Stories from Mount Hope The Boston Belfry Murder

Thomas W. Piper, a carpenter from Nova Scotia, transformed from a church sexton into a notorious serial killer in Boston during the 1870s. His first murder occurred in 1873 after he consumed a mix of laudanum and whiskey, leading him to fatally assault Bridget Landregan. Piper's violent spree continued with the near-fatal attack on Mary Tyner, who was unable to identify her assailant due to her confinement in a mental asylum. The most shocking crime was the murder of 5-year-old Mabel Young in 1875, whom he lured to the church belfry with false promises.

Following his arrest, Piper confessed to the murders, describing a compulsive desire to kill that he could not control. Convicted of Mabel's murder, he was executed in 1876 and buried in an unmarked grave at Mount Hope Cemetery. This article highlights the chilling narrative of Piper's life and the impact of his actions on the Boston community. The haunting history of such crimes continues to resonate, inviting exploration into the hidden stories of Mount Hope Cemetery.