Politicians Who Were Assassinated In Florida
It’s political season and as usual things are getting crazy. On July 13th 2024, Matthew Thomas Crooks attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump. Crooks was killed at the scene and the FBI is still investigating this bizarre incident. We’ve seen many times in American history where peoples hatred for politicians turns into them actually killing them. Did you know that there were politicians assassinated right here in the Sunshine State? One of the incidents happened near Lake City in the 1800’s. Lake City is about 3 hours form where I live in St. Petersburg.
Florida Senator Elisha G. Johnson Was Assassinated Near Lake City
Dr. Elisha G. Johnson was a civil war veteran who moved to Florida after the war was over. He was the deputy collector for the IRS before being elected into the Florida Senate. Johnson was a member of the republican party and in 1847, someone shot and killed him. Police suspect that the motive was to break the tie of the republican and democrat members in the senate. It was 12-12, but after Johnson was killed it was 12-11 with Democrats having more members. Someone was arrested and charged but the outcome of this case is still unknown. Johnson was only 36 at the time of his death.
Chicago Mayor Anton Cermak Was Assassinated In Miami
Anton Cermak was an immigrant who became the Mayor of Chicago. He was a member of the democratic party and on February 15 of 1933 he was shot while riding in President-Elect Roosevelts open touring car during a visit in Miami. The gunshot was meant for Roosevelt but hit Cermak who died three weeks later on March 6th. Giuseppe Zangara was the suspect and he was arrested and charged with death. He was executed 3 weeks later and died on March 20th.
These are the only two politicians I could find while researching this topic. If there are others, please email me [email protected]. Please remember no matter how much we may disagree with someone politically it is never ok to take their lives!
Florida National Park Named Popular Place For Murderers To Dump Bodies In The U.S.
Louisiana Swamps
The Louisiana Swamps is an area full of culture an adventure. They have exciting tours and great food. Sadly it is also home to frequent body dumps. In 1995, 24 people were killed and most of the victims were prostitutes. Reports tell us the that women had been dumped in different locations throughout the swamps. Also between 2005-2009, eight women from Louisiana were murdered. Their bodies were found in the swamps and ditches along the interstate.
Pocono Mountains
The Pocono Mountains cover 4 counties in region of Northeastern Pennsylvania. The area is full of tourist activity. Sadly it is also a popular place to dump bodies. In 2008, 8 bags filled with body parts were found along two highways in the Pocono Mountains. A year later human remains were also found on a different highway in the mountains. Reports tell us that in 2011 a motorist stopped and found a headless torso wrapped in a plastic bag.
Mojave Desert
The Mojave Desert takes up land in 4 states. Those states are California, Arizona, Utah and Nevada. The Mojave desert is believed to be a dumping ground for the Mafia. Serial killer William Richard Braford dumped a lot of his bodies in the Mojave desert. In 2013 skeletal remains were found of four more bodies in the Mojave desert.
Everglades
Everglades National Park is located in Florida and is great for tourist attraction. Sadly the isolation makes it a great place to get rid of bodies. One of the most eerie stories involves serial killers Henry Lee Lucas and Ottis Elwood Toole. Toole was sentenced to life in prison for arson and raping and eating people. Lucas was arrested and claimed to have participated in about 3k murders. The two told police they were approached by a man about joining a cult called ” The Hand Of Death.” The cult was located in a secret location in the Everglades. Police however searched and found no sign of the cult. According to Crime Reads,” Since 1965 alone, there have been 175 unsolved cases involving deaths and murders in the Everglades.”
East River
East River is located in New York City and has been a dumping ground for dead bodies. New York Magazine once reported that bodies dumped in the East River during winter resurface just in time for “April Showers.” One of the most notorious incidents happened in November 2000. A teen from Manhattan killed her parents and dumped the bodies in the East River a few days later. Serial Killer Joel David Rifkin also dumped body parts in the East River.
