Albert Fish’s documented crimes show a recurring approach: he presented himself as a harmless older man and used an invitation or other pretext to persuade a child to go with him. The Albert Fish Archive identifies three documented cases—Francis McDonnell, Billy Gaffney, and Grace Budd—but the surviving accounts do not establish one identical method in every case. The Budd case is the best documented, and a letter Fish sent to her mother in 1934 gave investigators a traceable clue that led to his arrest.
What pattern appears in the documented cases?
The Albert Fish Archive’s reconstruction describes Fish approaching children as an unthreatening older man, then using a pretext, invitation, or inducement to get them to accompany him. That is a pattern in the archive’s account, not proof of a uniform procedure independently established for each case.
The three cases the archive classifies as documented span 1924 to 1928. Their circumstances differ, and the evidence available for each is not equally detailed.
Francis McDonnell, 1924
McDonnell was eight years old and was taken from Port Richmond, Staten Island. The archive reports that his mother described seeing an “old gray man” speaking with him. This detail is part of the archive’s account of the case; it does not, by itself, establish every step of the encounter. Albert Fish Archive, “Albert Fish Crimes: Three Murders and the Suspected Cases”.
Recommended Free Tools
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Billy Gaffney, 1927
Gaffney was four and was taken from an apartment hallway in Brooklyn. The archive says Fish later confessed to Gaffney’s mother by letter and that no remains were recovered. The letter is relevant evidence of Fish’s claim, but the absence of recovered remains and the limits of the surviving record matter when assessing what can be stated with certainty. Albert Fish Archive, “Albert Fish Crimes: Three Murders and the Suspected Cases”.
Grace Budd, 1928
The Budd case provides the fullest account of Fish’s approach. After responding to an advertisement placed by Grace’s brother, Fish visited the family’s Manhattan apartment under the name “Frank Howard.” He invited the family to a birthday party and left with Grace, taking her to an abandoned house in Westchester County, according to the archive. Albert Fish Archive, “Albert Fish Crimes: Three Murders and the Suspected Cases”.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
How was Albert Fish caught?
The Budd case remained unsolved for years. In 1934, a letter sent to Grace’s mother, Delia Budd, included accurate details about the case and bore an embossed association emblem on its stationery. Investigators traced the mark through a janitor and rooming-house information, leading Detective William F. King to Fish. The archive dates Fish’s arrest to 13 December 1934. Albert Fish Archive, “Albert Fish Arrest: Manhunt & Capture, 13 Dec 1934”.
The letter was a lead, not a guarantee that every statement in it was true. The archive distinguishes the accurate details about the Budd abduction from other narrative claims it describes as inaccurate or unverifiable. An authentic historical document can preserve a useful clue while still containing unreliable assertions. Albert Fish Archive, “Albert Fish’s Letter to Grace Budd’s Mother (1934)”.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteRank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
How many victims did Albert Fish have?
The archive identifies three documented victims: Francis McDonnell, Billy Gaffney, and Grace Budd. It discusses other disappearances and broader claims separately, noting that additional cases were not formally charged and that surviving records are incomplete. Fish’s own high victim claims should not be presented as a verified total. The defensible answer from this source is three documented cases, not a settled count of every crime he may have committed. Albert Fish Archive, “Albert Fish Victims Names: McDonnell, Gaffney, Budd”.
What the evidence can—and cannot—show
- Documented cases: The archive names three cases and separates them from suspected or uncharged cases. “Documented” here describes the archive’s classification, not a complete accounting of all possible crimes.
- Different levels of detail: The Budd account is the best documented in the material reviewed; the descriptions of McDonnell and Gaffney do not establish every detail of how each child was approached or taken.
- Letters and claims: The 1934 letter contains a traceable clue and accurate details about the Budd case, but the archive cautions that some of its other claims are inaccurate or unverifiable.
- Underlying records: The archive’s bibliography describes court exhibits, investigative files, correspondence, psychiatric records, and contemporaneous reporting. The accounts here are the archive’s secondary descriptions of those materials, not an independent examination of the underlying holdings. Albert Fish Archive, “Albert Fish: Primary Sources & Research Bibliography”.
Fish was tried and convicted for Grace Budd’s murder in Westchester County in March 1935 and executed at Sing Sing on 16 January 1936, according to the archive. Those legal outcomes concern the Budd murder; they should not be mistaken for convictions covering every suspected case. Albert Fish Archive, “Albert Fish Crimes: Three Murders and the Suspected Cases”.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Further reading
For a secondary account, the archive’s bibliography lists Harold Schechter’s Deranged: The Shocking True Story of America’s Most Fiendish Killer (1990). It is a later book, not a primary record. Albert Fish Archive, “Albert Fish: Primary Sources & Research Bibliography”.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
