Crib of Charles A. Lindbergh's baby, 1935, Library of Congress
Click on button to jump to section on page
 Anne Morrow Lindbergh with Charles A. Lindbergh, Jr. at Next Day Hill, NJ, 1930, Yale University
|
On the evening of March 1st, 1932, the Lindbergh's 20-month-old son was tragically kidnapped from his nursery on the second floor of their Hopewell home.
Charles Jr. was believed to be targeted because of his family's celebrity status and extreme wealth. 
"March 1932, scene of the Lindbergh kidnapping: A. Window where baby was taken, B. Where the ladder was found C. Where footprints were found" Hoover Heads.
|
In Anne Lindbergh's own words
Report
Report from 1st officer on scene, Trooper DeGaetano, March 9th
Click to enlarge
|
|
From the New Jersey Police Archives. Courtesy of Mark Falzini
Media Frenzy
March 2, 1932. The New York Times
Poster Asking for Information on the baby. FBI
March 4, 1932. The New York Times
|
Newsreel announcing the kidnapping of Charles Lindbergh Jr. CNN, YouTube
March 6, 1932. The New York Times
March 3, 1932, The New York Times
"several hundred newspaper reporters arrived at the Lindbergh residence during the night"
-Colonel H. Norman Schwarzkopf, Director of Investigation, March 1, 1932
|
Appeal of the Family
Appeal of Colonel and Mrs. Lindbergh regarding the return of their child. March 4, 1932. The New York Times
|
Anne Morrow Lindbergh to her mother-in-law, 1932
Press outside of the Lindbergh's home. March 2, 1932. Hour of Gold, Hour of Lead
|
Ransom Note
First Ransom Note. FBI.gov
Click on the ransom note to see the transcripts of the first and second ransom notes
Law enforcement allowed Lindbergh to involve himself in every aspect of the investigation.
Anne Lindbergh to her mother-in-law
Offers of help
The whole country leapt into action searching for the "most famous baby in the world".
March 3, 1932. The New York Times
"Unless the Lindbergh baby is recovered and kidnappers apprehended and punished no baby will be safe. Let everybody enlist in the search."
-Major Lynn G. Adams, Head of State Police Force
Condon's letter, Bronx Home News, 1932. Courtesy of Mark Falzini
"It's the most outrageous thing I ever heard of. I know how Mrs. Capone and I would feel if our son were kidnapped and I sympathize with the Lindberghs."
-Al Capone, 1932
|
"Thousands of letters were sent to the police and FBI offering options and suggestions on how to best solve the crime. Often, they offered to provide the solution to the case once the police of Governor paid them $1,000 or more. Some of those who were interested in the Lindbergh Case became obsessed. They suffered from what one State Trooper in the 1930s called Lindberghitis."
-Mark Falzini, New Jersey Police Archivist
Capone, with his son, talking to Cubs catcher Gabby Hartnett, 1931. Chicago Tribune
|
Their efforts were in vain.
