Mafia Manhunt: The Murder of Special Agent Everett E. Hatcher

Special Agent Everett Emerson Hatcher was one badass dude and accomplished a lot in his 46 years. Tragically, Special Agent Hatcher’s dedication to law enforcement ended on February 28, 1989, when he was murdered during an undercover operation on Staten Island. Special Agent Hatcher had been trying to infiltrate a cocaine trafficking ring run by associates of the Bonanno crime family. One such associate, mob figure, Costabile “Gus” Farace, was the prime suspect in the killing of Special Agent Hatcher and became the object of a massive manhunt; a manhunt so intense that it literally created a war amongst New York’s mafia and the feds. The Hatcher case highlights the complexities of undercover operations and the calculated risks taken by law enforcement personnel. It also raises questions about the infiltration of criminal organizations by organized crime itself. Tune in as Chelsea and Bailey explore the life and service of Special Agent Hatcher, the details surrounding his death, and the impact of his sacrifice. Buckle up, y’all because this is one of the wildest cases we’ve covered where we get a real life look into the soft white underbelly of the Mafia and even their collaboration with federal law enforcement agencies to smoke out a psychopathic, roid-raged problem that found himself at the top of America’s Top Ten Most Wanted.

 

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​​Art for the podcast was created by Kelly Steen. Editing/Production for the podcast by Bltzwolff (bltzwolff@gmail.com).

 

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References:

Archives of the Mayor’s Press Office. (1996, November 20). MAYOR GIULIANI UNVEILS “SPECIAL AGENT EVERETT E. HATCHER PLACE.” Press Release Archives - 595-96EVERETT E. hatcher place. https://www.nyc.gov/html/om/html/96/sp595-96.html

Celona, L., & Jaeger, M. (2019, March 1). Did a secret offer to the mob avenge this DEA agent’s death? New York Post. https://nypost.com/2019/02/28/did-a-secret-offer-to-the-mob-avenge-this-dea-agents-death/

DEA Museaum. (n.d.). Everett E. Hatcher. DEA Museum. https://museum.dea.gov/wall-honor/everett-e-hatcher

French, Howard W. (November 19, 1989). "Suspect in Drug Agent's Slaying Found Shot to Death". New York Times. Archived from the original on September 27, 2016. Retrieved February 6, 2017.

Fried, J. P. (1997, September 18). In plea bargain, two admit guilt in mob figure’s ’89 killing. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/18/nyregion/in-plea-bargain-two-admit-guilt-in-mob-figure-s-89-killing.html

Marriott, M. (1989, March 2). The “perplexing” killing of a drug agent. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/1989/03/02/nyregion/the-perplexing-killing-of-a-drug-agent.html

McLawrence , S. (2024, February 24). Murder of federal agent by mobster on Staten Island sparked massive manhunt in 1989.: From the Vault. silive. https://www.silive.com/news/2024/02/murder-of-federal-agent-by-mobster-on-staten-island-sparked-massive-manhunt-in-1989-from-the-vault.html

Pooley, E. (1989, March 27). A federal case. New York Magazine, 49–58.

Porrello, R. (2002, November 4). Like Father, Like Son . Rick Porrello’s AmericanMafia.com - Allan May’s mob report current mob stuff. https://www.americanmafia.com/mob_report/11-11-02_Mob_Report.html

Stutman, R. M., & Esposito, R. (1993). Dead on delivery: Inside the drug wars, straight from the street. Warner Books.