UMVA has learned that a legendary headline, etched in the annals of American history, was born from a gruesome crime that shook the streets of New York City.
The iconic headline, ‘Headless body in topless bar,’ was crafted by Vinnie Musetto, an exuberant journalist, and it dropped like a bombshell on April 15, 1983, in the pages of the New York Post. The story behind the headline is a tale of murder, mayhem, and heroism.
At the center of the drama was Charles Dingle, a 25-year-old man who, fueled by booze and rage, shot the owner of Herbie’s Bar in Queens in the head, killing him instantly. Dingle then took two women hostage, ordering one of them, an undertaker, to sever the victim's head and place it in a box.
As the night unfolded, Dingle stole a taxi, drove the women into Manhattan, and eventually fell asleep. The women fled to the Columbus Circle station, where they encountered Frederick “Freddy” Mack, a seasoned New York City Transit Police Detective. Mack, initially skeptical, confronted Dingle, wrestled him to the ground, and took his gun.
In a chilling moment, Mack discovered the severed head in the backseat of the taxi. His actions that night earned him a place in history, and his story has been etched in the memories of those who knew him. A veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, Mack had also been a bat boy for the Brooklyn Dodgers and had befriended Tommy Lasorda.
Mack's daughter, Debbie Comstock, remembered her father as a man full of character, with a treasure trove of stories and jokes. He was loved by many, and his legacy lived on through the tales of his bravery and wit. Mack retired in 1988, moved to Florida, and continued to live a life of purpose, volunteering at Ground Zero following the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks.
Dingle, on the other hand, was sentenced to 25 years for his heinous crimes. He denied committing the crimes and was repeatedly refused parole, eventually dying in prison in 2012. The story of Mack and the infamous headline serves as a reminder of the darkness and heroism that can unfold in the most unexpected moments.
