In the final weeks of winter in 1985, authorities across the northeastern United States were scrambling to track down a dangerous fugitive moving toward the Canadian border. The man they were searching for was 30-year-old Alex Mengel, a Guyana-born tool-and-die worker who had just committed a shocking act of violence.
During what should have been a routine traffic stop in Westchester County, Mengel fatally shot Patrol Officer Gary Stymiloski. After the killing, he took the officer’s weapon and fled, triggering an urgent manhunt.
Investigators soon uncovered a second, even more disturbing crime. The following day, Mengel targeted 44-year-old Beverly Capone, an IBM computer programmer from Dobbs Ferry, New York. As she was leaving work, he abducted and killed her, then stole her white Toyota to aid his escape. His plan appeared calculated—he intended to use the vehicle to cross into Canada unnoticed.
However, what police later discovered inside that car revealed just how far Mengel was willing to go.
Timeline of Events
- February 24, 1985: Officer Gary Stymiloski is shot and killed during a traffic stop. Mengel steals his revolver and escapes on foot.
- February 25, 1985: Beverly Capone is kidnapped and murdered outside her workplace. Mengel drives away in her car.
- March 2, 1985: Authorities in Toronto locate the stolen Toyota near a shopping center. After a brief pursuit, Mengel crashes the vehicle and is arrested. Inside the car, officers discover Capone’s driver’s license and a human scalp.
- March 26 – April 26, 1985: Mengel is returned to New York to face murder charges. While being transported on April 26, he attacks a state trooper and attempts to seize a weapon. Officers respond by shooting him. He dies at the scene.
A Gruesome Discovery
When police searched the stolen Toyota after Mengel’s arrest, they uncovered evidence that stunned even seasoned investigators. Along with Capone’s identification, they found a severed scalp believed to belong to her. Authorities concluded that Mengel may have intended to disguise himself using her hair in order to evade detection at the border.
This chilling detail suggested a level of planning that went beyond simple flight—it pointed to a calculated and deeply disturbing attempt at deception.
Capture and Death
Mengel’s arrest in Toronto brought an end to an intense, multi-day international manhunt. Canadian officials quickly arranged for his return to the United States, where he was formally charged with murder.
But the case took one final violent turn. While being transported by state troopers weeks later, Mengel suddenly attacked one of the officers and tried to grab his firearm. In the struggle, police opened fire, killing him instantly. A grand jury later determined that the officers’ actions were justified.
Unanswered Questions
Following his death, investigators searched Mengel’s belongings for additional clues. What they found raised troubling possibilities—numerous photographs of unidentified women and a road map marked with circles and X’s. These items led authorities to suspect he may have been involved in other crimes.
Despite these concerns, no solid evidence was ever found linking him to additional murders. With Mengel dead, any deeper truths about his actions or possible victims remain unknown.
Legacy of the Case
The Alex Mengel case remains one of the most unsettling cross-border crime stories of the 1980s. It highlights how a determined fugitive nearly escaped capture through an unthinkably gruesome disguise.
Even decades later, the case continues to disturb and fascinate investigators and true crime audiences alike—both for its brutality and for the haunting questions it left behind.
Key Takeaways
- Alex Mengel carried out a violent crime spree in early 1985 across New York and Canada.
- He murdered Beverly Capone and used her vehicle while attempting to flee.
- Evidence suggests he planned to disguise himself using her hair to evade authorities.
- He was killed by police during an escape attempt on April 26, 1985.
- Investigators suspected additional crimes, but no conclusive links were ever proven.