The Murder of Bobby Franks

Summary

History Daily: The Murder of Bobby Franks

Episode Release Date: May 21, 2025
Host: Lindsay Graham | Produced by Airship, Noiser, Wondery

---

Introduction

On this episode of History Daily, host Lindsay Graham delves into one of the most infamous murder cases of the early 20th century: the brutal killing of 14-year-old Bobby Franks. This case not only shocked the nation due to the heinous nature of the crime but also because the perpetrators were two young, affluent students who turned on each other during the ensuing trial. Graham takes listeners through the intricate details of the event, the investigation, and the landmark legal battle that followed.

The Perpetrators: Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb

The story begins by introducing Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, two exceptionally intelligent 18-year-olds from privileged backgrounds who shared a deep fascination with criminology. Both had completed their education early due to their intellectual prowess. Leopold had graduated from the University of Chicago, while Loeb was the youngest graduate from the University of Michigan. Their mutual interests and intellect led them to form a close friendship, which eventually evolved into a romantic relationship.

[Spring Transcript Excerpt: 00:12]
Narrator: "The two young men became friends and then lovers. But Richard and Nathan share more than just a privileged background and above-average intelligence. They both have a passion for criminology, and their interest goes beyond theory."

The Path to Crime

Driven by boredom and a desire to execute what they considered "the perfect crime," Leopold and Loeb meticulously planned the abduction and murder of a random victim. Initially, they attempted a burglary of the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity house at the University of Michigan but were dissatisfied with the minimal loot they acquired—only $80, a few watches, and a typewriter.

Frustrated by the lack of excitement, Richard confided in Nathan his ambition to commit murder, believing it would elevate their criminal endeavors to a more thrilling level. This confession marked the turning point from petty crime to premeditated murder.

[05:21]
Narrator: "Richard suggests they carry out the perfect crime, aiming for a murder that would leave no trace and mystify the authorities."

The Murder of Bobby Franks

On May 21, 1924, Leopold and Loeb executed their plan. Targeting Bobby Franks, Richard's 14-year-old cousin, was serendipitous rather than random. They lured Bobby into their car under the guise of offering him a ride home from school. Once inside, they overpowered him, subduing him with a chisel before driving to Wolf Lake, Indiana, where they brutally murdered him and disposed of his body.

[00:45] Lindsey Graham: "Within moments of his abduction, Bobby Franks will be dead."

The Investigation and Clues

The discovery of Bobby's body the following morning in a culvert near Wolf Lake set off a swift investigation. Officers found the boy naked with burn marks on his face, alongside a single stocking and horn-rimmed glasses. The absence of immediate links to the crime made identifying the perpetrators challenging initially.

Meanwhile, in Chicago, Bobby's father, Jacob Franks, received a ransom note demanding $10,000 for his son's safe return. Soon after, the police linked the ransom note to the discovered body, realizing it was indeed Bobby.

[10:37]
Narrator: "Jacob carefully opens the letter. It says he must pay $10,000 if he wants to see his son again."

The Arrests of Leopold and Loeb

A breakthrough occurred when detectives traced the unique pair of horn-rimmed glasses found at the crime scene to Nathan Leopold. Upon interrogating Leopold, the case against him appeared circumstantial but strengthened when evidence, including love letters between Leopold and Loeb, cast doubt on their alibis.

Richard Loeb was subsequently questioned and initially corroborated Leopold's alibi. However, inconsistencies in his statements led to his breakdown and eventual confession. Both young men admitted to the crime but vehemently blamed each other for the actual act of murder.

[15:04]
Clarence Darrow: "Ladies and gentlemen of the court..."

The Trial and Clarence Darrow's Defense

The high-profile trial attracted nationwide attention, not least because the defense was helmed by the renowned attorney Clarence Darrow. Darrow opted for a guilty plea to expedite the trial process, avoiding a jury trial that might be swayed by public sentiment.

