Alferd Packer
Alfred Griner Packer (January 21, 1842 – April 23, 1907), also known as the "Colorado Cannibal", was an American prospector and self-proclaimed wilderness guide who confessed to cannibalism during the winter of 1874. After emerging as the sole survivor of a six-man party who had attempted to travel through the San Juan Mountains of the Colorado Territory, he eventually confessed to having lived off the flesh of his companions, giving more than one version of his account as to the circumstances.
Alfred Packer | |
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Packer in 1874 | |
| Born | Alfred Griner Packer January 21, 1842 Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | April 23, 1907 (aged 65) Jefferson County, Colorado, U.S. |
| Other names | John Schwartze Colorado Cannibal |
| Known for | Cannibalism |
| Criminal status | Deceased |
| Conviction(s) | Murder (overturned) Voluntary manslaughter (5 counts) |
| Criminal penalty | Death; commuted to 40 years imprisonment |
After his story was called into question, Packer escaped jail and hid from justice for nine years. He was eventually tried, convicted of premeditated murder and sentenced to death. Packer won a retrial, and was eventually sentenced to 40 years in prison on five counts of voluntary manslaughter.
An almost completely fictitious biopic of his exploits, The Legend of Alfred Packer, was released in 1980. A more comedic and heavily fabricated take on the story, titled Cannibal! The Musical, was released in 1993.