By Olivia Janis
When you think of a Valentine’s Day movie you are probably thinking of something sweet, like “10 Things I Hate About You”– NOT a film with the following tagline: “For the past several years, the ‘Heart Eyes Killer’ has wreaked havoc on Valentine’s Day by stalking and murdering romantic couples. This Valentine’s Day, no couple is safe.”
Yes, Heart Eyes is a new Horror/Romance movie (yes, I guess that’s a thing) directed by Josh Ruben. When I saw this trailer, it not only made me want to watch it, but it also made me wonder: have there actually been real-life murders that have happened on Valentine’s Day?
If you are picturing a Halloween story, you’re not alone. Some of these real-life cases are pretty terrifying, but don’t worry–I’ll keep it light(ish).
One of the most infamous crimes tied to Valentine’s Day was the so-called “ St. Valentine’s Day Massacre” in 1929. No, this was not a tragic tale of unrequited love gone wrong. It was a gang-related hit in Chicago where members of the Al Capone gang disguised themselves as police officers and shot the members of their rival gang– the George (Bugs) Moran gang. The story has all the drama of a classic gangster movie, not so much for a romance film to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
Next, there is the haunting story of 19-year-old Jesse McBane and 20-year-old Patricia, a young couple who were last seen leaving a Valentine’s Day dance in 1971. On February 25, they were found together, but not alive.
And, sadly, there have been instances where one member of a couple has turned on the other. In Oklahoma on Valentine’s Day in 2001, Dr. Hamilton placed a call to 911 after his wife had been found dead. It was later revealed that he had a hand in her tragic end, and he was convicted of first-degree murder. A similar Valentine’s Day incident occurred when James Carter took the life of his ex-girlfriend, Tiana, after violating a restraining order. He is serving a 60-year sentence.
Many would consider Stacy Schoek’s Valentine’s Day gift to her husband, Richard, the worst gift possible. After their ”gift exchange” at the park in 2010, Richard was found dead outside his truck. It turned out Stacy hired a hitman, Reginald Coleman, to do the job.
And, in 2013 a state attorney referred to the murder of Denise Leuthold as a “Valentine’s Day present” from her husband, Nathan Leuthold, to his mistress, Ania Dobilaite. Nathan killed Denise to be with his 21-year-old lover Aina Dobilaite, who was an exchange student living with the couple at the time.
As we look at the chilling history of real-life Valentine’s Day murders, Heart Eyes seems to hit even harder. While the film delivers a fictional killer stalking couples, the macabre events tied to this day throughout history serve as a grim reminder that love, in all its complexity, can sometimes spiral into violence and tragedy.
But while these real-life stories are disturbing, it’s important to remember that the vast majority of people celebrate Valentine’s Day in peace, and we shouldn’t let fear overshadow the love and joy that the holiday is truly about.
Let us hope that the worst thing that happens to a couple is that they wait too long to make a reservation for Valentine’s Day dinner and are a bit grumpy with each other on the way to Willy’s.
