10 Things You Didn’t Know About Albert Anastasia

Albert Anastasia was one of the most feared figures in the history of the American Mafia — the founder of Murder Incorporated, the Lord High Executioner, and the man who ordered killings with a casual brutality that shocked even his contemporaries. He died in a barber’s chair in 1957 in one of the most photographed mob murders in history. But behind the headline facts are ten details that most accounts never mention.

1. He was sentenced to death at the age of 19

In 1921 Anastasia was convicted of murdering longshoreman George Turino and sentenced to death at Sing Sing Prison. He was 19 years old. He spent 18 months on death row before winning a retrial on a legal technicality — during which time four of the original prosecution witnesses mysteriously disappeared. The charges were dropped and Anastasia walked free. It was the first of many times he would escape the consequences of violence.

2. He was born in Italy and entered the US illegally

Anastasia was born Umberto Anastasio in Tropea, Calabria, in 1902. He emigrated to New York in 1917 as a merchant seaman and jumped ship to remain in the country illegally. He changed the spelling of his surname to distance himself from his brother Salvatore, who was a legitimate member of the New York City police department.

3. He had a police officer for a brother

While Albert was building his career as a hitman and mob enforcer, his brother Salvatore Anastasio was serving as a New York City police officer. The brothers maintained separate lives and Salvatore’s career was never formally compromised by his brother’s activities, though the association was obviously noted by law enforcement.

4. He founded Murder Incorporated with Lepke Buchalter

Anastasia was one of the founding architects of Murder Incorporated — the enforcement arm of the American Mafia that carried out between 400 and 1,000 contract killings between 1929 and 1941. He directed the Italian faction of the organisation while Louis Lepke Buchalter ran the Jewish side. His nickname Lord High Executioner came directly from this role.

5. He ordered the murder of a complete stranger for appearing on television

In 1952 Anastasia watched a television broadcast in which 24-year-old Arnold Schuster described how he had recognised bank robber Willie Sutton on the subway and alerted police. Anastasia, reportedly furious at what he saw as informing, ordered Schuster killed. Schuster had absolutely no connection to organised crime. His murder appalled even Anastasia’s closest allies and was later cited as evidence that Anastasia’s judgment could no longer be trusted.

6. He escaped prosecution for Murder Incorporated because of Abe Reles

Abe Reles, the Murder Incorporated killer who turned informant in 1940, was the key witness who could have convicted Anastasia for multiple murders. While Reles was being held under police guard at the Half Moon Hotel in Coney Island, he fell from a sixth-floor window and died. With Reles dead, the case against Anastasia collapsed. Whether Anastasia arranged the killing of Reles — and paid off the police guards to do it — has never been proven.

7. He became boss through a conspiracy with Vito Genovese

Anastasia became boss of what would become the Gambino family in 1951 by conspiring with Vito Genovese to remove the sitting boss Vincent Mangano, who disappeared and was never found. Mangano’s brother Philip was found murdered the same day. Anastasia presented the Commission with a fait accompli and was confirmed as boss, though several senior figures never forgave the manner of his rise.

8. His murder was planned by his own underboss

Carlo Gambino, Anastasia’s underboss, was one of the primary architects of his murder. Working with Vito Genovese, Gambino arranged for the hit on October 25, 1957. Gambino took control of the family immediately and went on to become the most powerful boss in American Mafia history — building his empire on the foundations of the organisation Anastasia had created.

9. He was reading the racing pages when he was shot

On the morning of October 25, 1957, Anastasia arrived at the barbershop at the Park Sheraton Hotel for his regular appointment. He settled into chair number four and was reading the racing pages of the New York Daily News when the barber draped a hot towel over his face. Two gunmen entered moments later. He never saw them coming.

10. No one was ever charged with his murder

Despite the shooting occurring in a busy Manhattan hotel barbershop with multiple witnesses present, no one was ever charged with the murder of Albert Anastasia. The suspected gunmen were never formally identified in court. Carlo Gambino, who ordered the hit, went on to become the most powerful boss in Mafia history and died peacefully in his bed in 1976.

Frequently Asked Questions — Albert Anastasia

Who was Albert Anastasia?

Albert Anastasia, known as The Lord High Executioner, was Albert Anastasia was one of the most feared figures in the history of the American Mafia — the founder of Murder Incorporated, the Lord High Executioner, and the man who ordered killings with a casual.

What was Albert Anastasia known for?

Albert Anastasia was known for he was sentenced to death at the age of 19 and he was born in italy and entered the us illegally.

How did Albert Anastasia die?

Despite the shooting occurring in a busy Manhattan hotel barbershop with multiple witnesses present, no one was ever charged with the murder of Albert Anastasia. The suspected gunmen were never formally identified in court. Carlo Gambino, who ordered the hit, went on to become the most powerful boss