
Call The Police 48-07-20 25 The Case Of The Unknown Strangler
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Commissioner Bill Grant
Let's watch a movie.
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Commissioner Bill Grant
Favorite shows and movies.
Liz Porter
Que talesta bacanissima pero yalari.
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Commissioner Bill Grant
Attention homicide section.
Liz Porter
Find squad detail murder suspect in your zone.
Commissioner Bill Grant
Close in according to instruction.
Dr. Bernard Rayburn
Between you and the evil outside the law stands the policeman of your community. He gives up his safety that you may be safe. And sometimes he gives up his life to protect yours.
Narrator
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Commissioner Bill Grant
This is Commissioner Bill Grant. Putting the cuffs on a Jack the Ripper takes plenty of hard labor and all the breaks, as was demonstrated in number 3461 from the Ashland Files. Never to be forgotten is the case of the Unknown Strangler. The opening of this giant size comedy took place at 7:15 on the evening of July 2nd in a third floor flat. Ms. Francie Abbey, 47 year old spinster who earned a small living teaching singing, was making herself a bite of dinner in her modest two by four kitchenette.
Libby Tyler
Oh dear, there goes the doorbell. Probably somebody to inquire about lessons. Just a moment please. Just a moment.
Commissioner Bill Grant
I hear you.
Libby Tyler
I'm coming. Won't you step in? I'm preparing a little food in the kitchen, so if you'll excuse me. Let me by. Will you let me by please? I'm going to scream for help. Do you hear me? I'm going to scream for help.
Commissioner Bill Grant
That was the curtain raiser. We found the dead woman two hours later and nothing, absolutely nothing to give us any insight into the motive behind the crime. 56 hours later, the curtain went up on the second chorus of the Dance of Death. On the night of July 6, an aging lawyer by the name of Joel Crocker creaked up the steps to his ancient office.
Dr. Bernard Rayburn
What?
Commissioner Bill Grant
I didn't know there was anyone waiting for me. I'm terribly sorry sir. If you'll just come along into the inner office.
Dr. Bernard Rayburn
Leave the door open, if you please.
Commissioner Bill Grant
It's cooler that way. Now, just have a seat. Now.
Dr. Bernard Rayburn
How dare you.
Commissioner Bill Grant
How dare you strike me in my. And now there were two. Two crimes is alike as a pair of peas in a fraud. Illogical death without reason or motive. The newspapers didn't catch on for 12 hours. Then suddenly they made the tie up between the Abbey and Crocker murders. And every sheet in town was off to the unknown strangler. Takes double toll. Police helpless to stop homicidal murderers. Where will the killer strike next?
Libby Tyler
Bill, stop pacing.
Commissioner Bill Grant
Bill, please take a gander at those papers. Libby. A banner day for the press. This photo layout looks like a remake of the Cat in the Canary.
Libby Tyler
May I say something?
Commissioner Bill Grant
Say what?
Libby Tyler
This is really the criminal psych department speaking, Bill. But you're dealing with just what the papers say you are. A homicidal murderer.
Commissioner Bill Grant
So why?
Libby Tyler
Murder is always on the verge of insanity. Or as we say, pre psychotic. But murder without motive. Pointless, disconnected, profitless killing is psychotic. Whoever the man is, Bill, he's insane.
Commissioner Bill Grant
Hold it a second.
Liz Porter
Well, I'm sorry, but I had to come. I couldn't wait any longer. I had to come.
Commissioner Bill Grant
What is this? Who are you?
Liz Porter
My name is Liz Porter. You've got to help me. He's been missing for days.
Libby Tyler
Who has?
Liz Porter
Leonard. Leonard Walker, the boy I'm engaged to.
Commissioner Bill Grant
Look. Missing persons. You report at your local precinct?
Liz Porter
I did, but all they've got on their minds is this unknown strangler scare. Oh, please. Please help me. I'm so worried.
Libby Tyler
How long has your fiance been missing, Ms. Porter?
Liz Porter
Since the evening of the 2nd of July.
Commissioner Bill Grant
Yeah, very interesting evening. And what's the last you saw of him?
