Episode Summary
When a couple of young Indianapolis businessmen fail to show up for work in December of 1971, their secretary grows concerned as the day goes on, and a friend volunteers to swing by their house to check up on them. He never could have expected the carnage he would find inside, or how it would set off one of the strangest investigations in Indiana history. Was the perp the jealous partner of one of the men’s many romantic conquests? A businessman with a grudge? A contract killer hired by the Mob to send a message? Or even by the White House itself?
Listen Now
For our friends in the Deaf and Signing community, you can view an ASL version of this episode HERE.
Episode Info
Bob Gierse (left), James Barker (middle), and Bob Hinson (right).
Robert L. Snow, who served for the Indianapolis Police Department for over 30 years, wrote a book on the LaSalle Street murders, published in 2012.
27-year-old James “Jim” Barker.
34-year-old Robert “Bob” Gierse.
27-year-old Robert “Bob” Hinson.
The IMPD Homicide Unit, which pictures Lt. Joe McAtee (18/far right) and Sgt. James Strode (3). Sgt. Michael Popcheff is not pictured.
The house where men were discovered.
Episode Source Material
- Slaughter on North LaSalle (print) by Robert L. Snow.
- The Indianapolis Star (Indianapolis, IN): Slaughter on North LaSalle Street, by William E. Anderson and Richard E. Cady via Newspapers.com. (1)
- The Indianapolis Star (Indianapolis, IN): Slaughter on North LaSalle Street, by William E. Anderson and Richard E. Cady via Newspapers.com. (2)
- The Indianapolis Star (Indianapolis, IN): 3 Men Slain In Eastside Home by William E. Anderson via Newspapers.com. (1)
- The Indianapolis Star (Indianapolis, IN): 3 Men Slain In Eastside Home by William E. Anderson via Newspapers.com. (2)
- The Indianapolis Star (Indianapolis, IN): Was killer hiding in home awaiting trio? by William E. Anderson via Newspapers.com. (1)
- The Indianapolis Star (Indianapolis, IN): Was killer hiding in home awaiting trio? by William E. Anderson via Newspapers.com. (2)
- The Indianapolis Star (Indianapolis, IN): Trio Bludgeoned Before Slaying by William E. Anderson via Newspapers.com. (1)
- The Indianapolis Star (Indianapolis, IN): Trio Bludgeoned Before Slaying by William E. Anderson via Newspapers.com. (2)
- The Indianapolis News (Indianapolis, IN): Triple slaying probed for loan shark tie-ins, by Paul Bird via Newspapers.com. (1)
- The Indianapolis News (Indianapolis, IN): Triple slaying probed for loan shark tie-ins, by Paul Bird via Newspapers.com. (2)
- The Indianapolis Star (Indianapolis, IN): Triple murder still unsolved, by Thomas R. Keating via newspapers.com.
- Indianapolis Monthly: Murder, She Wrote: The LaSalle Street Murders, by Brian D. Smith and Betty Cadou.
- The Indianapolis Star (Indianapolis, IN): Trio’s amorous ‘contest’ told, by Paul M. Doherty via Newspapers.com.
- The Noblesville Ledger (Noblesville, IN): Inmate’s wild tale of 25-year-old killings leads to lawsuit by Associated Press via Newspapers.com.
- The Wall Street Journal: Police, Reporter Crack Slayings Then Case Fell Apart Completely, by Jeff Bailey.
- The Indianapolis News (Indianapolis, IN): Triple Slaying Possibly Result Of Firm’s Foes via Newspapers.com. (1)
- The Indianapolis News (Indianapolis, IN): Triple Slaying Possibly Result Of Firm’s Foes via Newspapers.com. (2)
- The Indianapolis Star (Indianapolis, IN): Hint Slayings Gangland Warning by William E. Anderson via Newspapers.com. (1)
- The Indianapolis Star (Indianapolis, IN): Hint Slayings Gangland Warning by William E. Anderson via Newspapers.com. (2)
- The Indianapolis Star (Indianapolis, IN): Probe triple slaying, ‘Execution’ killing link, by William E. Anderson via Newspapers.com. (1)
- The Indianapolis Star (Indianapolis, IN): Probe triple slaying, ‘Execution’ killing link, by William E. Anderson via Newspapers.com. (2)
- The Indianapolis News (Indianapolis, IN): Suspected stolen goods seized at slain men’s firm, by Paul Bird via Newspapers.com. (1)
- The Indianapolis News (Indianapolis, IN): Suspected stolen goods seized at slain men’s firm, by Paul Bird via Newspapers.com. (2)
- The Indianapolis Star (Indianapolis, IN): Fresh detective team put on triple slaying, by William E Anderson via Newspapers.com.
- The Indianapolis News (Indianapolis, IN): Motive established in throat slashing deaths, by Paul Bird via Newspapers.com. (1)
- The Indianapolis News (Indianapolis, IN): Motive established in throat slashing deaths, by Paul Bird via Newspapers.com. (2)
- The Indianapolis Star (Indianapolis, IN): 3 found involved in stolen goods before slayings, by Richard E. Cady and Donald K. Thrasher via Newspapers.com. (1)
- The Indianapolis Star (Indianapolis, IN): 3 found involved in stolen goods before slayings, by Richard E. Cady and Donald K. Thrasher via Newspapers.com. (2)
- The Indianapolis News (Indianapolis, IN): Probe of old triple murder heats up, by Carol Schultz via Newspapers.com. (1)
- The Indianapolis News (Indianapolis, IN): Probe of old triple murder heats up, by Carol Schultz via Newspapers.com. (2)
- The Indianapolis News (Indianapolis, IN): New testimony set on LaSalle Street Killings by George McLaren via Newspapers.com.
- BMI Imaging: 7 Things You Need to Know About Microfilm.