During the sentencing hearing, Darrow presented an impassioned defense, arguing that Leopold and Loeb were victims of their psychological and environmental influences. He highlighted their abusive upbringing and questioned their mental stability, suggesting that their intellect and privilege isolated them from empathy and moral responsibility.

[16:21] Unknown Ads Segment (Skipped)

Clarence Darrow's strategy was unprecedented. He aimed to prevent a jury from sentencing the two young men to death by appealing directly to the judge's sense of justice and mercy.

[17:20] Lindsey Graham: "Made by a judge alone."

After a grueling eight-hour plea, Darrow successfully convinced the judge to spare Leopold and Loeb from capital punishment. Instead, they were sentenced to life imprisonment plus 99 years for kidnapping.

Aftermath and Legacy

The verdict sent shockwaves through America. While legal experts lauded Darrow's arguments, many ordinary citizens were outraged that two young, wealthy men avoided the death penalty. The case sparked widespread debate on the death penalty and the influence of wealth and intellect in the justice system.

Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb began their sentences at Joliet Prison. Their lives took divergent paths post-incarceration. Richard Loeb was murdered in prison in 1936, twelve years after his sentencing, while Nathan Leopold served 34 years before being paroled and lived until 1971.

Conclusion

The murder of Bobby Franks remains a pivotal moment in American legal history, illustrating the complexities of justice, privilege, and the human psyche. Clarence Darrow's defense not only saved Leopold and Loeb from execution but also set significant legal precedents that influenced future capital cases.

[19:31] Lindsey Graham: "From Noiser and Airship, this is History Daily."

Join us next time on History Daily as we explore another pivotal event that shaped our world, one day at a time.

---

Credits:
Hosted, edited, and executive produced by Lindsey Graham
Audio editing by Mohammed Shahzib
Sound design by Matthew Filler
Music by Thrum
Research and writing by Rob Scragg
Edited by Scott Reeves
Managing Producer: Emily Burke
Executive Producers: William Simpson (Airship), Pascal Hughes (Noiser)

---

Notable Quotes:

• Lindsey Graham [00:12]: "The brutal murder case will hit the headlines and shock the entire nation."
• Lindsey Graham [00:45]: "Within moments of his abduction, Bobby Franks will be dead."
• Clarence Darrow [15:04]: (Excerpt from trial arguments)
• Lindsey Graham [17:20]: "Made by a judge alone."

---

For more detailed stories of pivotal historical events, subscribe to History Daily on your favorite podcast platform.

Transcript

[Lindsey Graham]

There are more ways than ever to listen to History Daily ad free. Listen with Wondry plus in the Wondery.

[Unknown]

App as a member of Noiser plus at noiser.com or in Apple Podcasts.

[Lindsey Graham]

Or you can get all of History.

[Unknown]

Daily plus other fantastic history [e-mail] It's May 21, 1924, in Kenwood, a neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. Commuters dream past 14 year old Bobby Franks as he walks home from school after a long day in the classroom, Bobby daydreams about the supper he hopes his mom will have ready for him. But Bobby is so lost in his.

[Lindsey Graham]

Thoughts that he doesn't hear a car.

[Unknown]

Slow down alongside him. It isn't until a voice from inside the vehicle calls out that Bobby stops, turns and squints against the low sun. It takes him a moment to recognize the passenger in the back of the car. It's his 18 year old cousin, Richard Loeb. The driver, though, is a young man. Bobby Duck recognize. Richard reaches forward and opens the passenger door, telling Bobby to jump in that they'll give him a ride home. Bobby shakes his head and says no, his house is practically around the corner. A ride hardly seems worth it. Bobby starts to walk again, but Richard calls him back, repeating his offer of a ride, and says he wants to ask Bobby about his new tennis racket. Bobby takes one last look up the street. His cousin seems so insistent, so Bobby shrugs, gets into the car. But as soon as the car pulls away from the curb, Richard clamps his hand over Bobby's mouth. Bobby struggles, but Richard has a strong grip. As Bobby panics, he notices the car turn south, away from his house, away from the home that he'll now never return to. Within moments of his abduction, Bobby Franks will be dead. The brutal murder case will hit the headlines and shock the entire nation. And not just because one of the killers will be identified as Bobby's relative. The two murderers will also turn on each other and the resulting trial will grip the country before Richard Loeb and Nathan Leopold are finally brought to justice for the murder of 14 year old Bobby Franks on May 21, 1924.

