The Final Days of Albert Anastasia: The Brutal End of the Lord High Executioner
Albert Anastasia, sometimes known by his nickname "Lord High Executioner," was one of the most feared and powerful figures in organised crime in the United States during the mid-20th century. His rise to infamy, marked by a reign of unparalleled violence, came to an abrupt and bloody end on October 25, 1957. Anastasia's assassination in a Manhattan barbershop became a turning point in mob history, publicly showcasing the violent power struggles of New York's criminal underworld.
The Rise of Albert Anastasia: A Ruthless Enforcer
Albert Anastasia, born Umberto Anastasio in 1902 in Calabria, Italy, immigrated to the United States in 1919. He quickly fell into a life of crime, starting with dockside work in Brooklyn, where he earned a reputation for brutality and efficiency as an enforcer. By the early 1930s, Anastasia had joined forces with the notorious Lucky Luciano, a pivotal figure in the restructuring of the American mafia into its modern form. Anastasia’s loyalty and violent tendencies made him an indispensable asset in Luciano’s rise to power, particularly during the Castellammarese War.
Anastasia became a founding member of Murder, Inc., a secret arm of the mafia responsible for carrying out contract killings. As the organisation’s leader, he oversaw hundreds of hits, solidifying his status as one of the most feared men in the criminal world. His involvement in Murder, Inc. earned him the chilling moniker "The Lord High Executioner."
Anastasia was not merely an executioner but also an astute businessman within the mafia. He controlled labour racketeering on the docks, using his iron grip over the longshoremen's unions to further his influence. By the late 1940s, Anastasia had ascended to the leadership of the Mangano crime family (later renamed the Gambino family), one of New York’s most powerful crime organisations. With Luciano deported and other key figures sidelined, Anastasia solidified his position as a major player in the mafia's leadership.
Associates and Rivals: The Men Around Anastasia
Albert Anastasia’s rise to power was aided and challenged by a number of key figures in the mafia. His alliances and rivalries played a significant role in shaping his final days.
Vito Genovese: A long-time rival of Anastasia, Genovese’s ambition to dominate the New York mafia put him in direct conflict with Anastasia’s power base. Genovese had already orchestrated the near-fatal attack on Frank Costello, and his sights were set on Anastasia next.
Carlo Gambino: Perhaps the most significant figure in Anastasia’s orbit, Gambino was his underboss and had a reputation for being patient and calculating. After Anastasia’s death, Gambino assumed control of the family, reshaping it into the powerful Gambino crime family that would dominate organised crime for decades.
Frank Costello: A former boss of the Luciano crime family, Costello survived an assassination attempt ordered by Genovese earlier in 1957. His retreat from the mafia's leadership created a vacuum that players like Anastasia, Genovese, and Gambino sought to fill.
Joe Gallo: A notorious mobster from Brooklyn, Gallo is often mentioned as one of the possible triggermen in Anastasia’s murder. His crew was known for its violent tactics, and Gallo’s later conflicts with the Gambino family would further fuel suspicions about his involvement.
Fort Lee Estate: A Mobster’s Fortress
By the time Albert Anastasia became the head of his crime family, he had accumulated significant wealth, which allowed him to purchase a sprawling estate in Fort Lee, New Jersey. This mansion, perched on the cliffs overlooking New York City, was a far cry from the Brooklyn streets where he had started his criminal career. It was an opulent hideaway, with stucco walls, terracotta tiles, and panoramic views of Manhattan. Yet, like the man himself, the estate had a darker side.
The mansion was equipped with secret passageways and tunnels, designed to allow Anastasia a quick escape if necessary. The basement was rumoured to have been fitted with drains in the floor, supposedly for slaughtering "deer." However, many suspected that the basement had served as a more sinister venue, potentially used for disposing of enemies or conducting brutal interrogations. These hidden features reflected Anastasia’s deep-seated paranoia, a necessary trait for someone who lived by the gun.
The Lead-Up to the Murder: Power Struggles and Betrayal
As the 1950s progressed, tension within the mafia escalated. Anastasia’s unrelenting violence and increasingly erratic behaviour put him at odds with other mafia bosses, particularly Vito Genovese and his own underboss, Carlo Gambino. Genovese, who sought to dominate the mafia in New York, saw Anastasia as an obstacle to his ambitions. Meanwhile, Gambino, who had quietly served under Anastasia for years, was equally motivated to remove him from power, eyeing the top spot for himself.
In 1957, the tension came to a head. Genovese, after successfully orchestrating the downfall of Frank Costello, turned his attention to Anastasia. His violent and unpredictable leadership, combined with his disdain for other bosses, made him a prime target for assassination. Rumours circulated within the underworld that a hit was in the works, and Anastasia’s demise seemed inevitable. Yet, the exact details of the conspiracy remain murky, as mafia power plays were often shrouded in secrecy.
One of Anastasia’s most trusted associates, Joe Gallo, leader of the Gallo crew, is frequently mentioned in connection with the hit. Some speculate that Gallo was hired by Gambino or Genovese to eliminate Anastasia, though no concrete evidence has ever been uncovered.
The Assassination: October 25, 1957
On the morning of October 25, 1957, Albert Anastasia’s day started like any other. From his cliffside mansion in Fort Lee, New Jersey, he was driven into Manhattan by his chauffeur. His destination was the Park Sheraton Hotel on West 56th Street, where he was due for his usual haircut. This barbershop, a favourite of mobsters, was a routine stop for Anastasia.
As Anastasia settled into the barber’s chair, his long-time bodyguard, Anthony Coppola, left to run an errand. This momentary lapse in protection would prove fatal. Two masked gunmen entered the barbershop and, without hesitation, opened fire. They fired ten shots, five of which hit Anastasia in the head and body.
Startled and confused, Anastasia attempted to rise from the chair and charge at his attackers. In his disoriented state, however, he mistakenly attacked their reflections in the mirror. In a futile and tragic display of his once-formidable power, Anastasia lunged at the glass, before collapsing onto the floor, covered in blood. The barbershop fell silent, and the gunmen swiftly vanished into the city, leaving behind a scene that would forever be etched into mob lore.
Aftermath: The Fallout from Anastasia's Death
The assassination of Albert Anastasia sent shockwaves through the world of organised crime. Newspapers plastered the grisly image of his lifeless body, draped in barbershop towels, across their front pages. The brutality of the hit was not surprising for those familiar with mafia tactics, but the audacity of carrying it out in broad daylight in Manhattan made it all the more shocking.
In the days following the hit, speculation ran rampant about who was behind the assassination. Vito Genovese was widely believed to be one of the masterminds, as Anastasia’s death paved the way for him to consolidate power in New York. Carlo Gambino also stood to benefit greatly, as he took over Anastasia’s family and transformed it into the powerful Gambino crime family. While both men were suspected, the actual gunmen were never identified. Theories persist to this day, with some pointing to Crazy Joe Gallo and his crew as the triggermen, but no one was ever charged for the crime.
Anastasia’s murder was a pivotal moment in the history of the mafia. It signalled the end of the violent, unstable leadership that had defined the mob in the 1940s and 1950s, giving way to a more calculated and business-oriented approach under leaders like Gambino. The era of high-profile executions and street warfare was beginning to wane, as the mob shifted its focus to white-collar crime and corruption.
Legacy: The End of an Era in Organised Crime
The assassination of Albert Anastasia was more than just the death of a single mafia boss; it marked the end of an era in organised crime. His 30-year career, defined by violence and a ruthless pursuit of power, came to a bloody end in a Manhattan barbershop, signalling a shift in the mafia's leadership structure.
Anastasia’s legacy as one of the most violent mobsters in American history remains intact. His role in Murder, Inc., the dozens of killings he ordered, and his control over the New York docks earned him a place in the pantheon of mob legends. His death, meanwhile, continues to be a point of fascination, not only for its brutal nature but also for the enduring mystery surrounding who was truly responsible.
As the mafia evolved in the decades following Anastasia’s death, his story became a cautionary tale of power, betrayal, and the deadly consequences of the criminal life.
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