Colorado’s Notorious Cannibal Alfred Packer Paroled 113 Years Ago Today

Alfred Packer, the really nasty dude who ate five of his associates as they passed through Colorado and Utah, was paroled on this date after serving an 18-year sentence.

In November 1873, Packer was working as a guide for a group of 21 miners looking to make it big in the area around Breckenridge, Colorado. Unfortunately, that particular winter was especially rough, and things went wrong.

Eventually, they made their way to the camp of Ute Indian Chief Ouray, near what we now call Montrose, Colorado. The Utes provided shelter, and encouraged them to stay put until they regained their strength. As it happened, Packer and five others resumed their journey, and history recalls what happened next.

Packer arrived at the Los Pinos Indian Agency alone and looking surprisingly well fed and healthy. No doubt you can guess why. He was arrested and charged with Murder, but managed to escape and spend 9 years at large.

Packer was later caught and convicted by a jury on the charge of Manslaughter. He was imprisoned in the Canon City penitentiary until he was paroled on January 7, 1901.

I'm not entirely sure I know how to feel about a man convicted on multiple counts of Manslaughter being granted parole after 18 years. That seems a little light. South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker made a film with their take on Alfred Packer's adventures. Check out this clip from "Cannibal - The Musical."