Tom "Black Jack" Ketchum

Tom "Black Jack" Ketchum was hanged in 1901. A historical overview published by the New York Post says the executioners did not account for his weight, and that his head came off when he dropped. The overview describes the hanging as botched.

Cause of death, as reported: Executed by the state

Reported by: historical overview of the hanging (news reports) (reporters).

Source

• The bloody history of botched executions — including cop-killer whose head exploded — after Christa Pike survived New York Post, October 1, 2026