The Brown-Out Strangler

In 1942, Melbourne's streets were the scene of three brutal stranglings by the elusive 'Brown-out Strangler'. In 1942 – during World War II, Melbourne was under “brown-out” where the city’s lights were dimmed to reduce visibility from the air in order to prevent enemy attack. In the shadows of Melbourne's streets, three women were brutally strangled and killed by the 'Brown-out Strangler'.

In the early hours of 3 May 1942, the body of 40-year-old Ivy McLeod was found partially naked, strangled, and badly beaten. Witnesses said they had seen her in the company of a US soldier late the previous night.

Three days later, another victim was found. The marks on her body indicated the killer had large hands and considerable strength.

Several days later, a third victim was found in a muddy trench near the US military camp near Flemington.

The previous night, Australian soldier Neil Seymour had found US serviceman Edward Leonski covered in mud, asking for directions back to the camp. Leonski was a US soldier stationed in Melbourne after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbour. He was well liked by most that knew him, although other American soldiers reported that he liked to drink heavily and that when he did, he became aggressive, particularly towards women.

The trial was convened by the US military, and Leonski was convicted and sentenced to death. It was the first time that any person has ever been tried in Australia by a military tribunal for a crime which violated civilian law.

During the trial, evidence the court heard that:

"...when Leonski gets drunk, his voice changes... [he] talks more like a girl... says stuff about poltergeists, werewolves, demons. Creepy stuff' Talks to himself a lot... other times it's like he was talking to someone else."

Leonski was convicted and sentenced to death by hanging at Pentridge Prison.