The Stamford Bra Murders

During the late 1960s and early 1970s, Stamford, Connecticut  was terrorized by a killer who was strangling women and leaving their bodies by the side of the parkway. After four years and five confirmed victims, police arrested a local self-proclaimed preacher named Benjamin Miller, bringing the murders to an end and closing the case on what the press had dubbed the Bra Murders—or so they thought.

From the moment Miller was arrested, there were some in the community who questioned whether the police had arrested the right man or if they’d simply chosen Miller as a scapegoat. Among other things, Miller had a long history of mental illness and, although he had initially confessed to the murders, he eventually recanted his confession and claimed that detectives had manipulated him into confessing. 

To this day, many Connecticut residents still wonder whether Benjamin Miller was really responsible for the Bra Murders, or if the real killer was allowed to walk free.

References

Arnold, Martin. 1972. "A 'minister' is seized in 5 Connecticut stranglings." New York Times, March 18: 64.

Associated Press. 1973. "Miller ordered to mental institution." Stamford Advocate, March 31: 3.

—. 1972. "Black citizens prodded investigation." The Journal (Meriden, CT), March 18: 5.

Buffa, Denise. 1989. "Ex-postal worker freed in 'Bra Murders'." Stamford Advocate, May 9: 1.

—. 1989. "Maintaining his innocence." Stamford Advocate, May 21: 1.

—. 1989. "State may not try suspect in '73 deaths." Stamford Advocate, April 4: 1.

Connecticut Post. 1972. "Mental patient accused of slaying five women." Connecticut Post, March 17: 1.

—. 1971. "Stamford eyes slaying's link to 'Bra Murders'." Connecticut Post, July 13: 2.

—. 1971. "Strangler's 5th victim found in parkway woods." Connecticut Post, August 23: 1.

—. 1969. "Troopers set skull identity." Connecticut Post, April 11: 1.

—. 1969. "Woman's skeleton found in 3rd parkway mystery." Connecticut Post, April 5: 1.

Gold, Julie Anne. 1982. "Figure in murders seeking his release." Stamford Advocate, December 17: 1.

Gombossy, George. 1989. "Doubt clouds 'solved'Stamford slayings." Hartfort Courant, May 28: 333.

Greenhouse, Linda. 1971. "Police seek clue to Stamford murders." New York Times, August 29: 38.

Neenan, Julia McNamee. 1983. "Defense: 'parkway bra murders' case to be appealed." Stamfor Advocate, November 5: 7.

—. 1983. "New trial denied in parkway slayings." Stamford Advocate, October 20: 1.

Peterson, Lisa Marie. 1988. "Ex-postal clerk may go free in 'Bra Murders' case." Stamford Advocate, May 25: 1.

Ressler, Marcy, and Frank Fedeli. 1981. "Police say body found near Merritt Parkway may be missing woman." Stamford Advocate, August 21: 1.

Ross, Don. 1973. "Bra killer insane, sent to instiution." Stamford Advocate, January 31: 1.

Seminoff, Nick. 1972. "Norwalk man charged on 5 counts in Merritt Parkway 'Bra' Murders." Stamford Advocate, March 17: 1.

Stamford Advocate. 1972. "Attempted murder charge follows parkway assault." Stamford Advocate, July 29: 1.

—. 1972. "Bra suspect is competent." Stamford Advocate, May 12: 1.

—. 1971. "'Concerned Black Citizens' urge intense murder probe." Stamford Advocate, August 27: 1.

—. 1971. "Mayor says police push murder probe." Stamford Advocate, August 30: 1.

—. 1972. "Murder suspect back in hospital." Stamford Advocate, March 20: 12.

—. 1971. "'Parkway Bra Murders' probe continues." Stamford Advocate, December 29: 17.

—. 1968. "Slaying victim was scheduled in court today." Stamford Advocate, May 6: 1.

—. 1971. "Stamford woman strangled." Stamford Advocate, August 23: 1.

Thompson, M. Cordell. 1972. "Police arrest white preacher in bizarre Conn. murder cases." Jet, April 6: 52.

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)

Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)

Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley

Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally

Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.