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35 Facts About Mel Ignatow

Janessa Fiedler

Written by Janessa Fiedler

Modified & Updated: 01 Oct 2024

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Source: Facts.net

Mel Ignatow's name is etched in the dark annals of American true crime history. Born on March 26, 1938, in Pennsylvania, Ignatow later moved to Louisville, Kentucky, where he appeared to be a successful businessman. However, beneath this facade lay a man capable of heinous acts. His relationship with Brenda Sue Schaefer, a doctor's assistant, turned deadly when he plotted her murder with his ex-girlfriend, Mary Ann Shore. Despite overwhelming evidence, Ignatow was acquitted of Schaefer's murder, leaving the community outraged. How did Mel Ignatow manage to escape justice for such a brutal crime? This article delves into his life, the crime, and the legal loopholes that allowed him to walk free.

Key Takeaways:

  • Mel Ignatow's dark and sinister side led to a horrific crime, but despite overwhelming evidence, he was acquitted, leaving many outraged and questioning the justice system.
  • Despite being acquitted of a heinous crime, Mel Ignatow's later years were marked by health issues and personal demons until his accidental death in 2008.
Table of Contents
01Early Life and Background
02Relationship with Brenda Sue Schaefer
03The Murder Plot
04The Murder
05Cover-Up and Evidence Tampering
06Investigation and Arrest
07Grand Jury Testimony
08Trial and Acquittal
09Judge's Reaction
10Double Jeopardy and Perjury Convictions
11Public Perception and Media Coverage
12Ignatow's Later Life and Death
13The Dark Legacy of Mel Ignatow

Early Life and Background

Melvin Henry Ignatow's life began in Pennsylvania, but his story took a dark turn in Louisville, Kentucky.

  1. Melvin Henry Ignatow was born on March 26, 1938, in Pennsylvania.
  2. He later moved to Louisville, Kentucky, where he became a successful businessman.
  3. Despite his outward success, Ignatow harbored a sinister side that would eventually lead to his downfall.

Relationship with Brenda Sue Schaefer

Ignatow's relationship with Brenda Sue Schaefer was tumultuous and ultimately fatal.

  1. In the fall of 1986, Ignatow met Brenda Sue Schaefer on a blind date arranged by her best friend, Joyce Smallwood.
  2. Despite their age difference and Ignatow's unattractive appearance, the two began dating.
  3. Schaefer confided in friends and family about Ignatow's abusive behavior.
  4. She planned to break off the relationship and return the jewelry he had given her, a fact Ignatow knew well.

The Murder Plot

Ignatow's meticulous planning with his ex-girlfriend Mary Ann Shore revealed his premeditated intentions.

  1. Ignatow and Mary Ann Shore spent several weeks planning and preparing for the murder.
  2. They "scream-tested" Shore's house to ensure it was soundproof.
  3. They dug a grave in the woods behind Shore's house.

The Murder

The events of September 23, 1988, were horrifying and meticulously executed.

  1. On September 23, 1988, Schaefer met Ignatow to return some jewelry.
  2. Instead, he took her to Shore's house, where he pulled a gun on her and locked her inside.
  3. Schaefer was blindfolded, gagged, and bound.
  4. Ignatow forced her to strip, photographed her in suggestive positions, raped, sodomized, and beat her before killing her with chloroform.
  5. Shore assisted Ignatow by taking pictures and helping to bury Schaefer's body behind her house.

Cover-Up and Evidence Tampering

Ignatow and Shore took steps to hide their crime, but their efforts would eventually unravel.

  1. They buried Schaefer's body behind Shore's house.
  2. They took her jewelry and the exposed film to eliminate evidence.

Investigation and Arrest

Detective Jim Wesley's suspicions and the subsequent investigation led to Ignatow's arrest.

  1. The investigation into Schaefer's disappearance began immediately.
  2. Her car was found abandoned less than half a mile from her home.
  3. Detective Jim Wesley suspected Ignatow from the start.
  4. Wesley noted Ignatow's overly friendly demeanor, which raised his suspicions.

Grand Jury Testimony

Ignatow's attempt to clear his name backfired, leading to more scrutiny.

