⚠️ TRIGGER WARNING This episode discusses murder, sexual assault, attempted sexual assault, strangulation, physical assault, home invasion, violence against elderly women, gun violence, attempted abduction, and descriptions of crime scenes. Listener discretion is advised. SOURCES — THE BOUNCING BALL KILLER • California Supreme Court — People v. Henry Adolph Busch, 56 Cal.2d 868 (1961) • California Supreme Court — In re Busch, 57 Cal.2d 536 (1962) • Los Angeles Times — “Police Seek Clues to Strangler of 7 Women,” June 29, 1960 • Los Angeles Times — “Police Arrest Ball Bouncing Killer Suspect,” July 3, 1960 • Los Angeles Times — “Multiple-Slaying Suspect Released,” July 4, 1960 • Los Angeles Evening Citizen News — “Sex Maniac Sought for Three Killings,” June 27, 1960 • Los Angeles Mirror — “Woman, 57, Succumbs in Beating,” May 30, 1959 • Los Angeles Mirror / Mirror News — “‘Rubber Ball Strangler’ — His Urge to Kill May Be Irresistible,” June 29, 1960 • Mirror News — “‘Rubber Ball’ Killer Tips Are Checked,” June 30, 1960 • News-Pilot — “Woman Dies After Attack,” May 30, 1959 • Reno Gazette-Journal — “Strangler Preys on Older Women,” June 29, 1960 • California Eagle — “7 Deaths Laid to Killer,” June 30, 1960 • California Eagle — “Bouncing Ball Suspect Freed — No Evidence,” July 28, 1960 • Sacramento Bee — “LA Strangler of Women Strikes Again, Leaves No. 6,” June 28, 1960 • Evening Vanguard — “Police Search for Depraved Strangler,” June 28, 1960 • Independent — “Slayer of Elderly Women Described,” June 29, 1960 • The Montgomery Advertiser — “Negro Bible Salesman Held in Coed Slaying,” July 13, 1960 • The Shreveport Journal — “Lie Detector Test Set for Negro Slayer,” July 13, 1960 • Oxygen / Serial Killer Capital: Los Angeles — “Who Is Los Angeles’ Bouncing Ball Killer?” • Fruitloops: Serial Killers of Color — Episode 159, “The Bouncing Ball Killer” (includes an extensive bibliography of contemporary newspaper coverage) Note: Contemporary reports differ on some dates and on which crimes should be attributed to the unidentified offender. Elmyra Miller’s murder was initially associated with the series but was later established to have been committed by Henry Adolph Busch. The identity of the man known as the Bouncing Ball Killer was never established. 🎙️ Subscribe to SoCal Slaughters for new episodes covering Southern California’s most infamous crimes, mysteries, and killers. New episodes every Sunday.
