An article in the Telegraph on Sunday August 25, 1996, lists many unsolved murders in the Alton area over 40 years' time. It mentions Todd Friedman's murder.
"Todd Friedman of Alton was also killed in what police believe to be a robbery attempt.
"The 22-year-old Friedman was killed Oct. 28, 1974, when he and store manager Fred Gent, 21, were abducted from a Radio Shack store and found murdered near Florissant, Mo.
"Friedman, son of Alton businessman Julian Friedman, 'was shot in the head and his body was dumped along [...] Halls Ferry Road,' said Florissant Police Chief Robert Lowery Sr., commander of the St. Louis Major Case Squad.
"Friedman's murder remains on the list of unsolved cases, but Lowery believes that two hoodlums may have abducted and killed Friedman in a robbery attempt.
"'Two of the suspects in Friedman's death are now in prison on another murder case,' Lowerey said."
The obituary in the Telegraph on Mon. Dec. 16, 1974, says:
Friedman funeral announced
"Private graveside services will be conducted Tuesday at Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery at Olive and Hanley Roads, St. Louis, for Todd Lewis Friedman, 22, of Alton, who was found dead Sunday in St. Louis County.
"A native of Alton, he had graduated from Alton High School in 1970 and received his bachelor of arts degree in political science from Washington University in early October.
"He was employed at the Radio Shack in Florissant, Mo. for one week before the abduction from the store on Oct. 28.
"He was an Eagle Scout and was former president of the Southern Illinois Jewish Youth Association.
"He had recently published an article on Israel's atomic capacities in the bulletin of Atomic Scientists.
"Surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jay Friedman of 2206 Edwards st., Alton; two brothers, Dr. Jan Friedman of Seattle, Wash. and Mark Friedman of Denver, Colo. and his grandmother, Mrs. Bessie Friedman of St. Louis.
"The family request memorial contributions be given to the Temple Israel Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 87, Alton.
"Berger Funeral Home in St. Louis is in charge of arrangements."
An article in the Telegraph on Nov. 1, 1974, talks about Todd missing for five days and his parents finally arriving home after being delayed in Hong Kong for 36 hours by a typhoon.
An article in the Telegraph on Wed. Nov. 27, 1974, says the the Friedmans were asking for help in trying to find their son. They hoped his high school friends might find some leads.
An article in the Telegraph on Monday, Dec. 16, 1974, by Ande Yakstis, repotrted that Todd's body had been found, apparently murdered.
An article in the Telegraph, Tues. Dec. 17, 1974, noted the similarity between the Friedman slaying and the murders of a St. Louis pharmacist and a drugstore clerk.
I remember when Todd was missing and was found murdered, that it shock me up a lot. I guess this was the first time anything like that had ever happened to someone I knew. It was very upsetting.
Todd lived down the hill from me until we left for college. We were good friends and I know stories that I cannot even share with you. But I can remember one drinking binge where he threw up which would have stopped anyone at 16 from continuing to drink anymore. He shook it off and said "i feel alot better now" and grabbed another beer.
He and Terry Carpenter use to pick on each other all the time. I can remember Todd regurgitating a pizza back on a pizza pan and reheating. When Terry arrived, he prompltly served the meal up to Terry who started merrily eating away. I can tell that story since Terry is no longer here to defend himself from this true accusation.
The last time I saw Todd was at The Mississippi River festival.i can’t remember if it was Janis Joplin or another performer. I remember very clear the interaction I had with him. I think he asked me out, but I already had a boyfriend. He was very kind to me. Vivien Bloomerbliss
Todd was the first Jewish guy I knew. I thought if everyone who is Jewish was like Todd what a wonderful group of people they must be. If I'm right the Jewish people are a wonderful group of survivors and have made it though so many hard times it seems so unfair that a guy as funny and cool as Todd had to leave this earth in a such a tragic way. Todd was on the swim team with Terry Carpenter, Chris and Mark Slaughter and some other truly remarkable people. As swimmers we never got the acolades and recognition other atheletes got. Fortuneatly for us Michael Phellps changed all that. Todd was an incredible breastroker and his fast stroke and quick recovery earned him many medals and awards over the years. Todd's parent's were wonderful people who survived the death of a remarkable young man with grace and dignity. I'll never forget the little guy with the quick wit and great since of humor. I can't forget his mom and dad coming home from the Six Days War where Isreal basically kicked the shit out fo the rest of the Ararb countries after those bufoons thought they could take out one of the most powerful nations in the world. I recall Todd's dad telling us about seeing soviet tanks for as far as the eye could see. The Isrealies captured so many soviet armaments it showed Egypt and the middle east that Isreal cannot be messed with no matter what. Today they are still the second most powerful country on Earth because whoever messes with us messes with them. China and Russia might think they have the might but don't downplay Isreal's size doesn't mean a thing when it comes to brain power and deception. Isreal has the most powerful intelligence agency in the world. If you don't think so just get involved with the Massad.Sorry I got away from Todd. The crazy days playing games in Barton's pool and hanging out with Carpenter and Robert Simpson are unforgettable. I'll never forget Todd. I wish I though the police could have solved the crime however it sounds like the idiots who did this cruelty are in their own living hell. Five minutes with these fools and I'd have to trade places with them. I'll always love you my brother. dg
Ruth E Mitchell (Bell)
An article in the Telegraph on Sunday August 25, 1996, lists many unsolved murders in the Alton area over 40 years' time. It mentions Todd Friedman's murder."Todd Friedman of Alton was also killed in what police believe to be a robbery attempt.
