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The Austin Murders: When Silence Screamed in 1885 | The Missing Archive
In this episode of The Missing Archive, host Jasmine Riley investigates the chilling case of the Servant Girl Annihilator, a serial killer who terrorized Austin, Texas, in 1884 and 1885. This true crime deep dive explores the murders of Susan Hancock and her daughter Mary Jane on Christmas Eve, which served as the catalyst for public outrage after nearly a year of silent attacks on vulnerable women, particularly Black servant girls, in their own homes. We examine the historical context of the 'Midnight Assassin' panic, the racial biases that influenced the investigation, and the systemic…
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