Liz Porter
Well, we'd been on a date. He brought me home. He drove away in his car.
Commissioner Bill Grant
What kind of a car does he drive?
Liz Porter
A small sedan.
Commissioner Bill Grant
License plate?
Liz Porter
It's 201G. Oh, I don't know. I just don't know. My mind's in such a fog.
Commissioner Bill Grant
I have a chair, miss.
Liz Porter
Thank you.
Commissioner Bill Grant
Hello, Nagio.
Sergeant Maggio
Well, now, don't blow your top.
Commissioner Bill Grant
Thanks for caring, but it's already blown. What's the news?
Sergeant Maggio
Bad. Another strangler victim.
Commissioner Bill Grant
Another? The strangler again. Libby.
Libby Tyler
Oh, Bill.
Commissioner Bill Grant
What address?
Sergeant Maggio
No address. This one was staged in a car on a side road off Highway 11. Young guy, about 25, no identification.
Commissioner Bill Grant
Young guy killed in this car. What about the license plate?
Sergeant Maggio
21G48N.
Commissioner Bill Grant
Just a second. Ms. Porter?
Liz Porter
Yes?
Commissioner Bill Grant
Could your boyfriend's license have been 201G? 48N.
Libby Tyler
Ms. Porter.
Commissioner Bill Grant
She recognized the numbers when I said them, and she was right to faint. It was Leonard Walker, all right. He been sitting up straight in his sedan for four days and nights with the strangler's fingerprints around his throat.
Narrator
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Commissioner Bill Grant
Number three for the unknown strangler was a young man named Leonard Walker. Three motiveless, clueless murders in as many days. I channeled every available man into the hunt for the strangling maniac, but got nowhere until.
Libby Tyler
Bill?
Commissioner Bill Grant
Yes, Lavi?
Libby Tyler
Remember I told you yesterday I thought I knew the way out of this? Well, now I'm sure I do.
Commissioner Bill Grant
I'm all ears.
Libby Tyler
I want you to meet someone, Bill. He's outside now. His name is Dr. Bernard Rayburn. He's an expert on abnormal psychology.
Commissioner Bill Grant
What can I lose? Show him in, won't you?
Libby Tyler
Come in, Dr. Rayburn.
Dr. Bernard Rayburn
Thank you.
Libby Tyler
Dr. Rayburn, this is Commissioner Grant.
Commissioner Bill Grant
How are you, Doctor?
Narrator
How do you do?
Commissioner Bill Grant
Ms. Tyler seems to think you can give us a lead on this strangler, doc.
Dr. Bernard Rayburn
I can tell you that he's an obviously schizophrenic type. Meaning, among other things, that even he very probably doesn't know that he's the strangler.
Commissioner Bill Grant
How does that work, Doc?
Dr. Bernard Rayburn
On a principle of phasal changes. One minute the man may appear quite rational, whereas at the next, he can become a monstrous personality and remember nothing at all of his actions. When he shifts back again to the rational phase, I get the Picture.
Commissioner Bill Grant
And it's a tough one to deal with.
Dr. Bernard Rayburn
Yes, I agree, Commissioner. But I think by an analysis of his crimes one might arrive at something very like an identification.
Commissioner Bill Grant
And you could you make that analysis?
Dr. Bernard Rayburn
I can't promise you anything, but if you give me your records and notes covering the murders, I'll try to assemble some facts. They may even include a fairly dependable sketch of the killer's physical appearance.
Commissioner Bill Grant
By now I liked the man. And I knew also that he'd deliver. So I gathered together our meager records and packed them off to do his work. An hour and a half later, the tireless Sergeant Maggio walked into the office.
Sergeant Maggio
Here's a little jigger to add to your collection.
Commissioner Bill Grant
What's that?
Sergeant Maggio
I took a last look at Leonard Walker's car and found it stuck under the front seat cover. It's a cap of one of those new fangled drypoint pens.
Commissioner Bill Grant
Maybe it belonged to Walker.
Sergeant Maggio
I'm gonna check on that. I called Ms. Porter and she's coming over after work to see if she recognizes it. They. They tell me you heard an interview with a nut doctor.