[Lindsey Graham]

History Daily is sponsored by Express Pros. Managing your workforce can be exhausting. And if you're tired of a costly and lengthy hiring process, simplify and speed up your recruitment with one connection the experts at Express Employment Professionals reduce time to hire, cut down on interviews and lower your recruitment costs. Visit ExpressPros.com today. Express is more efficient than hiring on your own. Check out ExpressPros.com to see how Express employment professionals can take care of your hiring.

[Unknown]

With the Spark Cash plus card from Capital One, you earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase and you get big purchasing power so your business can spend more and earn more. Steven, Brandon and Bruno, the business owners of Sandcloud, reinvested their 2% cash back to help build their retail presence. Now that's serious business. What could the Spark Cash plus card from Capital One do for your business? Capital One? What's in your wallet? Find out [e-mail] SparkCashPlus terms apply.

[Lindsey Graham]

From.

[Unknown]

Noiser and Airship I'm Lindsey Graham and this is History. Daily history is made every day on this podcast. Every day we tell the true stories of the people and events that shaped our world. Today is May 21, 1924. The murder of Bobby Franks it's the night of November 10, 1923, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, six months before Bobby Franks is abducted and killed. Richard Loeb and Nathan Leopold stare through the windshield of their car at a dark building across the street. It's the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity house at the University of Michigan where Richard used to study. Richard is only 18, but he's a child genius who left Ann Arbor last year as the University of Michigan's youngest ever graduate. He then took postgraduate classes at the University of Chicago, and that's where he met another 18 year old child genius who had also completed his high school studies early, Nathan Leopold. The two young men became friends and then lovers. But Richard and Nathan share more than just a privileged background and above average intelligence. They both have a passion for criminology, and their interest goes beyond theory. Tonight, they're taking their first steps into a life of crime. Richard and Nathan slip on masks to conceal their identities, and after quietly opening and closing the car doors, they creep toward the fraternity house carrying rope, a chisel and a revolver. They've come prepared to use force if they have to, but no one hears them break in. Richard uses his knowledge of the house to lead Nathan around its rooms.

[Lindsey Graham]

Although there are slim pickings for the.

[Unknown]

Two thieves, they return to the car with a meager haul of $80, a few watches and a typewriter. On the six hour drive back to Chicago, Nathan is in a foul mood. The thrill of the break in has passed and now he complains that the trip has been a waste of time for such little reward. But Richard manages to calm Nathan down by directing the conversation onto a more sinister topic. Rather than breaking an entry in Burglary, Richard harbors ambitions of more serious lawbreaking. He confides his desire to carry out what he calls the perfect crime. Richard wants to commit a murder, and he wants to get away with it. He knows that revealing his desire to kill is a risk. But Nathan isn't appalled by Richard's confession. In fact, Nathan seems intrigued by the idea. Almost immediately, Richard and Nathan begin planning their murderous project. Initially, they propose killing a former fraternity brother, One who Richard has had a falling out with. But Richard and Nathan soon realize that a targeted killing would be too risky. Detectives would easily be able to suss out the motive and track the murder back to them. So instead, Richard and Nathan decide they'll choose a random victim, Ideally one who will be easy to overpower and to throw the police off the scent. They'll make the murder seem like a kidnapping. Sir. Richard and Nathan begin to devise a ransom drop that they think is foolproof. They'll direct the family of their victim to throw a package containing $10,000 in cash from a moving train at a specified point along the track. Nathan and Richard will be waiting nearby to collect it and then make good on their escape. But they have no intention of letting their victim go. They plan to kill them almost immediately. Next, Richard and Nathan pick a second location where they'll dispose of the body. They select a remote culvert near Wolf lake, Indiana, A half hour drive south of Chicago. So with a plan in place, Richard and Nathan devise fake identities and use them to hire a car. The rental company hands over the keys with only a minimum of checks on the forged documents. And then the young men use the car to go buy a rope, a chisel, and hydrochloric acid, which they plan to pour on the body to make it more difficult to identify. Last but not least, Nathan uses the typewriter stolen from the fraternity house to write out the ransom note. The following day, on May 21, 1924, Richard and Nathan cruise the streets of suburban Chicago in their rental car. They're still unsure who their victim might be. It's pure chance that they spot Richard's cousin, Bobby Franks, Walking home from school. Although Richard and Nathan's plan was to abduct a random pedestrian, the opportunity to coax Bobby into the car is too good to turn down. And after Bobby gets into the front seat, he's quickly subdued and hit repeatedly over the head with the chisel. Richard and Nathan then dump Bobby's body near Wolf lake and then return to Chicago, Confident that everything has gone according to plan. But despite their self assurance, Richard and Nathan have not committed the perfect crime. They've made mistakes. And thanks to these errors, it won't be long before the police will come knocking on their door.