  1. Ignatow voluntarily testified before a federal grand jury.
  2. He mentioned an old girlfriend named Mary Ann Shore, leading police to question her.
  3. Shore's testimony was inconsistent, and she fled the grand jury room when confronted with discrepancies.

Trial and Acquittal

Despite overwhelming evidence, Ignatow was acquitted, leaving many outraged.

  1. Ignatow was acquitted of Schaefer's murder despite the overwhelming evidence against him.
  2. Mary Ann Shore's inconsistent testimony undermined her credibility.
  3. The defense successfully portrayed Shore as a jealous and unreliable witness.
  4. The jury's acquittal left many in the community questioning the justice system.

Judge's Reaction

The judge's unusual gesture highlighted the sense of injustice felt by many.

  1. The judge wrote a letter of apology to the Schaefer family, embarrassed by the verdict.

Double Jeopardy and Perjury Convictions

Legal loopholes allowed Ignatow to avoid retrial for murder but not for perjury.

  1. Due to double jeopardy, Ignatow could not be retried for Schaefer's murder.
  2. He was later convicted of perjury related to his grand jury testimony.
  3. Ignatow served roughly 10 years in prison for these perjury convictions.

Public Perception and Media Coverage

Ignatow became a symbol of the justice system's failures, widely reviled in Louisville.

  1. Ignatow was widely reviled in Louisville, Kentucky.
  2. The case was extensively covered by various media outlets, including "American Justice" and "Evil Lives Here."

Ignatow's Later Life and Death

Ignatow's later years were marked by health issues and personal demons until his accidental death.

  1. Melvin Henry Ignatow died on September 1, 2008, from an accidental fall that caused fatal bleeding.

The Dark Legacy of Mel Ignatow

Mel Ignatow's story is a chilling reminder of how justice can sometimes slip through the cracks. His calculated murder of Brenda Sue Schaefer and subsequent acquittal shocked Louisville and the nation. Despite overwhelming evidence, legal loopholes allowed him to evade full accountability for his heinous crime. Ignatow's case highlights the importance of robust legal systems and the need for continuous improvement in handling domestic violence and evidence tampering. His life, marked by manipulation and violence, ended in a tragic accident, leaving a legacy of outrage and a call for justice reform. The community's reaction and media coverage underscore the lasting impact of his actions. Ignatow's story serves as a cautionary tale about the darker aspects of human nature and the critical need for vigilance in the pursuit of justice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was Mel Ignatow infamous?
Mel Ignatow gained notoriety for his involvement in a high-profile murder case in Louisville, Kentucky. Despite substantial evidence, he was acquitted in a criminal trial, only for later discoveries to implicate him definitively in the crime.
How did authorities finally prove Ignatow's guilt?
Years after his acquittal, photographs that graphically depicted the crime were found hidden in his former girlfriend's house. These photos served as undeniable evidence of his involvement, although he couldn't be retried for the murder due to double jeopardy laws.
What happened to Ignatow after he was found guilty in the court of public opinion?
Following the discovery of the photographs, Ignatow was tried and convicted on perjury charges, as he had lied under oath during his murder trial. His reputation was irreparably damaged, and he lived under a cloud of public condemnation until his death.
Did Ignatow face any consequences for the murder after the perjury conviction?
Legally, Ignatow couldn't be retried for the murder due to the principle of double jeopardy. However, he served a short prison sentence for perjury and was subject to widespread public scorn. His life post-trial was marked by legal and financial troubles.
Was anyone else implicated in the crime?
Yes, Ignatow's former girlfriend, who testified against him in exchange for immunity, was later found to have played a significant role in the crime. Her testimony, which initially helped Ignatow avoid murder charges, became a point of controversy after the truth emerged.
How did the community react to Ignatow's acquittal and subsequent revelations?
The community was outraged by Ignatow's acquittal and the later revelations of his guilt. Many felt that justice had not been served, leading to a significant loss of faith in the legal system. His case is often cited in discussions about the flaws and limitations of the criminal justice process.
What lessons have been learned from the Ignatow case?
Ignatow's case highlights the importance of thorough evidence collection and the potential consequences of legal technicalities like double jeopardy. It also serves as a cautionary tale about the limits of the justice system and the need for reforms to ensure that justice is served for victims and their families.

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