A Dramatic Arrest
George Hassell stabbed himself three times in the chest while being questioned by the sheriff about his missing family.
19true crime
The Confessions of George Hassell
After stabbing himself in front of the sheriff, George Hassell survived and confessed to murders that extended far beyond his Texas farm.
Listen to the source episode
George Hassell: The Family Axeman
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Background reading
The context behind the episode.
The Report
Strange Behavior Reported
A farmer reported that George Hassell had been acting strangely and telling conflicting stories about his missing family.
1The Confrontation
Self-Inflicted Stab Wounds
During questioning by the sheriff, Hassell removed a pocket knife and stabbed himself three times in the chest.
1The Confession
Murders Beyond the Farm
Hassell confessed to multiple murders, revealing that his violent behavior extended beyond his home in Farwell.
2Questions
Questions to carry into the episode.
Sources and disclosure
Where this guide comes from.
This listening guide was generated from publisher-provided show notes and linked evidence, with AI assistance for structure and clarity.
- Publisher show notes
On the evening of December 24, 1926, a farmer in Farwell, Texas, called the sheriff to report that his neighbor, George Hassell, had been acting very strangely in recent days and he had been telling conflicting stories about the whereabouts of his family, who had been missing for several days. When the sheriff arrived at the Hassell farm, he began questioning George about where his family had gone, but mid conversation, Hassell removed a pocket knife from his pocket and stabbed himself three times in the chest.
Open source ↗ - Publisher show notes
Hassell was taken to the hospital, where he was not expected to survive, but against the odds, George pulled through. With no option for escape and having given law enforcement good reason to suspect him in the disappearance of his family, George began confessing to multiple murders. At first, it was assumed he had flown into a rage and murdered his family a week earlier, but the more Hassell talked, the clearer it became that George Hassell violent and murderous behavior went well beyond the walls of his home in Farwell.
Open source ↗ - Publisher show notes
References
Open source ↗ - Publisher show notes
Associated Press. 1927. "Hassell death edict to stand." Fort Worth Record-Telegram, February 15: 1.
Open source ↗ - Publisher show notes
—. 1928. "Hassell is fifth white man to chair." Fort Worth Record-Telegram, February 10: 1.
Open source ↗ - Publisher show notes
—. 1926. "Sheriff expects full statement from Hassell." San Antonio Express-News, December 26: 1.
Open source ↗ - Publisher show notes
—. 1928. "Slayer of 13 thanks judge for sentence." San Antonio Express-News, January 11: 1.
Open source ↗ - Publisher show notes
Church, Marlowe. 2019. "Hassell offered detailed confession." Eastern New Mexico News, September 3.
Open source ↗ - Publisher show notes
Morning Press . 1927. "Texas killer's name heard in Whittier case." Morning Press (Santa Barbara, CA), January 1: 1.
Open source ↗ - Publisher show notes
Roth, Michael. 2022. Man with the Killer Smile: The Life and Crimes of a Serial Mass Murderer. Denton, TX: University of North Texas Press.
Open source ↗ - Publisher show notes
San Antonio Express-News. 1927. "Hassell's California victims identified." San Antonio Express-News, February 12: 5.
Open source ↗ - Publisher show notes
Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)
Open source ↗ - Publisher show notes
Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)
Open source ↗ - Publisher show notes
Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley
Open source ↗ - Publisher show notes
Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally
Open source ↗ - Publisher show notes
Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)
Open source ↗ - Publisher show notes
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Open source ↗ - Publisher show notes
On the evening of December 24, 1926, a farmer in Farwell, Texas, called the sheriff to report that his neighbor, George Hassell, had been acting very strangely in recent days and he had been telling conflicting stories about the whereabouts of his family, who had been missing for several days.
Open source ↗ - Publisher show notes
When the sheriff arrived at the Hassell farm, he began questioning George about where his family had gone, but mid conversation, Hassell removed a pocket knife from his pocket and stabbed himself three times in the chest.
Open source ↗ - Publisher show notes
Hassell was taken to the hospital, where he was not expected to survive, but against the odds, George pulled through.
Open source ↗ - Publisher show notes
With no option for escape and having given law enforcement good reason to suspect him in the disappearance of his family, George began confessing to multiple murders.
Open source ↗ - Publisher show notes
At first, it was assumed he had flown into a rage and murdered his family a week earlier, but the more Hassell talked, the clearer it became that George Hassell violent and murderous behavior went well beyond the walls of his home in Farwell.
Open source ↗
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