New Release
More Forgotten Murders from Alaska
In this sequel to Forgotten Murders from Alaska’s Capital, researcher and author Betsy Longenbaugh gives us ten more historic murders from five communities in Southeast Alaska. They include the murder of the Juneau man who enlisted, at age 15, to serve on the front lines of World War I, the brutal killing of a mother and child in the fishing town of Petersburg, and the dismemberment of her husband by a desperate woman in Sitka in the 1950s.
Relying on source documents that included contemporary newspaper accounts, court records and other historic archives, Longenbaugh brings to life the communities and events that led to these crimes. Explore a 1906 town whose main attraction is a natural hot spring, the immigrant communities that worked in Alaska’s first salmon canneries, and the growth of crime when prohibition came to the Last Frontier.
Death in the Underworld
Federal Marshal Frank Leishke is called to the scene of the vicious murder of a prostitute in Douglas, Alaska, in 1916. The site of the largest gold mine in the world, Douglas was also home to numerous bars, brothels and itinerant workers. Leishke is aided in his work by friends of the murdered woman, including a housemaid who becomes more to him than he expects. The three work together against a lawless town, an international sex trafficking ring, and the machinations of an adroit killer.
Forgotten Murders from Alaska's Capital
Former Alaska newspaper reporter Betsy Longenbaugh brings to life 10 stories of murder that occurred between 1902 and statehood in 1959. Learn about Alaska’s first serial killer, a powerful mine superintendent who thought he could get away with anything, and a World War I vet whose greed led to a double homicide.
Events
Presentations and Walking Tours in Juneau, Alaska
Two tours, Capital Killers and Death in Douglas, cover cases in historic downtown Juneau and the old townsite of Douglas, on a nearby island.
What Fans Are Saying
Reviews of the book, walking tours and the research Betsy is bringing to life about the forgotten murders of Juneau and Southeast Alaska.
“It’s well-researched and contains the details of famous murders which took place in Southeast Alaska’s past. It is also a fascinating book of cultural history, for in it you find an Alaska you might not have expected. It doesn’t paint a necessarily pretty picture of the last frontier, but I’m afraid it is all too accurate.”
John Straley
Alaska mystery author
“Forgotten Murders from Alaska’s Capital” not only presents what can be known about the murders themselves but uncovers a great deal of Alaska’s social history at the time. That history, seldom pretty, becomes the real story of this fascinating book. …
Alaska’s history is packed with intriguing, if often disturbing, stories. One way to learn about our past is through the lives of little-known and infamous individuals and their unfortunate circumstances. “Forgotten Murders,” with its accompanying black-and-white photographs, can be a good place to begin — especially if we keep in mind that
murders end innocent lives and affect families forever.”
Nancy Lord
Homer-based writer and former Alaska writer laureate. Her books include "Fishcamp," "Beluga Days," and "Early Warming." Her latest book is "pH: A Novel."
“Death in the Underworld by Betsy Longenbaugh sweeps readers off their feet and into a different time and place. From the first page, I found myself completely transported, feeling as though I had stepped into another era with vivid descriptions and intricate storytelling. Longenbaugh’s ability to weave such rich, immersive narratives is truly remarkable; the world she creates is so detailed and captivating that you forget you’re reading a book – it feels more like you’re living within its pages. The plot is deeply engaging, filled with twists and turns that keep you guessing, yet it never loses its emotional depth. The characters are brilliantly written, each with their own complexities, which makes them feel incredibly real. The themes explored in this book – the underworld, mystery, and transformation – are thought-provoking and skillfully interwoven, making Death of the Underworld not just a great read, but an experience in Juneau and Douglas history.”
Amazon reviewer
“What a vivid look into the wild beginnings of Juneau’s early history! The murder stories moved chronologically to span the first half of the last century, and through the transition from a mining to a fishing and government based economy. I found it fascinating to note the changes in culture, women’s rights, and the growth in media coverage, police investigations, and legal proceedings over time.
Beyond the author’s thorough research into the gritty details, I so appreciated her delving into following up on what happened to the murderer, as well as to some of the families of the victims. Reading this book made me think about motives for the killers – mostly greed and anger, and for some, their confidence they would not be caught. Or if caught, would not be convicted, due to targeting a victim of lower status. I also appreciated the research into the impact of the early lives of some of the murderers, such as growing up in London’s poorhouse, severe lead poisoning, and serving on the front lines of wars.
On so many levels, I highly recommend reading this book!”
Joy
Amazon reviewer
My Story
I grew up in the Southeast Alaska town of Sitka, and began working at the daily newspaper in high school, then returned after earning my bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oregon.
After moving to the newspaper in Juneau, I met another reporter at a city council meeting, Ed Schoenfeld, and married him about two years later. After we had two daughters, I began working part time as a technical writer and editor.
I began a new career in later life, earning a master’s degree in social work and becoming a civilian employee of the U.S. Coast Guard.
After retirement, my lifelong love of murder mysteries, interest in historical newspaper coverage, and the ability to operate a microfilm reader evolved into the ultimate retirement project: writing books. My husband and I have spent countless hours poring over old newspapers, decades-old court documents and other records to develop an understanding of historic murder in our hometown of Juneau, Alaska, and nearby communities.
In addition to research and writing, we spend our time hiking with our dog, visiting grandchildren and volunteering for different organizations, including the Juneau-Douglas City Museum, which sponsors our historic walking tours.
I am currently working on a second novel that is a sequel to Death in the Underworld.
More Forgotten Murders from Alaska (2026) is my latest book. In gathering the 10 stories for this book, I branched out into other communities in Southeast Alaska. These include Petersburg, Tenakee Springs, Sitka and Ketchikan. The stories continue on the theme of discussing murders occurring between 1900 and statehood in 1959.
Death in the Underworld: An Alaska Murder Mystery, which was released in 2025, is my first novel and is based on one of our most interesting cases. Beginning with one murder, it turns into a race against a determined killer in a town isolated by geography and weather.
Forgotten Murders from Alaska’s Capital (2022) was my first book. It’s a non-fiction collection of ten historic murders in Juneau and Douglas. Three chapters began as live presentations that Ed and I developed as very popular fundraisers for the Juneau-Douglas City Museum. I examine these stories through the lens of contemporary news coverage, census data, and local memories. The collection includes the trial of Alaska’s first known serial killer, the death of a vaudevillian aboard his boat, and an examination of an abused wife who kills her husband as he attacks her.
The books are published by Epicenter Press.