In 1928, nine-year-old Walter Collins disappeared in Los Angeles. His mother, Christine Collins, reported him missing after he didn't return from the movies. Five months later, a boy claiming to be Walter was returned to Christine, but she insisted he wasn't her son. Despite police pressure and being unjustly committed to a psychiatric ward, Christine maintained the boy was an imposter. The case took a dark turn when Gordon Northcott's chicken ranch was investigated, revealing evidence of multiple child murders. Although Northcott was executed for other crimes, and his mother confessed to killing Walter, his fate remains officially unsolved.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. On March 10th, 1928, nine-year-old Walter Collins disappeared in Los Angeles.
2. Walter's mother, Christine Collins, reported him missing five days later.
3. The city was still reeling from another kidnapping and murder that occurred three months earlier.
4. Alleged sightings of Walter came from various locations, including one claim of seeing him at a gas station wrapped in newspaper.
5. In August, Illinois police picked up a runaway boy matching Walter's description.
6. Christine Collins paid $70 to bring the boy back to Los Angeles.
7. After three weeks with the boy, Christine realized he was not her son.
8. Christine used dental records to prove the boy was not Walter.
9. The police insisted it was Walter despite evidence to the contrary.
10. Christine was forcibly committed to a psychiatric ward on September 8th.
11. The boy eventually admitted he was not Walter Collins but Arthur Hutchins.
12. Arthur Hutchins had run away from his father and stepmother and wanted to go to Hollywood.
13. Christine was released from the psych ward on September 13th and sued the LAPD.
14. Captain JJ Jones was suspended but later reinstated and ordered to pay Christine $10,800.
15. The real Walter Collins remained missing.
16. Walters' father believed his former fellow inmates may have kidnapped Walter for revenge.
17. Gordon Stewart Northcott was arrested for kidnapping and murdering boys on his chicken farm.
18. Items belonging to missing boys were found on Northcott's property.
19. Sanford Clark identified Walter Collins among the victims of Northcott's farm.
20. Gordon Northcott confessed to multiple murders but wasn't charged for Walter's death.
21. Northcott's mother confessed to killing Walter with an axe.
22. The town of Wineville changed its name to Mira Loma after the murders' notoriety.
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