Bio

Louis Kenneth Neu was born in 1910. As a young man, Neu seemed to have big dreams of becoming a performer. He wanted to be a singer and dancer, much like the stars of Broadway. Despite his ambitions, he faced many challenges. He often found work in small clubs and bars, but these gigs did not pay well, and he struggled to make enough money to support himself.

By the age of 25, Neu was living in New York City. He was a drifter, moving from place to place in search of opportunities. He sometimes resorted to panhandling to get by. He looked for jobs but found them hard to come by. Neu's life began to take a turn that he would later be known for.

In September 1933, he met a man named Lawrence Shead in Times Square. Shead was a theater manager and seemed sympathetic to Neu's aspirations. However, Neu's situation was about to change drastically. In the days before his crime spree, Neu was low on money and desperate for a way out of his struggles.

Neu's early life was marked by his desires for fame and attention. He was handsome and had a pleasant voice but faced numerous obstacles that kept him from achieving his dreams. He had also been mentioned as having a history of mental illness, having spent some time in a mental health facility.

Murder Story

On September 2, 1933, Louis Kenneth Neu met Lawrence Shead in Times Square. Shead was a theater manager, and after some conversation, he followed Neu to his hotel room. Once inside, Neu beat Shead to death with an electric iron, took his money, and wore his suit. He then left New York City and traveled to New Orleans.

In New Orleans, Neu encountered Sheffield Clark Sr., a hardware store owner. Neu attempted to blackmail Clark by threatening to expose his homosexuality. When Clark reached for a phone to call for help, Neu strangled him and stole his cash and car. Neu was later caught in New Jersey while changing the license plates on Clark’s car. At the time of his arrest, he was still wearing Lawrence Shead’s suit.

Neu confessed to both murders during police questioning. He was extradited to Louisiana, where he was tried and convicted of first-degree murder in December 1933. He was sentenced to death. Neu's execution was scheduled for February 1, 1935. On that day, he performed a song he had composed about his situation before he was hanged.