Member-only story
What Really Happened to Walter Collins?
Police returned missing Walter Collins to his mother in 1928, but she knew it wasn’t him
Walter Collins disappeared after going to a movie theater not far from his home. His panicked mother then contacted the police. The case of the boy’s disappearance immediately attracted widespread attention. In various newspapers and public places displayed his photos. Until one day the boy was found. But the mother was convinced that the child was not her son.
Walter Collins (September 23, 1918–1928) was an ordinary boy living in Lincoln Heights, Los Angeles. The 9-year-old boy lives with his mother, Christine, who works as a phone operator.
The disappearance of Walter Collins
It was March 10, 1928. The weather was amicable. Children were playing outside. Walter asks his mother for money to watch a movie. After being given a penny, Walter immediately rushed to the screening area not too far from his house.
It was getting dark, but Walter never came back. Christine was so worried that she hoped her son would appear at the end of the street with his usual smile. But late at night, Walter didn’t come back. Feelings of worry mixed with fear of approaching Christine, especially when she went to the houses of Walter’s friends one by one, but they did not know where Walter was.
The city was actually still shrouded in trauma. About three months earlier, there had been a kidnapping of a 12-year-old boy, Marion Parker. The kidnapper who initially demanded the ransom was none other than psychopath William Hickman, nicknamed “The Fox.” The victim was not only kidnapped but also killed and mutilated. Although Hickman was arrested, the trauma and fear remained with residents around the place.
Back to the case of Walter Collins’ disappearance. As soon as Walter’s mother contacted the police, they immediately paid great attention to the case. The campaign to find Walter was everywhere. The search was conducted…
