grief:

  “The nation feels one emotion, and that is, of course, stunned, stupefied grief…”
  — Prof. Tom Doherty (40:34)

• On the Conspiracies:

  “The Lindbergh case has a lot of these elements that if you’re of a conspiratorial mindset would allow you to believe that something else is going on.”
  — Prof. Tom Doherty (54:10)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [04:44] — Setting the context: Lindbergh’s rise to fame & the dawn of radio.
• [13:41] — The Lindbergh family: background and cultural significance.
• [16:41] — The kidnapping and initial discovery.
• [24:07] — The flawed investigation, botched evidence, ransom note details.
• [28:53] — How media coverage changed journalism forever.
• [32:26] — Ransom communications & John Condon’s involvement.
• [38:06] — Discovery of Charles Jr.’s body.
• [41:00] — Investigation leads to Bruno Hauptmann and his arrest.
• [45:50] — The high-profile Flemington trial begins.
• [51:24] — Controversies, conspiracies, and lingering doubts about the official story.

Conclusion

Don Wildman and Professor Tom Doherty deliver a vivid retelling of the Lindbergh kidnapping, explaining how its unique mix of celebrity, mass media, and shocking tragedy made it the "crime of the century." The episode not only recounts the mechanics of the investigation and trial, but also probes the cultural anxieties and trust issues that shaped public opinion—issues that still linger in American consciousness and continue to fuel endless speculation. Doherty’s insights into how the case ushered in modern journalism, and the ways in which Lindbergh’s complex legacy colors every retelling, make this both a captivating history lesson and a meditation on the power—and perils—of fame.