Gordon Stewart Northcott

Early Life in Canada

Gordon Stewart Northcott was born in the small community of Bladworth, Saskatchewan, to parents Cyrus G. Northcott and Sarah Louise Northcott. He was raised in British Columbia, where his early behaviour was noted as unusual by his family. His father later described him as an abnormal boy, both physically and mentally. Northcott's mother insisted her son wear dresses and play with dolls until his mid-teens, a detail that would later be cited in attempts to understand his psychology. The family moved to Los Angeles, California, in 1924, seeking new opportunities. This relocation placed Northcott in the environment where his later crimes would unfold.

The Wineville Chicken Ranch

In California, Northcott convinced his father to purchase a plot of land in Wineville, an unincorporated area in Riverside County. Using his father's construction background, Northcott built a chicken ranch and a house on the property. He brought his young nephew, Sanford Clark, from Canada to the United States under the pretext of helping with the ranch work. The isolated ranch became the centre of Northcott's criminal activities. Police and press reports later commonly referred to Northcott as the 'Ape Man', a nickname derived from observations by his father and nephew about his excessive body hair.

The Crimes and Investigation

While operating his chicken ranch, Northcott abducted an undetermined number of young boys, sexually assaulted them, and then typically released them. However, he murdered several victims at the ranch. The disappearances of local boys, including the Winslow brothers from Pomona, triggered a major investigation. Authorities in Canada arrested Northcott and his mother on September 19, 1928. Due to errors in extradition paperwork, they were not returned to Los Angeles until November 30 of that year. Northcott was implicated in the high-profile disappearance of Walter Collins, but the state chose not to prosecute him for that murder after his mother confessed to it.

The investigation revealed a pattern of abduction, abuse and murder. It was speculated Northcott may have killed as many as 20 boys, but California prosecutors could only gather sufficient evidence for three specific murders. The state indicted him for the killings of an unidentified underage Mexican national, later identified as Alvin Gothea, and the brothers Lewis and Nelson Winslow, aged 12 and 10 respectively. The Winslow boys had been reported missing from Pomona on May 16, 1928.

Trial and Conviction

Northcott's trial began in early 1929 in Riverside County before Judge George R. Freeman. The jury heard detailed evidence that he had kidnapped, molested, tortured and murdered the Winslow brothers and Alvin Gothea in 1928. The prosecution presented a case depicting the chicken ranch as a site of horrific abuse. On February 8, 1929, the jury found Gordon Stewart Northcott guilty of the three murders. Judge Freeman formally sentenced him to death on February 13. Northcott was transferred to San Quentin State Prison on February 12, 1929, to await execution.

Appeal and Execution

While imprisoned at San Quentin, Northcott suffered from appendicitis in September 1929 but refused medical intervention. He experienced another bout of appendicitis in May 1930 and again refused treatment. His legal team pursued an appeal, but the Supreme Court of California refused it on June 26, 1930. This cleared the path for his execution. On October 2, 1930, Northcott was served a final meal consisting of ham, eggs, biscuits, hot cakes and syrup, mush, and coffee. He was then hanged at the prison. The execution was botched, as the rope failed to break his neck, resulting in his death by strangulation after approximately 13 minutes.

Role of Family and Accomplices

Northcott's crimes involved his immediate family in disturbing ways. His mother, Sarah Louise Northcott, was arrested alongside him and later confessed to murdering Walter Collins, for which she was convicted. His nephew, Sanford Clark, was brought from Canada as a teenager and was held captive at the ranch. Clark was forced to participate in the murders and was himself a victim of Northcott's abuse. The dynamic created a horrific situation where a young family member became both an unwilling accomplice and a victim. The son of Sanford Clark later wrote a book detailing his father's traumatic experience, shedding further light on the case's impact across generations.

In Popular Culture

The Wineville Chicken Coop murders have maintained a place in true crime history and popular culture. The case received renewed international attention in 2008 with the release of Clint Eastwood's film Changeling, which starred Angelina Jolie. In the film, Gordon Stewart Northcott is portrayed by actor Jason Butler Harner. The film focuses on the disappearance of Walter Collins and the corruption within the Los Angeles Police Department at the time, with Northcott's crimes forming a central part of the narrative. The case is also frequently covered in true crime documentaries, podcasts and books, often highlighting the transnational nature of the investigation between Canada and the United States.

Questions about Gordon Stewart Northcott

Was Gordon Northcott really Canadian?

Yes, Gordon Stewart Northcott was born in Bladworth, Saskatchewan, on November 9, 1906. He was raised in British Columbia before moving to Los Angeles with his parents in 1924. His Canadian origin is a key part of his biography, and his crimes involved bringing his nephew from Canada to the United States. The case had significant cross-border elements, with his arrest taking place in Canada before extradition to California.

How many boys did Gordon Northcott kill?

Gordon Northcott was convicted by the State of California for the murders of three young boys: Alvin Gothea and the Winslow brothers, Lewis and Nelson. He confessed to murdering nine victims in total. During the investigation, it was speculated he may have killed as many as 20 boys, but prosecutors could only produce evidence for the three murders that went to trial. The exact number of his victims remains uncertain.

What happened to Northcott's nephew, Sanford Clark?

Sanford Clark was Northcott's nephew, brought from Canada to work on the chicken ranch. He was held captive and forced to participate in the murders. Clark was also a victim of Northcott's abuse. After the crimes were uncovered, he provided crucial testimony against his uncle. The traumatic experience had a lasting impact on Clark, and his own son later wrote a book detailing his father's ordeal as an unwilling accomplice and victim.

How did Gordon Northcott die?

Gordon Northcott was executed by hanging at San Quentin State Prison on October 2, 1930. The execution was botched. The rope failed to break his neck, which is the intended result in a standard hanging. Consequently, he died from strangulation, a process that took approximately 13 minutes. His last meal consisted of ham, eggs, biscuits, hot cakes and syrup, mush, and coffee.

What movie was made about the Wineville murders?

The 2008 film Changeling, directed by Clint Eastwood, dramatizes the Wineville Chicken Coop murders and the related disappearance of Walter Collins. The film stars Angelina Jolie as Christine Collins, the mother of a missing boy. Actor Jason Butler Harner portrays Gordon Stewart Northcott. The movie brought renewed public attention to the historical case, exploring themes of police corruption and maternal perseverance.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Nosy Mag desk. Last updated 2026-10-19.