Commissioner Bill Grant
I talked things over with Dr. Rayburn.
Sergeant Maggio
Where is he now? Laundering his straight jackets.
Commissioner Bill Grant
Getting his work done. Which isn't a bad idea for everybody on this case. The next day was the 8th of July, and a very eventful day it was because at a little after seven that evening, a schoolteacher named Ms. Rosie McMahon hurrying across the lonelier stretches of Burgo park to beat an oncoming storm.
Sergeant Maggio
Who are you?
Libby Tyler
What do you want? No, no.
Commissioner Bill Grant
Come here.
Libby Tyler
Go away.
Commissioner Bill Grant
Come here. Let me alone.
Libby Tyler
Let me alone.
Commissioner Bill Grant
Okay, boys, let him grip you make a mistake. Let me loose. Let me loose. Sorry, but you tried it once too often.
Sergeant Maggio
Strangler.
Commissioner Bill Grant
When they brought him in, I took a look at him and I was amazed. A little thin faced man with steel rimmed glasses and tobacco stained mustache. No, no, you are wrong. I know to something only stop nice lady to ask for cigarette. Hinderman do no harm.
Sergeant Maggio
No too bad about Hindeman. Sugar wouldn't melt in Hindeman's mouth. But take a look at what we.
Commissioner Bill Grant
Found when we went over. What's that? Key ring man can carry. Key ring man can also explain why.
Sergeant Maggio
His ring features this particular key. Look at the tag on it, chief, huh? Key to the basement of 894 Tyson St. 894 Tyson.
Commissioner Bill Grant
That's the address of the Abbey woman.
Sergeant Maggio
Strangler victim number one. And maybe also remember the address of Lawyer Crocker number two for sure of 54 Fulham street exhibit B from the same key.
Commissioner Bill Grant
Ray Hinderman. Make no harm for somebody. Hinderman, what are you doing with these keys? Make a living. Only make a living.
Sergeant Maggio
He says he works as a part time janitor in both buildings. Kind of coincidence, huh, Commissioner?
Commissioner Bill Grant
Wait a minute. 894 Tyson. 54 Fulham. And where does Leonard Walker's girlfriend live, that, Ms. Porter?
Sergeant Maggio
Dale Avenue, the Horton Apartments.
Commissioner Bill Grant
And this last chivalry takes place in Burgoyne Park. So, baby, give me a map of Ashland.
Libby Tyler
There's one here on the wall.
Commissioner Bill Grant
That'll do. Thanks.
Sergeant Maggio
Well, what are you doing, chief? Plotting a new civic project.
Commissioner Bill Grant
I'm drawing.
Libby Tyler
What?
Commissioner Bill Grant
The area of the Strangler's activities bounded on the north by Fulham street, on the south by Tyson street, on the east by Dale Avenue. And the center of the territory is Burgoyne Park.
Sergeant Maggio
You got something?
Commissioner Bill Grant
I got at least geography. The Strangler is operated in this penciled section. Every murder has either occurred in this area of these three blocks or has been tied up with it one way or the other. Hinderman. Yeah. Mr. Yeah? You're under arrest for the murders of Francis Abley, Joel Crocker and Leonard Walker. No, no, I know there's something. I know there's something you can't tell me. I'm. We lifted the hysterical Hinderman into my office and Libby pointed out that we'd get nowhere with him until he had recovered a little. According to her, an injection of liquid Nembutol would tide him over his panic. And this she brought from the lab. I don't care. You can't do it.
Libby Tyler
All right, Bill, help him onto the sofa. Okay. That's right.
Commissioner Bill Grant
Get the needle ready. He's in bad shape.
Liz Porter
Commissioner.
Commissioner Bill Grant
Ms. Porter sent for me. Oh, just a minute, Libby. It was about this fountain pen cap found in Walker's car. Was it his?
Liz Porter
No, no, that wasn't Leonard.
Commissioner Bill Grant
Okay, thanks. Obviously, it belonged to the Strangler. Here. Now, if you just wait outside and.
