“A crime for the thrill of it — no motive, no mercy.”
Two Wealthy Geniuses. One Twisted Idea.
In 1924 Chicago, Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb — two young men from privileged families and brilliant academic backgrounds — set out to commit the perfect crime. Not for money. Not out of hate. Just... to see if they could.
They weren’t average teens. Leopold spoke multiple languages and was studying law at 19. Loeb was the youngest graduate ever from the University of Michigan. Both were fascinated by the concept of Nietzsche’s “Superman” — believing they were intellectually superior and untouchable by laws made for the “ordinary.”
The Murder of Bobby Franks
Their victim? 14-year-old Bobby Franks — Loeb’s own cousin.
They lured him into a car, beat him with a chisel, and suffocated him. Then, in a disturbing attempt to confuse police, they poured acid on the body and dumped it near railroad tracks.
A ransom note was sent to the Franks family — part of their “flawless” plan.
But it wasn’t flawless.
What Gave Them Away?
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Leopold’s custom-made glasses were found near the body — a rare pair only three people in Chicago owned.
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Their alibis collapsed under pressure.
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When caught, each tried to blame the other.
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Eventually, they confessed.
The Trial of the Century
Their families hired famed attorney Clarence Darrow, who shocked the world by having them plead guilty — not for innocence, but to avoid the death penalty. His 12-hour speech against capital punishment worked.
They were sentenced to life + 99 years.
Aftermath
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Loeb was murdered in prison in 1936.
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Leopold was paroled in 1958 and lived quietly in Puerto Rico as a medical technician.
Why Did They Do It?
No financial hardship. No revenge. No emotional trigger.
Just arrogance. Curiosity. And a horrifying belief that life — especially someone else’s — was a toy to be played with.
What drives someone to kill purely for the thrill of it?
Would you have sentenced them to death? Or do you believe rehabilitation was possible?
Let’s talk below.
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