Wineville Chicken Murders
In February 1929, Gordon Stewart Northcott was convicted of killing three young boys at his family's chicken ranch in Wineville, California. The 22-year-old Canadian was sentenced to death by hanging for the killings, which are known in history as the Wineville Chicken Murders.1
Northcott's mother, Louisa Northcott, admitted to her role in the murder of 10-year-old Walter Collins. Collins vanished from his home on March 10, 1928. The 2008 Clint Eastwood film Changeling is loosely based on Collins' case.1
Fast Facts
- Also called Wineville Chicken Coop Murders
- Location: Wineville, California
- Wineville now known as Mira Loma; city's name changed because of publicity surrounding the case1
- Gordon Stewart Northcott hanged for murders in 19301
Changeling Movie
Director Clint Eastwood's 2008 movie Changeling is partly based on the story of the Wineville Chicken Murders. Angelina Jolie plays Christine Collins, a mother whose young son, Walter Collins (Gattlin Griffith), is kidnapped. When he returns home, she begins to suspect that the boy is not really her child. The film held its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May of 2008.2
Related Pages on Mahalo
Changeling | California | Changeling Photos | Changeling Reviews | Changeling Trailer | Angelina Jolie | Los Angeles | John Malkovich | Gattlin Griffith
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