Liz Porter
Strangler? Hinderman.
Commissioner Bill Grant
You know him?
Libby Tyler
Know him?
Liz Porter
Why, yes, of course I know him. He insulted me once outside my apartment house.
Libby Tyler
He killed and he. He did it.
Commissioner Bill Grant
He did it, Ms. Porter. He did it.
Liz Porter
I feel you.
Commissioner Bill Grant
Get out of here, Libby.
Libby Tyler
Come on. Now, try to calm down, please.
Commissioner Bill Grant
Maggie, help Ms. Porter downstairs and put her in my car. I'll drive her home myself as soon as we finish inside.
Sergeant Maggio
Okay. Come on now, Ms. Porter, everything's gonna be all right.
Commissioner Bill Grant
Let's get back to Hindeman.
Libby Tyler
All right, where were we?
Commissioner Bill Grant
Bill, about to give him a shot.
Libby Tyler
Now, here's a needle hold his wrist.
Commissioner Bill Grant
I don't want you. Okay.
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Commissioner Bill Grant
Let's watch a movie.
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Commissioner Bill Grant
Favorite shows and movies.
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Now the hard part is getting them.
Commissioner Bill Grant
To agree a movie.
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Switch today and get a Samsung Galaxy S25 plus with Galaxy AI on us plus your plan prize is guaranteed for five years. Save today, guarantee for tomorrow. Tap the banner to learn more or visit a store. Guarantees monthly price of contacts and data exclusions like taxes and fee supply. See exclusions and details@t mobile.com There we are.
Libby Tyler
There we are.
Commissioner Bill Grant
All done.
Libby Tyler
All done. I'm going to get the desk at City Hospital and have him taken to the ward. Bill. He'll be better off there until he's well enough to answer questions.
Commissioner Bill Grant
He was sleeping peacefully, this man whose one love was murder. I looked down at him, fascinated by the sheer evil of his face. And then I me, I do I. I leaned forward, hovering over him to catch an unconscious confession, when suddenly his head came up under my chin, the bony skull catching me square on the button with the power of a mule's kick. My eyes bugged as the room started to do a swirling tarantella. And then down I went, swaying off into never without a care in the world. When I came to, the couch was empty. Hindeman had been on his way for who knows how long. And then I saw it. A spot on the carpet not three feet from my nose. I smelt it. Nembutol. In those few minutes while we were lugging Liz Porter outside, Hinderman had emptied the needle and filled it again so that we gave him an injection of Aqua Pura H2O water. When the full impact of what had happened hit my muddled brain, I grabbed the phone and began to shout, turning every able bodied gun toting man in the force into the chase and hemstitching the borders of Ashland with a ring of squad cars. After that, Libby and I staggered out for something to revive us. She was trying to cheer me up. I remember telling me not to despair when suddenly, just as we neared the car.
Libby Tyler
Bill.
Commissioner Bill Grant
Huh?
Libby Tyler
Bill.
Narrator
Look, look, look.
Commissioner Bill Grant
I looked through the window of my car. I saw Liz Porter smiling out at us. On second glance, I saw that the smile was really the toothy grimace of her last attempt for that final gasp of air that hadn't come. Elizabeth Porter had met the Strangler face to face.
Narrator
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Commissioner Bill Grant
There was no reviving Liz Porter. Four days, four murders, and the strangler was still ranging the town with his fingers curled like the talons of a buzzard.
Libby Tyler
What are we going to do, Bill?
Commissioner Bill Grant
Call the governor. I'm putting this in his lap. It takes a thousand more men to cover this city. I need the militia. Bill, don't be no bills. Death has come to stay, baby. Hello, State capital?
Dr. Bernard Rayburn
No, Commissioner, this is Dr. Rayburn.
Commissioner Bill Grant
Oh, hello. Hello. How you doing, Doc?
Narrator
Fine.
Dr. Bernard Rayburn
I've got some material for you, as.
Commissioner Bill Grant
I promise I'm a stranger. Yes, we know who he is, Doc.
Dr. Bernard Rayburn
Congratulations.
