March 1, 1932. In a quiet New Jersey mansion, the infant son of Charles Lindbergh, the world’s most famous aviator, vanished without a trace. A ransom was paid, but the child was found dead. The nation was gripped by fear, fascination, and outrage, as suspicion fell on a German-born carpenter, Bruno Richard Hauptmann.

Decades later, the case remains a chilling mix of mystery, media frenzy, and miscarriage of justice. In this series, we’ll unravel the kidnapping, the investigation, the trial, and the controversial execution that shocked America.