Juneau, Alaska – Edward Slomke, a German immigrant, went on a killing spree in Southeast Alaska during the first two decades of the 20th Century, taking the lives, money, possessions, and sometimes the identities of at least seven men. However, these heinous acts remained largely unnoticed until he arrived in Juneau and broke his pattern, ultimately leading to his capture. This shocking true-crime story will be detailed in a presentation titled Death, With Dessert, the first in a three-part series by historic true-crime researchers and retired journalists Ed Schoenfeld and Betsy Longenbaugh.
The second and third parts of the series, referred to as Death of a Vaudevillian and The Salad Dressing Murder, will cover the disappearance of a noted entertainer and a case of infidelity and death, respectively. Each presentation will be accompanied by an original murder-themed dessert.
Slomke, who was known as Ed Krause in Alaska, joined the U.S. Army and was stationed in Southeast Alaska after serving in the Spanish-American War. He preyed on unattached, transient men with few connections to the community, eluding capture until his arrival in Juneau brought an end to his silent reign of terror.
Schoenfeld and Longenbaugh, who have been researching local true crime history for about five years, aim to provide insight into the social context of the crimes, including the early 1900s justice system’s views on race, sex, and domestic violence.
In addition to their presentations, the husband and wife duo has been leading murder tours in downtown Juneau and Douglas and has covered over a dozen cases. The aim of these programs is not only to discuss crime but also to explore a community’s response to times of crisis.
Moreover, the series is beneficial for Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, and walking tours benefit the Juneau-Douglas City Museum. Meanwhile, Longenbaugh has upcoming books on historic murder cases in Douglas and is working on a sequel to “Forgotten Murders from Alaska’s Capital” along with a second historical novel.