Commissioner Bill Grant
But he slipped us.
Dr. Bernard Rayburn
Now, this may help you pick him up again. Come on over.
Commissioner Bill Grant
Rayburn lived in a comfortable brownstone on Chestnut street, and we sat over his dining room table drinking cold beer and examining what amounted to the work of genius.
Dr. Bernard Rayburn
Now, take a look at this sketch. Commissioner.
Commissioner Bill Grant
Yeah. Who is this document?
Dr. Bernard Rayburn
It's a picture of the strangler.
Commissioner Bill Grant
Huh?
Dr. Bernard Rayburn
It's not exactly a camera portrait, Grant, but it's been discovered recently that all mental illnesses have similar physical correlatives. In other words, this is what the strangler must look like based upon his symptoms.
Commissioner Bill Grant
I get it. You're okay, Doc. You're okay.
Dr. Bernard Rayburn
You can study it for a moment while I get my other notes.
Commissioner Bill Grant
I did study the sketch, and the longer I looked at it, the more I realized that it looked nothing like him. But I had the strange feeling that it looked like somebody I knew.
Dr. Bernard Rayburn
Now, here are the balance of the notes. I want to jot in a couple of remarks, then you can have them.
Commissioner Bill Grant
He took out his fountain pen and began to make additions in the margins. And as I stared at him, the short hairs on the tender part of my nape stood up as sharp as quills. It's a nice suit, doc.
Dr. Bernard Rayburn
This one.
Commissioner Bill Grant
Yeah. You could damage it, you know, carrying that pen in your pocket without a cap.
Dr. Bernard Rayburn
I know. I'm a careless man at best. I lost the cap the other day.
Commissioner Bill Grant
Where?
Dr. Bernard Rayburn
Why? I don't know.
Commissioner Bill Grant
I think I do.
Dr. Bernard Rayburn
You think you do?
Commissioner Bill Grant
Yeah. You lost a dock.
Dr. Bernard Rayburn
Where?
Commissioner Bill Grant
It was found in Leonard Walker's car.
Dr. Bernard Rayburn
Bennett Walker? He was one of the victims, wasn't he?
Commissioner Bill Grant
Number three, to be exact.
Dr. Bernard Rayburn
How could I have lost it in his car? I never laid eyes on him.
Commissioner Bill Grant
Here's the cap. Maggio found it yesterday. I'm afraid you laid more than eyes on him, Doc. I'm afraid you laid hands on him.
Dr. Bernard Rayburn
Let me see that thing. Thanks. Is mine. There's a crack down the middle. I dropped it and stepped on it the day before it disappeared. Grant.
Commissioner Bill Grant
I know, Dr. Rayburn. Me.
Dr. Bernard Rayburn
Me.
Commissioner Bill Grant
This street, Chestnut street, comprises the fourth side of the square in which the Strangler is operated. Also, take a look at the picture you drew.
Dr. Bernard Rayburn
Yes. Yes, it does look like me. How could I have missed it so?
Commissioner Bill Grant
Diagnose for me, Doc.
Dr. Bernard Rayburn
My diagnosis stands. Advanced schizophrenia.
Commissioner Bill Grant
And who's my strangler?
Dr. Bernard Rayburn
I can hardly, hardly believe it.
Commissioner Bill Grant
I am. Prescription, doc.
Dr. Bernard Rayburn
Get me the headquarters, quick.
Commissioner Bill Grant
We said nothing on the way downtown. He said nothing as we started up in the elevator. I looked at him, feeling sorry for a nice guy who was very, very sick. What I saw as I looked meant nothing to me. I'd never seen a phaseal change occur and it's difficult for anyone to see. So I wasn't prepared when the elevator stopped. After you, Doc. Turn loose, turn left. I went down, falling across the elevator entrance. And I didn't know that Libby was in my office and she didn't know. Rayburn is anything but a nice guy.
Libby Tyler
Oh, hello, doctor. Where's Bill?
Narrator
Bill?
Libby Tyler
Bill Grant. Commissioner Grant. He was with you, wasn't he?
Dr. Bernard Rayburn
Yes, he was.
