America’s First Serial Killer Was Forgotten on Purpose

Before Jack the Ripper, America’s first serial killer was already hunting.
The Servant Girl Annihilator terrorized Austin, Texas in the 1880s—one of the most forgotten true crime stories in U.S. history.

In the 1880s, long before “serial killer” became a term, a wave of brutal nighttime murders terrorized Austin, Texas. The victims were mostly Black women working as domestic servants. The killer was never caught. And over time, the story quietly disappeared from history.

They called him The Servant Girl Annihilator.

In this episode of Yore Town, we dive deep into the real, documented history of the murders, the social conditions that allowed them to continue, the investigative failures of early policing, and why this case never became as famous as others—even though it may predate Jack the Ripper.

This is not folklore.
This is not legend.
This is real American true crime history that was allowed to fade away.

If you’re fascinated by forgotten crimes, unsolved serial killers, and the dark side of small-town history, this episode is for you.

️ About the Beard Laws Network
The Beard Laws Network is home to multiple long-form storytelling shows focused on real events, forgotten history, true crime, disasters, and moments that shaped communities. Every episode is built to inform, engage, and preserve real stories—especially those tied to local and regional history.

If you lived through the Ice Storm of 1998—or want to understand how fragile modern life can be—this story matters.

If you enjoy deep storytelling, real history, and documentary-style episodes, consider subscribing to the Beard Laws Network.

 

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