Edward Leonski

 Edward Leonski murdered three women in Melbourne, Australia, in 1942. He was born in New Jersey on 12 December 1917. 

His parents were Russian immigrants. It’s said that both parents abused alcohol. It’s said his mother was overprotective and controlling. Edward was called a ‘mummy’s boy’, and later it was suggested that he killed women because he hated his mother. He was really killing her.

Leonski was conscripted into the army in February 1941. In February 1942, he was sent to Australia. At that time, there was a ‘brownout’ of reduced lighting, which made it easier for Leonski to kill people. 

He prepared breakfast on a military base, but after he finished, he was free to wander the streets of Melbourne. 

The first victim was Ivy McLeod. She was found dead in a shop doorway in Melbourne on 3 May 1942. She had been strangled, and the killer had removed some of her clothes. He left the body in a degrading position. Two more victims followed; Pauline Thompson was strangled outside a boarding house on 9 May, and Gladys Hosking was strangled on 18 May. 

This time, when he returned to his military base, Leonski was challenged by a sentry because he was dishevelled and had mud on him. 

When news of the murder of Gladys Hosking broke, the sentry informed the police. He identified Leonski at a line-up. Several witnesses who had seen Leonski also identified him. 

Leonski confessed to the murders. When he was asked why he killed women, he replied, ‘it was to get their voices’. (It has been suggested that their voices reminded Leonski of his mother). Leonski also drank heavily, and that may have lowered his inhibitions.

Although the murders happened in Australia, Leonski was tried under American military law. He pleaded not guilty because of insanity. However, his plea was rejected. On 17 July 1942, he was found guilty of murder. 

Edward Leonski was hanged on 9 November 1942. He was buried in a military cemetery in Hawaii.