[Lindsey Graham]

History Daily is sponsored by Indeed. Are you a business owner? I am. I run a podcast production company. What's my number one expense? My people. But what's my number one competitive advantage? My people. And that makes any new hire my number one most critical business decision. It probably is for you too. So remember this when it comes to hiring, Indeed is all you need. Stop struggling to get your job Post seen on other job sites. Indeed Sponsored Jobs help you stand out and hire fast. With Sponsored Jobs, your post jumps to the top of the page for your relevant candidates so you can reach the people you want faster.

[Unknown]

And you get all of this with.

[Lindsey Graham]

No monthly subscriptions or long term contracts. There's no need to wait any longer. Speed up your hiring right now with.

[Unknown]

Indeed History Daily, listeners can get a.

[Lindsey Graham]

$75 sponsored job credit to get your jobs more visibility@ Indeed.com OnThisDay just go to Indeed.com OnThisDay right now to support the show and get hiring Indeed.com OnThisDay terms and conditions apply. Hiring Indeed is all you need. History Daily is sponsored by Atruby. Lately you may have been hearing about a serious but rare heart condition called attr Cardiac Amyloidosis, or attrcm. Because symptoms can be similar to other heart conditions, it may take time to be diagnosed, but learning more about ATTRCM and a treatment called Atrube, also called Acharamatis, could be important for you or a loved one. Atrubi is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with ATTRCM to reduce death and hospitalization due to heart issues. In one study, people taking taking a truby saw an impact on their health related quality of life and 50% fewer hospitalizations due to heart issues than people who didn't take a truby, giving you more chances to do what you love with who you love. Tell your doctor if you're pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding and about the medications you take. The most common side effects were mild and included diarrhea and abdominal pain. If you have attrcm, talk to your cardiologist about a Truby or visit attruby.com that's att r u b-y.com to learn more.

[Unknown]

It's 9:00am on May 22, 1924 in Wolf Lake, Indiana, around 16 hours after Bobby Franks was kidnapped and killed. A laborer whistles as he ambles to work following the path of a dirt road where it crosses the Pennsylvania Railroad. As he dodges puddles left by last night's heavy rain, the laborer glances into the culvert by the side of the road and his jolly whistle dies on his lips. Something is sticking out of the gutter and it looks like a human foot. The laborer wonders if someone has fallen into the culvert after drinking too much the night before. So he carefully climbs down the grassy bank, slipping on the wet mud. But as he gets closer, the laborer's worst fears are confirmed. It's a dead body, but not of a man.

[Lindsey Graham]

It's a boy.

