Homicide in Chicago :: INTERACTIVE DATABASE

Case Description

Anderson, Madelyn - Age 24- Died at the Washington Park Hospital from a criminal abortion. On 5/7/24 the Coroner recommended the arrest of a female Dr. Ogdenberg. 5 Dist. Dr. Louise Achtenberg arrested 5/13/24 and turned over to the Sheriff. May 1924 - No bill.

Case Number

5662

Circumstances

Date of offense	May 6, 1921
Date of death	May 6, 1924
Type of location	Medical facility (Hospital, doctor's office, clinic) Midwife, Abortion place
Type of medical facility	Hospital
Location description	died At Washington Park Hospital
Type of death	Accident
Type of accident	Death from abortion
Murder/suicide?	Yes
Circumstances description	Illegal abortion
Total number of victims	1
Total number of defendants	1
Related to Prohibition?	Yes

Victim

Name	Anderson, Madelyn
Age	24 years
Gender	Female
Race	White
Ethnicity	English-Anglo
Name of hospital where victim was taken	Washington Park Hosp
Victim/defendant relationship	Not related by family
Prior non-family relationship	Other business or monetary relationship

Defendant

Name	Achtenberg, Louise
Gender	Female
Race	White
Ethnicity	Jewish
Employed	Yes
Employment Type	Employed, professional (incl. police and military)
Occupational skill	Doctor
Killing while providing medical services as a	Doctor
Defendant/victim relationship	Known (recognized person)
Prior non-family relationship	Other business or monetary relationship

Police

Precinct	5
Date defendant arrested	May 13, 1924
Total number of defendants arrested	1
Time between crime and arrest	Weeks
Allegations of police corruption	No

Legal

Date of coroner's decision	May 7, 1924
Outcome of coroner's judgement	Recommended investigation/arrest
Type of legal decision recorded	Grand jury only
Date of Grand Jury decision	May 15, 1924
Outcome of Grand Jury decision	Indictment for felony murder
Allegations of police corruption	No

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