Albert Fish

Albert Fish was an American serial killer and child rapist executed in 1936 for the 1928 murder of Grace Budd.

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Grace Budd: Grace Budd was a child abducted and murdered by Albert Fish in 1928. Her disappearance became the central case that led authorities to Fish.
Confession letter to the Budd family: The confession letter to the Budd family was a 1934 message in which Fish described Grace Budd’s murder. Its details supplied investigators with evidence linking Fish to Grace’s disappearance.
Hamilton Howard Fish: Hamilton Howard Fish, known as Albert Fish, was an American murderer and child rapist active in the early twentieth century. This was Fish’s full name, distinct from the shortened name by which he became known.
Yellow journalism: Yellow journalism is sensationalized news reporting that prioritizes attention-grabbing presentation over restraint. Coverage of Fish often emphasized lurid details to attract public attention.
Edward Budd: Edward Budd was Grace Budd’s older brother, whose newspaper advertisement Fish answered before abducting Grace. Fish gained the Budd family’s trust by presenting himself as a prospective employer for Edward.
Forensic psychiatry: Forensic psychiatry applies psychiatric knowledge to legal questions and proceedings. Fish’s mental condition became a central issue in his criminal trial.
Grace Budd’s family: The Budd family was a New York family whose daughter Grace was abducted and murdered by Albert Fish. Fish’s deception of the family created the circumstances of Grace’s abduction.
Crime media: Crime media are news and entertainment accounts centered on criminal acts, investigations, and justice. Fish became a recurring subject in sensational accounts of violent crime.
Brooklyn Eagle: The Brooklyn Eagle was a New York City daily newspaper published from 1841 to 1955. Its classified advertisement helped Fish make contact with the Budd family.
Insanity defense: The insanity defense argues that a defendant’s mental disorder negated legal responsibility for a crime. Fish’s attorneys argued that mental illness made him legally irresponsible.