[Unknown]

The laborer runs to the nearest telephone and alerts the police. Officers arrive within minutes and they quickly see that this death was no accident. The boy is naked and has what looks like burn marks on his face. But it's not immediately obvious how the boy died. And the only other clues the officers find at the scene are a single stocking and a pair of horn rimmed glasses. The body is taken away for further examination at the same time. 25 miles north, in Kenwood, Chicago, Jacob Franks nervously opens a letter that's just been delivered by the mailman. Jacob is Bobby Franks father and he's not slept a wink. Bobby didn't return home from school yesterday and late in the evening Jacob received a telephone call from a man claiming he'd abducted Bobby. The man told Jacob to await instructions to pay a ransom that would arrive in the mail. Now, after an anxious night, the ransom note has just been delivered. Jacob carefully opens the letter. It says he must pay $10,000 if he wants to see his son again. And that instructions as to when and where he must leave the cash will follow. A few minutes later, Jacob's telephone rings. It's one of the abductors. He gives Jacob a convoluted set of instructions he must follow to find the ransom drop location. Jacob sends a family member out to follow the directions. But the instructions are so complicated the that the family member soon becomes lost. Then just before 3pm, Jacob receives another phone call. But this one makes the ransom demand meaningless. The police have found a body and they suspect it's Bobby's. Distraught, Jacob heads for the mortuary to confirm the identification. It's a harrowing experience for Jacob, but his visit to the mortuary provides the first break in the case. That's because Jacob reveals that the glasses found at the crime scene did not belong to Bobby. Detectives immediately set about tracing the owner of the glasses. And in a stroke of luck it turns out that only Three such pairs have been sold in the entire Chicago area over the next few days. Two of the three owners are easily ruled out, and the remaining buyer then becomes the chief suspect, Nathan Leopold. Eight days after Bobby's murder, Nathan is brought in for questioning. But Nathan knows the case against him is circumstantial and he provides an alibi. On the afternoon that Bobby went missing, Nathan says he was driving around town with his friend Richard Loeb and the two men were on the lookout for girls. Nathan's alibi is undermined though, when officers search his home and find love letters exchanged by the two young men. It's enough to make the detectives doubt Nathan's story and they haul Richard in for questioning the following day. Richard initially corroborates Nathan's story, but but then he slips up and reveals several details only the murderer would know. Under increasing pressure from investigators, Richard cracks and confesses shortly after. Nathan also admits his part, but both men claim it was the other who instigated the plot and actually killed Bobby. As details of the case filter out in the press, the murder dominates the headlines in Chicago for weeks. Readers are gripped by the story of two two privileged lovers who killed an innocent boy simply because they thought they were clever enough to get away with it. Neither suspect shows remorse and prosecutors soon announce they'll be seeking the death penalty. But Nathan and Richard's parents have other plans. Despite their own shock at their son's cold blooded crime, Richard and Nathan's families are wealthy enough to hire the best defense money can buy. They will engage the services of a high profile attorney and entrust him to use every trick in the book to keep their sons away from the hangman's noose.

[Clarence Darrow]

Craving your next action packed adventure, Audible delivers thrills of every kind on your command. Like Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir where a lone astronaut must save humanity from extinction. Narrated with stunning intensity by Ray Porter from electrifying suspense and daring quests to spine tingling horror and romance in far off realms, unleash your adventure aside with gripping titles that'll keep you guessing. Discover exclusive Audible originals, hotly anticipated new releases and must listen bestsellers that hook you from the first minute. Because Audible knows there's no greater thrill than the one that speaks to you. Discover what lies beyond the edge of your seat. Start your free 30 day trial at audible.com wonderyus that's audible.com wonderyus@t mobile.

[Unknown]

We'll give you four free 5G phones and four lines for only $25 per line per month with eligible trade ins. And no, it's not a contest. It's every day for a limited time. Everyone's a winner on America's largest 5G network. Minimum of 4 lines for 25 per line per month with auto paid discount using debit or bank account $5 more per line without autopay up to $830 off each phone via 24 monthly bill credits plus taxes, fees and ten dollar device connection charge for well qualified customers. Contact us before canceling entire account to continue bill credits or credit stop and balance on required finance agreement too. Bill credits end if you pay up.