Libby Tyler
Oh, well, I hope he hurries. I've got news for him. Maggio just called. They've picked up Hinderman.
Dr. Bernard Rayburn
Hinderman?
Libby Tyler
Yes, Hinderman. The janitor, the strangler. They found him hiding in the basement of an old house. Well, don't you realize what that means? Dr. Raper, everything you and Bill have been through, it's all over, finished.
Dr. Bernard Rayburn
Finished.
Libby Tyler
No more murders, no more terror, no more innocent victims. They've got the Strangler. What are you laughing at? You trying to make fun of me? Dr. Raber, what's the matter? What's the matter? Doctor? Doctor.
Commissioner Bill Grant
Doctor. What brought me to the surface was. And that same force dragged me out of the elevator and down the hall. I saw the glass door with my name on it. William Grant, Police Commissioner Ashlyn. Hey. Not strong enough to open it. I lunged forward and fell through. He swung around, and in that moment, as he tottered back, a change occurred. Dr. Rayburn snapped back himself again. And there was more surprise than accusation in his eyes as he said.
Dr. Bernard Rayburn
Why did you do that, Trent?
Commissioner Bill Grant
Why? Why? And the terror was over. Libby and I, we tried to forget.
Libby Tyler
So Hinderman was all coincidence. Sick enough, but definitely not the killer.
Commissioner Bill Grant
That's about it. Now, let's not talk about it.
Libby Tyler
This thing, it can happen to anybody. And you never know a thing about it.
Commissioner Bill Grant
It doesn't happen unless you're the type, sweetheart. And you get warnings. Don't worry.
Libby Tyler
Such as?
Commissioner Bill Grant
Well, you take me. The last year or so, I've felt a peculiar sort of thing. Tightening of the pulses. Heightening of the blood pressure quivering around the heart.
Libby Tyler
Really, Bill?
Commissioner Bill Grant
Yeah. It comes on at certain times.
Libby Tyler
What times?
Commissioner Bill Grant
Times when I look at you, baby. Bill.
Libby Tyler
Oh, Bill Grant.
Narrator
In just a moment, Commissioner Grant will return with the call. The Police Plaque of valor this week presented to a police officer who single handed captured a group of armed bandits. But now, you know, millions of women say that there's nothing like Rinso's safe. Soapy, rich suds, so safe for clothes, so easy on your hands. Next time you go to the store, be sure that Rinso heads your shopping list. Remember, the Rinso you get today is new Rinsel, the only soap that contains the scientific sunlight ingredient Solium Rento with sodium. Put sunshine in your wash and mark. This rental is used by more women than any other wash day soap in the world.
Commissioner Bill Grant
This is Bill Grant. It's with considerable pride that I present this week's call, the Police Plaque of Valor and cash award to an heroic Deputy Inspector of Police, James MacArthur of Cleveland, Ohio. MacArthur's Deed of Valor was reported by San Gimo, chief police reporter of the Cleveland Press. Shortly after midnight, a police broadcast announced that a robbery was in progress in a coffee shop in downtown Cleveland. MacArthur, who was cruising in the District, sped to the scene of the holdup without thought. To his personal safety, he ripped open the door and confronted a group of armed bandits. As MacArthur stepped into the room, three bullets whizzed past his head. He drew his revolver and fired. One of the gunmen went down wounded. The other three tried to escape, but MacArthur blocked their exit at gunpoint. The four bandits were sentenced to 10 to 25 years in Ohio State Penitentiary. His swift action, his cool courage and gallant devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the police forces of America. Congratulations to Deputy Inspector James MacArthur, Chief George J. Matowitz and the entire police department of Cleveland, Ohio.
Narrator
George Petrie was starred in the role of Bill Grant. Music was arranged and conducted by Ben Ludlow. This is Hugh James reminding you to be with us again next week when Lever Brothers Company, makers of new Renso with Solium, bring you another exciting police case. Listen next week to the case of the Mandarins Macaw.
Commissioner Bill Grant
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Narrator
Be sure to listen next week to call the police. This is NBC, the National Broadcasting Company.
Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio – "Call The Police 48-07-20 25 The Case Of The Unknown Strangler"
Episode Information:
The episode opens with Commissioner Bill Grant addressing the Ashland Police Department's homicide section, introducing the puzzling case of the Unknown Strangler. The town is gripped by fear as three innocent lives have been taken without any discernible motive, leaving the community and the police baffled.
Notable Quote:
Dr. Bernard Rayburn (00:55): "Between you and the evil outside the law stands the policeman of your community. He gives up his safety that you may be safe. And sometimes he gives up his life to protect yours."
The narrative recounts the first murder of Francie Abbey, a 47-year-old schoolteacher killed while preparing dinner. Two hours later, another victim, lawyer Joel Crocker, meets a similar fate. The murders occur within a tight timeframe, escalating the urgency for the department to find the killer.
Notable Quote:
Commissioner Bill Grant (02:31): "That was the curtain raiser. We found the dead woman two hours later and nothing, absolutely nothing to give us any insight into the motive behind the crime."
Realizing the complexity of the case, Commissioner Grant enlists the help of Dr. Bernard Rayburn, an expert in abnormal psychology. Dr. Rayburn proposes that the strangler may suffer from schizophrenia, causing him to lose awareness of his heinous actions during different phases of his condition.
Notable Quote:
Dr. Bernard Rayburn (09:07): "I can tell you that he's an obviously schizophrenic type. Meaning, among other things, that even he very probably doesn't know that he's the strangler."
Sergeant Maggio discovers a clue—a fountain pen cap—in the victim Leonard Walker's car. This pen cap connects to Dr. Rayburn, raising suspicions about his involvement. The team pieces together the geographic patterns of the murders, focusing their search within a specific area bounded by Fulham Street, Tyson Street, and Dale Avenue, with Burgoyne Park at the center.
Notable Quote:
Commissioner Bill Grant (12:07): "His ring features this particular key. Look at the tag on it, chief, huh? Key to the basement of 894 Tyson St."
The team arrests Ray Hinderman, a janitor connected to the crime scenes. However, as they interrogate him, a shocking twist unfolds. Commissioner Grant realizes that Dr. Rayburn himself is the strangler. Due to his schizophrenic condition, Rayburn inadvertently committed the murders without conscious awareness, embodying a monstrous personality different from his usual self.
Notable Quote:
Commissioner Bill Grant (23:15): "I am. Prescription, doc."
Despite apprehending Hinderman, it becomes evident that Rayburn is the true perpetrator. As Rayburn attempts to flee, Commissioner Grant experiences a phase change, momentarily losing control and witnessing Rayburn's escape. The episode concludes with unresolved tensions, highlighting the complexities of mental illness and the challenges faced by law enforcement in such intricate cases.
Notable Quote:
Libby Tyler (26:17): "So Hinderman was all coincidence. Sick enough, but definitely not the killer."
Dr. Bernard Rayburn (00:55):
"Between you and the evil outside the law stands the policeman of your community. He gives up his safety that you may be safe. And sometimes he gives up his life to protect yours."
Commissioner Bill Grant (02:31):
"That was the curtain raiser. We found the dead woman two hours later and nothing, absolutely nothing to give us any insight into the motive behind the crime."
Dr. Bernard Rayburn (09:07):
"I can tell you that he's an obviously schizophrenic type. Meaning, among other things, that even he very probably doesn't know that he's the strangler."
Commissioner Bill Grant (12:07):
"His ring features this particular key. Look at the tag on it, chief, huh? Key to the basement of 894 Tyson St."
Commissioner Bill Grant (23:15):
"I am. Prescription, doc."
Libby Tyler (26:17):
"So Hinderman was all coincidence. Sick enough, but definitely not the killer."
Conclusion
"The Case Of The Unknown Strangler" masterfully weaves a tale of suspense, psychological intrigue, and unexpected twists. Through Commissioner Grant's relentless pursuit and the collaborative efforts of his team, listeners are engaged in a classic whodunit that underscores the unpredictable nature of criminal investigations during the Golden Age of Radio.