"The 22-year-old Friedman was killed Oct. 28, 1974, when he and store manager Fred Gent, 21, were abducted from a Radio Shack store and found murdered near Florissant, Mo.
"Friedman, son of Alton businessman Julian Friedman, 'was shot in the head and his body was dumped along [...] Halls Ferry Road,' said Florissant Police Chief Robert Lowery Sr., commander of the St. Louis Major Case Squad.
"Friedman's murder remains on the list of unsolved cases, but Lowery believes that two hoodlums may have abducted and killed Friedman in a robbery attempt.
"'Two of the suspects in Friedman's death are now in prison on another murder case,' Lowerey said."
Ruth E Mitchell (Bell)
The obituary in the Telegraph on Mon. Dec. 16, 1974, says: Friedman funeral announced "Private graveside services will be conducted Tuesday at Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery at Olive and Hanley Roads, St. Louis, for Todd Lewis Friedman, 22, of Alton, who was found dead Sunday in St. Louis County. "A native of Alton, he had graduated from Alton High School in 1970 and received his bachelor of arts degree in political science from Washington University in early October. "He was employed at the Radio Shack in Florissant, Mo. for one week before the abduction from the store on Oct. 28. "He was an Eagle Scout and was former president of the Southern Illinois Jewish Youth Association. "He had recently published an article on Israel's atomic capacities in the bulletin of Atomic Scientists. "Surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jay Friedman of 2206 Edwards st., Alton; two brothers, Dr. Jan Friedman of Seattle, Wash. and Mark Friedman of Denver, Colo. and his grandmother, Mrs. Bessie Friedman of St. Louis. "The family request memorial contributions be given to the Temple Israel Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 87, Alton. "Berger Funeral Home in St. Louis is in charge of arrangements."Ruth E Mitchell (Bell)
An article in the Telegraph on Nov. 1, 1974, talks about Todd missing for five days and his parents finally arriving home after being delayed in Hong Kong for 36 hours by a typhoon.An article in the Telegraph on Wed. Nov. 27, 1974, says the the Friedmans were asking for help in trying to find their son. They hoped his high school friends might find some leads.
An article in the Telegraph on Monday, Dec. 16, 1974, by Ande Yakstis, repotrted that Todd's body had been found, apparently murdered.
An article in the Telegraph, Tues. Dec. 17, 1974, noted the similarity between the Friedman slaying and the murders of a St. Louis pharmacist and a drugstore clerk.
Ruth E Mitchell (Bell)
I remember when Todd was missing and was found murdered, that it shock me up a lot. I guess this was the first time anything like that had ever happened to someone I knew. It was very upsetting.Ruth E. Bell
Gary D Barton
Todd lived down the hill from me until we left for college. We were good friends and I know stories that I cannot even share with you. But I can remember one drinking binge where he threw up which would have stopped anyone at 16 from continuing to drink anymore. He shook it off and said "i feel alot better now" and grabbed another beer.
He and Terry Carpenter use to pick on each other all the time. I can remember Todd regurgitating a pizza back on a pizza pan and reheating. When Terry arrived, he prompltly served the meal up to Terry who started merrily eating away. I can tell that story since Terry is no longer here to defend himself from this true accusation.
Pamela S Reeve (Quina)
Todd was the first boy I kissed.
Vivien L Bloomer (Bliss)
The last time I saw Todd was at The Mississippi River festival.i can’t remember if it was Janis Joplin or another performer. I remember very clear the interaction I had with him. I think he asked me out, but I already had a boyfriend. He was very kind to me. Vivien Bloomerbliss
David P Grady
Todd was the first Jewish guy I knew. I thought if everyone who is Jewish was like Todd what a wonderful group of people they must be. If I'm right the Jewish people are a wonderful group of survivors and have made it though so many hard times it seems so unfair that a guy as funny and cool as Todd had to leave this earth in a such a tragic way. Todd was on the swim team with Terry Carpenter, Chris and Mark Slaughter and some other truly remarkable people. As swimmers we never got the acolades and recognition other atheletes got. Fortuneatly for us Michael Phellps changed all that. Todd was an incredible breastroker and his fast stroke and quick recovery earned him many medals and awards over the years. Todd's parent's were wonderful people who survived the death of a remarkable young man with grace and dignity. I'll never forget the little guy with the quick wit and great since of humor. I can't forget his mom and dad coming home from the Six Days War where Isreal basically kicked the shit out fo the rest of the Ararb countries after those bufoons thought they could take out one of the most powerful nations in the world. I recall Todd's dad telling us about seeing soviet tanks for as far as the eye could see. The Isrealies captured so many soviet armaments it showed Egypt and the middle east that Isreal cannot be messed with no matter what. Today they are still the second most powerful country on Earth because whoever messes with us messes with them. China and Russia might think they have the might but don't downplay Isreal's size doesn't mean a thing when it comes to brain power and deception. Isreal has the most powerful intelligence agency in the world. If you don't think so just get involved with the Massad.Sorry I got away from Todd. The crazy days playing games in Barton's pool and hanging out with Carpenter and Robert Simpson are unforgettable. I'll never forget Todd. I wish I though the police could have solved the crime however it sounds like the idiots who did this cruelty are in their own living hell. Five minutes with these fools and I'd have to trade places with them. I'll always love you my brother. dg