Disappearance of Joseph Force Crater (New York)
New York State Supreme Court Justice Joseph Force Crater mysteriously vanished on August 6, 1930, after leaving a Manhattan chophouse. Despite a massive investigation, he was never found and was declared legally dead in 1939. The case, officially closed in 1979, remains one of New York City's most enduring unsolved mysteries, with theories ranging from voluntary disappearance to foul play related to political corruption or organized crime. New evidence emerged in 2005, suggesting he was murdered and buried in Coney Island, but the site had been redeveloped, making excavation impossible.
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January 2026 — 1 developments
Judge Joseph Force Crater disappeared on August 6, 1930, after stepping into a taxi on West 45th Street, and his absence went unreported for 27 days.
Judge Joseph Force Crater disappeared on August 6, 1930, after stepping into a taxi on West 45th Street, and his absence went unreported for 27 days.
September 2025 — 1 developments
Judge Joseph Force Crater disappeared after receiving a troubling phone call, and his colleagues did not immediately report his absence.
Judge Joseph Force Crater disappeared after receiving a troubling phone call, and his colleagues did not immediately report his absence.
August 2023 — 1 developments
Prior to his disappearance, Judge Joseph Force Crater withdrew $5,000 from a bank, cashed two checks for $2,600, and destroyed documents, according to investigation findings.
Prior to his disappearance, Judge Joseph Force Crater withdrew $5,000 from a bank, cashed two checks for $2,600, and destroyed documents, according to investigation findings.
May 2023 — 1 developments
The last people to claim to have seen Judge Joseph Force Crater alive were his rumored girlfriend, showgirl Sally Lou Ritz, and entertainment lawyer William Klein.
The last people to claim to have seen Judge Joseph Force Crater alive were his rumored girlfriend, showgirl Sally Lou Ritz, and entertainment lawyer William Klein.
June 2022 — 1 developments
A book by Stephen Riegel, published in 2022, indicates that the investigation into Judge Joseph Forc…
A book by Stephen Riegel, published in 2022, indicates that the investigation into Judge Joseph Force Crater's disappearance implicated high-ranking officials, including Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt and Mayor Jimmy Walker, as well as the Tammany Hall political machine.
April 2011 — 1 developments
Research for a 2010 novel reportedly uncovered previously unpublished details from three accordion f…
Research for a 2010 novel reportedly uncovered previously unpublished details from three accordion files found by the NYPD's Missing Persons Squad regarding Joseph Force Crater's disappearance.
August 2005 — 1 developments
Following the death of Stella Ferrucci Good, authorities reveal notes she wrote claiming her husband…
Following the death of Stella Ferrucci Good, authorities reveal notes she wrote claiming her husband, an NYPD detective, learned Crater was killed by an NYPD officer and his brother, and buried near West Eighth Street in Coney Island. The site, however, had been razed in the 1950s for the New York Aquarium, making excavation impossible.
January 1979 — 1 developments
The Joseph Force Crater missing person's case is officially closed by the New York City Police Department after remaining open for 50 years.
The Joseph Force Crater missing person's case is officially closed by the New York City Police Department after remaining open for 50 years.
June 1939 — 1 developments
Joseph Force Crater is declared legally dead at his wife's request.
Joseph Force Crater is declared legally dead at his wife's request.
January 1931 — 1 developments
Crater's wife discovers envelopes containing stocks, bonds, and a note from the justice in a dresser drawer that had previously been empty when searched by police.
Crater's wife discovers envelopes containing stocks, bonds, and a note from the justice in a dresser drawer that had previously been empty when searched by police. This new evidence ultimately leads to nothing conclusive.
October 1930 — 1 developments
A grand jury investigation is convened, involving over 95 witnesses and 975 pages of testimony, but concludes with insufficient evidence to determine if Crater was dead or alive.
A grand jury investigation is convened, involving over 95 witnesses and 975 pages of testimony, but concludes with insufficient evidence to determine if Crater was dead or alive.
September 1930 — 1 developments
News of Crater's disappearance breaks, triggering a dramatic national manhunt and investigation.
News of Crater's disappearance breaks, triggering a dramatic national manhunt and investigation.
August 1930 — 1 developments
Justice Joseph Force Crater vanishes after having dinner with a lawyer friend and a showgirl at a Manhattan chophouse.
Justice Joseph Force Crater vanishes after having dinner with a lawyer friend and a showgirl at a Manhattan chophouse. He was last seen getting into a taxi.