Murder of Mathilda Russo

On June 4, 1921 7-year-old Mathilda Russo was outside of her Moorestown, New Jersey home around 7 and 8 that night. Her mother heard a scream but ignored it thinking she was just playing. It wasn't until later that night they found out that their daughter was missing. It wasn't until June 11th they knew what had happened to their daughter. Her mother didn't report the scream when they contacted the police.

A neighbor of the Russo's was that of a black family. The police did not initially suspect Louis Lively and interviewed him. He stated he had he and his wife and 5-year-old son had visited a south New Jersey town called Swanton. The family had previously lived there before they moved to their current home three months before. Police found that Louis's story was falling apart. He had a bad reputation in Swainton and had been in jail several times and he wasn't in Swainton.

This led police to search the home's cellar. She was found buried 3 feet under the dirt floor of the family's home. She was nude, had a bruised head, and her stomach and throat had been slashed. It was also found that the girl was sexually assaulted.

It turns out the Louis Lively somehow convinced the girl into his home. At the time his wife and son were out of the home. He then attacked and killed the young girl and likely died the night she disappeared. It was initially believed that his wife didn't know he killed the girl. They kept her in jail anyway.

Many of the black community in Moorestown were outraged about this crime. They had even asked if it was allowed to lynch Louis Lively. The black community wanted to do it themselves "as race itself is opposed to men like Lively".

Louis was found on October 19, 1921 and arrested in Vineyard, New Jersey. While being arrested he shot one of the police officers three times. After a long sleep in jail, Louis admitted that he did tell his wife that he murdered the girl before the body was found.

Louis went to trial and was charged with the Death Penalty. He was then executed on Jan. 17, 1922 by Electric Chair.

SOURCES:
Find A Grave
The Pioneer
The Morning Post
The Evening Times 
Daily News
The Standard Union
Ironwood Daily Globe
The Cincinnati Enquirer