The Lindbergh Kidnapping Presentation created by Robert Martinez Primary Content Source: True Crime by Nick Yapp Images as cited. http://charleslindbergh.com/kidnap/linddead.jpg

In 1927 Charles A. Lindbergh became a national hero in the United States. At the age of 25, he had been the first person to make a solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean.

“The Lone Eagle”, as the press dubbed him, was modest, charming, and good-looking, and his fame lasted. http://judicial-inc.biz/Lindbe2.jpg

Three years later, he and his wife Anne Morrow Lindbergh were America’s golden couple, to such an extent that they felt compelled to flee from the public. http://judicial-inc.biz/Lindbe2.jpg http://charleslindbergh.com/kidnap/linddead.jpg

They built a house on a remote tract of land in New Jersey near the little town of Hopewell, and here, on June 22, 1930, their first child was born. http://charleslindbergh.com/kidnap/linddead.jpg

“The Eaglet”, as the child came to be known, lived for fewer than two years. http://www.trutv.com/graphics/photos/notorious_murders/classics/brooke_hart/1-1-Charles-Lindbergh-Jr.jpg

On the cold, rainy night of May 1, 1932, somewhere between 8 and 10 p On the cold, rainy night of May 1, 1932, somewhere between 8 and 10 p.m., the little boy was kidnapped. Ladder found at the nursery window. http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/graphics/photos/notorious_murders/famous/lindberg/Ladder(200).jpg

General Norman Schwarzkopf Lindbergh was out hunting with his Springfield rifle for signs of the kidnapper when the State Police arrived, headed by their chief, H. Norman Schwarzkopf (father of General “Stormin” Norman Schwarzkopf of Desert Storm). H. Norman Schwarzkopf Police Chief General Norman Schwarzkopf Desert Storm http://www.lindberghkidnappinghoax.com/hnorman.jpg

Lindbergh had already found an envelope Lindbergh had already found an envelope. Inside they found a ransom note in blue ink demanding $50,000. Details of where to place the money would follow. http://charleslindbergh.com/kidnap/linddead.jpg

The police were not to be informed The police were not to be informed. Three days later another note arrived, raising the ransom to $70,000.

Lindbergh was prepared to do whatever was asked for the return of his child.

A meeting was arranged at the Woodlawn Cemetary in the Bronx (New York City) with a man who called himself “Cemetary John”, following which the child’s sleeping suit was mailed to Lindbergh. http://www.flickr.com/photos/louis_z_bickett_ii/3420775605/

A second meeting was arranged, attended by both Condon and Lindbergh A second meeting was arranged, attended by both Condon and Lindbergh. They heard Cemetary John call them in a strong German accent. Police Sketches of “Cemetary John” http://charleslindbergh.com/kidnap/linddead.jpg

Lindbergh handed over $50,000 in “gold-notes”, and received a note allegedly telling him where to find the victim. It was now over a month since the little boy had been taken. http://www.lindberghkidnappinghoax.com/rancash.jpg

The note was worthless. Another month was to pass before the body of Charles Jr. was found, just four miles from home. http://charleslindbergh.com/kidnap/linddead.jpg

It was little more than a skeleton, hidden in a heap of rotting vegetation. The left leg, left hand, and right arm were missing. The cause of death was a massive fracture of the skull. http://www.celebritymorgue.com/lindbergh-baby/lindbergh-baby.jpg

At first, one of the Lindbergh’s servants was suspected of the crime At first, one of the Lindbergh’s servants was suspected of the crime. The poor woman was so upset by such an accusation that she killed herself, swallowing silver polish that contained arsenic. http://www.lindberghkidnappinghoax.com/weirdviolet.jpg http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisanne001/265661079/

And then, almost a year after the discovery of the body, some of the ransom money turned up at a gas station in the Bronx. http://wnyheritagepress.org/photosofweek/fillmore_william_gas_detail.jpg

The gas station manager thought it odd that a customer should pay for 98 cents of gas with a $10 bill, and noted the license plate number on the car. http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b41/08822/Apr2211.jpg

It turned out to be registered to a man named Bruno Hauptmann, a German who had entered the States illegally in 1923.

Hauptmann’s trial was held in Fleming, New Jersey Hauptmann’s trial was held in Fleming, New Jersey. Hauptmann was found guilty. Charles Lindbergh testifying in court. http://charleslindbergh.com/kidnap/linddead.jpg

In the little time between sentence and execution, he was vilified in the press, but later doubts were voiced as to the justice of his trial and sentence. http://charleslindbergh.com/kidnap/linddead.jpg

For 60 years, up to her death in 1994, his widow Anna persisted that he had been innocent. http://www.capitalcentury.com/thechair.jpg

As for the Lindberghs, they had another son, and left the United States to settle in Europe, where the “Lone Eagle” sadly became an early supporter of the Hitler Nazi Regime. But that’s another story. http://history.sandiego.edu/cdr2/WW2Pics/12244.jpg

After the Lindbergh kidnapping “baby” monitors became extremely popular for apprehensive parents. http://www.flickr.com/photos/raimist/317515181/