Out of Focus PT 2
Buried Bones - a historical true crime podcast with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes
Deep Dive
Why did Harvey Glattman confess to the murders of Judy, Shirley, and Ruth?
Glattman confessed because he was caught red-handed with Lorraine, who survived his attack. He likely knew the gig was up and may have sought the notoriety of being a serial killer, similar to Dennis Rader (BTK).
How did Lorraine Vigil manage to escape from Harvey Glattman?
Lorraine fought back when Glattman tried to tie her hands with rope. She grabbed the gun during their struggle, bit his hand, and held him at gunpoint until the highway patrol arrived. Her quick thinking and physical resistance saved her life.
What was Harvey Glattman's profession and how did he lure his victims?
Glattman was a television repairman who posed as a photographer to lure his victims. He contacted modeling agencies or used the Lonely Hearts Club to arrange meetings with women, claiming he needed models for photo shoots.
Why did the police and media lose interest in Ruth Mercado's case?
The police and media lost interest in Ruth's case after finding nude photos of her, suggesting she was involved in burlesque-type work. This led them to classify her as a lower-risk victim, diverting resources away from her investigation.
What was the significance of the rope Harvey Glattman used in his murders?
Glattman used the same length of rope in all three murders, manually strangling his victims. He kept the rope as a souvenir, indicating it was significant to his fantasy and part of his ritualistic behavior.
How did Harvey Glattman's early behavior foreshadow his later crimes?
From a young age, Glattman exhibited abnormal behavior, such as tying ropes around his neck in the bathtub and fantasizing about strangulation. As a teenager, he broke into women's homes to tie them up and grope them, escalating to sexual assault and murder.
What role did the True Detective magazines play in Harvey Glattman's crimes?
Glattman's murder scenes and methods, such as binding and photographing his victims, mirrored the imagery found in True Detective magazines. These magazines likely fueled his fantasies and provided him with ideas for his crimes.
How did the identification of Dorothy Gay Howard potentially connect her to Harvey Glattman?
Dorothy Gay Howard's body was found in Boulder Canyon in 1954, and Glattman was in Denver at the time. Investigators compared her injuries to the dimensions of Glattman's car, suggesting she may have been a victim of his, though no definitive connection was made.
What was the significance of Lorraine Vigil's survival in the case?
Lorraine's survival not only saved her own life but also led to Glattman's arrest and confession, providing closure for the families of Judy, Shirley, and Ruth. Her courage and quick actions likely prevented further victims.
Why did Harvey Glattman drive his victims to the desert for disposal?
Glattman chose the desert because it was a remote location where bodies would decompose quickly due to animal activity and harsh environmental conditions, making them harder to find and identify.
Shownotes Transcript