Dickie Loeb Slain in Prison
Creation: 1924
Richard Loeb was killed in 1936 by his cellmate James Day at the Illinois State Penitentiary at Statesville. During his time in prison, he was under constant threat by other prisoners because of the heinous nature of his crime. Leopold (19 at the time) and Loeb (18 at the time) were considered the first “thrill killers” in America, a phrase that has become synonymous with their names. Both admitted that they were driven by the thrill of the kill, their Übermensch delusions, and their aspiration to commit a "perfect crime."
Title
Dickie Loeb Slain in Prison
Contributor
Date
Creation: 1924
Publication: 1936
Description
Richard Loeb was killed in 1936 by his cellmate James Day at the Illinois State Penitentiary at Statesville. During his time in prison, he was under constant threat by other prisoners because of the heinous nature of his crime. Leopold (19 at the time) and Loeb (18 at the time) were considered the first “thrill killers” in America, a phrase that has become synonymous with their names. Both admitted that they were driven by the thrill of the kill, their Übermensch delusions, and their aspiration to commit a "perfect crime."
Rights
Copyright; use considered fair according to the ARL Code of Best Practices in Fair Use
Format
Black-and-white photographs
Source
MSS0412, James G. Stahlman Historical Autograph Collection, Nathan Leopold
Files
Citation
“Dickie Loeb Slain in Prison,” Gallery, accessed September 15, 2026, https://gallery.library.vanderbilt.edu/items/show/753.