Podcast Summary: Morbid - Episode 628: The Murder of Nancy Evans Titterton
Introduction
In Episode 628 of Morbid, hosted by Ash and Elena, the duo delves into the chilling true crime case of Nancy Evans Titterton. Set against the backdrop of 1930s New York City, this episode meticulously unpacks the life, tragic death, and subsequent investigation surrounding Nancy, a rising literary figure whose promising career was abruptly cut short by a brutal murder.
Nancy Evans Titterton: A Promising Literary Career
Nancy Violet Evans was born in 1903 in Dayton, Ohio, demonstrating an early passion for reading and writing. Graduating high school in 1920, she pursued an English degree at Antioch College, where she excelled, earning multiple writing awards. Upon returning to Dayton in 1924, Nancy briefly worked in a factory before running a small bookshop. Seeking greater opportunities, she relocated to New York City, immersing herself in the literary scene.
In New York, Nancy secured a job as a bookseller at Lord and Taylor in Greenwich Village while actively writing book reviews for various newspapers. Her dedication paid off in 1935 when Story magazine published her short story, I Shall Decline My Head, earning her acclaim and a contract for her first novel with Story Press.
“Nancy was not flashy in any way. She'd rather discuss a new book than anything else,” Ash notes [08:57], highlighting Nancy's humble and bookish nature.
Life in Beekman Place and The Tragic Night
In 1929, Nancy married Lewis Titterton, a distinguished British academic and assistant editor at Atlantic Monthly. The couple moved to Beekman Place, East Manhattan—a location that would later become infamous for a series of unrelated murders.
On the morning of April 10, 1936, Good Friday, Lewis left for work and reached home in the morning to discover Nancy had received a mysterious letter. Later that day, amid normal deliveries to their apartment, the first signs of tragedy emerged. A maid heard a desperate call for the building’s handyman, Dudley, but dismissed it as routine maintenance issues. That afternoon, an upholsterer named Theodore Krueger and his assistant, John Fiorenza, delivered a loveseat to the Titterton residence. Upon entering, Krueger noticed Nancy lying nude in the bathtub, strangled with her own pajamas and housecoat.
“Nancy was laying face down in the tub. She was nude, except for a white slip around her waist and the pink pajama top and house coat that had been tied around her neck,” Ash describes [16:25].
The Investigation: Clues and Forensic Breakthroughs
Detectives arrived swiftly, finding no signs of struggle in the living areas, suggesting Nancy knew her attacker. However, evidence in the bedroom hinted at an assault, with disarray and torn clothing indicating a violent confrontation. Medical Examiner Thomas Gonzalez discovered that Nancy was still alive when placed in the tub, causing her death by asphyxiation [17:20].
Key clues included:
- A 12-inch cord underneath Nancy’s body, presumed to bind her wrists.
- An unidentified fingerprint on the bathroom tub.
- A fountain pen found on the bedroom floor.
“The strangulation caused a hemorrhage of the larynx and three slight internal hemorrhages of the scalp,” Ash reports [24:12].
Initial suspects included four painters working in the building, but alibis ruled them out. A significant lead emerged from Countess Alice Hoyos, a neighbor who reported multiple suspicious ringings of her door by an unknown man disguised to sound different each time, with the last call occurring hours before Nancy’s murder [23:07].
Tracing the Cord: Linking Fiorenza to the Crime
Forensic advancements of the time, particularly in fingerprinting using silver nitrate, were pivotal yet time-consuming. The breakthrough came when Dr. Alexander Getler, a biochemist with the NYPD, re-examined the crime scene and discovered an unusual horse hair on Nancy's bedspread [42:18]. This hair matched those from the loveseat delivered that morning, linking the crime to Theodore Krueger's upholstery shop.
Detectives traced the cord to Hanover Cordage Company in York, Pennsylvania, narrowing the suspect pool to individuals associated with Theodore Krueger's shop. Despite extensive interviews ruling out Krueger himself, suspicion fell on his assistant, John Fiorenza, who had a troubling criminal history and exhibited extreme social isolation [36:25].
“John Fiorenza was described as a 'personality deviate who would have difficulty in learning to refrain from illegal acts from time to time,'” Ash explains [38:30].
Confession and Trial: Fiorenza's Downfall
Under 24-hour surveillance, Fiorenza's alibi unraveled when it was revealed he couldn’t have met his probation officer on Good Friday. Confronted with mounting evidence, including his confession after 16 hours of interrogation, Fiorenza disclosed his motives and actions on that fateful day [47:32].
“With Nancy gagged, he started ripping off her clothes in a frenzy. He strangled her with her pajamas and housecoat,” Ash recounts [48:48].
Despite initial disbelief from those who knew him, the evidence was overwhelming. The prosecution presented a compelling case, while Fiorenza’s defense struggled to counteract his detailed confession. Psychiatric testimonies attempted to paint Fiorenza as mentally unstable, but opposing expert witnesses affirmed his awareness and intent [57:59].
After a grueling trial, the jury found Fiorenza guilty of first-degree murder and rape [63:10]. Despite appeals and his assertion of insanity, Fiorenza was sentenced to death and executed in January 1937 [66:17].
Conclusion: Reflections on Justice and Investigation
Ash and Elena reflect on the dedication and meticulous work of the 65 detectives involved in solving Nancy’s murder. “Science played a deciding role in the solution,” Ash emphasizes [55:46]. The case stands as a testament to early forensic science and relentless investigative efforts, ultimately bringing justice to a senseless crime.
“It's an incredibly tragic case, but very interesting on the investigation side,” Elena concludes [68:09], underscoring the impact of effective police work in unraveling such complex mysteries.
Notable Quotes
- Ash on Nancy’s character: “Nancy was not flashy in any way. She'd rather discuss a new book than anything else.” [08:57]
- Ash describing the crime scene: “Nancy was laying face down in the tub. She was nude, except for a white slip around her waist and the pink pajama top and house coat that had been tied around her neck.” [16:25]
- Ash on forensic findings: “The strangulation caused a hemorrhage of the larynx and three slight internal hemorrhages of the scalp.” [24:12]
- Ash on Fiorenza’s confession: “With Nancy gagged, he started ripping off her clothes in a frenzy. He strangled her with her pajamas and housecoat.” [48:48]
- Reflection on investigation: “Science played a deciding role in the solution.” [55:46]
Final Thoughts
Episode 628 of Morbid offers a gripping narrative of Nancy Evans Titterton’s life and untimely death, blending historical context with the suspense of a true crime investigation. Through detailed storytelling and insightful commentary, Ash and Elena illuminate the complexities of early forensic methods and the human elements intertwined in the pursuit of justice.