- Item
- 1938-07-13
Part of Richards Studio Photographs
Frank Olson, also known as Lester Mead and Charles Thorp, poses for the police photographer without his hat. He bore a startling resemblance to the kidnapper of Charles Mattson, as described by the other children present at the event. He stunned the community when he confessed to the crime. Charles Mattson was kidnapped 12/27/1936; his body was found 1/10/1937 and his murder unsolved. The Tacoma News Tribune and a Seattle morning paper released special editions proclaiming that the case had been cracked. It was later learned that the 32 year old male was an escaped mental patient from Medical Lake Asylum. He was held for a few days for questioning at the Hotel Winthrop, then returned to the Asylum. He apparently liked to pose as famous criminals. (T. Times 7/13/1938, p.1).
Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Olson, Frank; Mattson, Charles--Kidnappings;