Summersode 5: The Boogeyman of Westfield
Image Source: Unsplash, Joshua Eckstein @dcemr_e
The List family seemed perfect from the outside: three active children in the community, a mother who stayed at home, a doting, involved professional father, and a grandmother living with the family.
But all was not as it seemed, something that became readily apparent in December 1971 when friends realized they had not seen or heard from the family for nearly a month. When the police arrived, they were horrified to discover the bodies of the entire family, save one, the father, John List (1925-2008).
Listen to our latest episode as we discuss the horrible murders carried out by John List, and then as we discuss his family tree.
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
Summersode 5: The Boogeyman of Westfield
Breeze Knoll, home to the List family and location of a horrific crime scene discovered on December 7, 1971.
Early photo of Helen, Patricia, Frederick, and John.
Source: Find a Grave
A photo likely taken a year before the murders.
Source: Find a Grave
The children of John and Helen List.
Source: The Courier News, 8 Dec 1971
Youngest son Frederick Michael List (1958-1971), named after both grandfathers, was 13 at his death.
Source: Find a Grave
Helen Morris Taylor List (1924-1971), wife of John.
Source: Find a Grave
Patricia Morris List (1955-1971) was 16 at her death.
Source: Find a Grave
John Frederick List (1956-1971) had just celebrated his 15th birthday two and a half weeks before his death.
Source: Find a Grave
Source: The Courier News, 17 August 1989
Source: The Courier News, 17 August 1989
Source: The Courier News, 17 August 1989
John List, ca 1969
Source: Find a Grave
John was quite involved in the community.
Source: The Courier News, 28 June 1967
John’s World War II Draft Registration card—something he had to fill out despite already being a veteran.
Photo from the funeral with Helen’s mother in the middle.
Source: The Courier News, 13 December 1971
Brenda was Helen’s daughter by her first marriage. John adopted Brenda soon after they married.
Source: The Courier News, 2 May 1990
Marvin Everett Taylor, Helen List’s first husband.
Source: Find a Grave
Marvin’s death left Helen a widow and single mother to daughter Brenda.
Source: Daily Press, 17 May 1951
Alma and Frederick List, parents of John. Not only were both his parents they were also his cousins since Alma and Frederick were first cousins themselves.
Source: Find a Grave
One of John’s many uncles. Emil held the career of rural mail carrier for many years before his death.
Source: The Frankenmuth News, 24 February 1954
Michael John List, Alma’s father and John’s grandfather as well as his uncle.
Source: The Frankenmuth News, 5 June 1930
Johan Frederick List, John’s father, was married once before to Anna Marie. He was in his 60s when John was born.
Source: The Courier News 13 Aug 1989
Johan Konrad Wilhelm Löhe was the key reason the List family made it’s way to Michigan from Bavaria.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
SOURCES
Frankenmuth, Michigan: From German Settlement to Tourist Attraction
Wikipedia
We use a multitude of resources when researching a family tree up to an including census records from 1800-1940, marriage records in various states, draft registration cards, newspaper articles, and more. If you would like more specific details on where information was obtained, please email us and we’ll respond in a timely manner.