Devices early ctmobile.com It's August 22, 1924 at Cook County Criminal Court in Chicago. Three months after the arrest of Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, 67 year old Clarence Darrow pushes himself to his feet and addresses the judge. Clarence is a defense attorney with a formidable reputation, but he's found few cases tougher than the one he's currently on because sitting beside him are two self confessed and unrepentant murderers, Richard Loeb and Nathan Leopold. 33 days ago, when the case came to court, Clarence persuaded his clients to enter a guilty plea. It was a choice that surprised most, but Clarence had sound reasoning. The plea removed the need for a trial where 12 civilians on a jury would have decided Richard and Nathan's fate. Instead, the case went straight to a sentencing hearing with the decision on punishment.

[Lindsey Graham]

Made by a judge alone.

[Unknown]

Clarence believed he had a greater chance of saving the pair from execution by arguing his case to a single judge rather than a jury. And now it's time for closing remarks. Clarence begins by tackling a legal point of order. Richard and Nathan have confessed their parts in the plot, but only one of them is the actual killer. Both men claim the other was responsible, and prosecutors have been unable to work out who dealt the fatal blows. Clarence argues that if it's impossible to identify the actual murderer, then neither man should hang. Clarence then moves on to mitigating factors. He casts doubt on the state of Richard and Nathan's mental health. He claims that both men were abused by their governesses, and Clarence draws upon medical experts to suggest that defective endocrine glands contributed to Richard and Nathan's behavior and and state of mind. All told, Clarence preaches to the judge for almost eight hours. Prosecutors try their best to counter Clarence's arguments, but three weeks later, when the judge delivers his verdict, Clarence has pulled off what most legal experts believed was impossible. Richard and Nathan are spared the death penalty. Instead, they're both sentenced to life for the murder with an additional 99 years for kidnapping. Clarence Darrow's victory shocks America, and the validity of his arguments are hotly debated in legal circles, where they will set precedents that impact capital cases for decades to come. But many ordinary people are just angry that Richard and Nathan have avoided execution. The two killers began their incarceration at Joliet Prison in Illinois, and after serving 12 years, Richard Loeb will be murdered himself by a fellow inmate in 1936. Nathan Leopold will survive his time in prison, though, and will serve a total of 34 years before being released on parole. He'll live out his remaining years in Florida and die in 1971, 47 years after his part in the brutal kidnapping and murder of Bobby Franks on May 21, 1924. Next on History Daily May 22, 2002. A jury in Alabama convicts a former.

[Lindsey Graham]

Ku Klux Klan member of bombing a Baptist church almost four decades earlier.

[Unknown]

From Noiser and Airship, this is History Daily. Hosted, edited and executive produced by me, Lindsey Graham Audio editing by Mohammed Shahzib Sound design by Matthew Filler Music by Thrum. This episode is written and researched by Rob Scragg. Edited by Scott Reeves Managing producer Emily Burke Executive producers are William Simpson for Airship, Pascal Hughes for Noiser.

[Chico Felitti]

Everyone has that friend who seems kind of perfect for Patty. That friend was Tessie Ray. Until one day I texted her and.

[Unknown]

She was not getting the text. So I went to Instagram. She has no Instagram anymore. And Facebook. No Facebook anymore.

[Chico Felitti]

Desiree was gone. And there was one person who knew the answer.

[Unknown]

I am a spiritual person, a magical person, a witch.

[Chico Felitti]

A gorgeous Brazilian influencer called Kat Torres, but who was hiding a secret from wondering. Based on my smash hit podcast from Brazil comes a new series, Don't Cross Cat, about a search that led me to a mystery in a Texas suburb. I'm calling to check on the two missing Brazilian girls.

[Unknown]

Maybe get some undercover crew there. The family are freaking out. They are locked.

[Chico Felitti]

I'm Chico Felitti. You can listen to Don't Cross Cat on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts.