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Chicago’s Most Gruesome Mob Murder: The Sickening Torture and Murder of William “Action” Jackson

In August 1961, Outfit debt collector William “Action” Jackson was abducted, brutally tortured, and murdered by the organization that he worked for

Tim Reynolds
Tales From the Underworld
7 min readMay 8, 2024

This article originally appeared on the true crime newsletter Tales From the Underworld. Subscribe for new and exclusive historical true crime content.

Depiction of William “Action” Jackson (Image generated via Midjourney)

Background

Were it not for the horrific details of his torture and murder, the life and criminal career of low-level Chicago Outfit associate William “Action” Jackson would likely have been lost to history.

However, it is exactly because of the unbelievably cruel and savage method in which Jackson was tortured and killed that he is still remembered today.

Even within the treacherous and often violent world of organized crime, the merciless killing of “Action” Jackson stands apart from traditional mob “hits.” Those involved in Cosa Nostra understand that “The Life,” as it is often referred to, comes with inherent risks, including long prison sentences, or even the possibility of being…

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Tales From the Underworld
Tales From the Underworld

Published in Tales From the Underworld

Weekly tales, stories, and legends from the shadier parts of our world.

Tim Reynolds
Tim Reynolds

Written by Tim Reynolds

Managing Editor at Tales From the Underworld

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