Posted by: mylifeofcrime | October 20, 2006

Adriane “Addie” Hall murder 10/05/2006 New Orleans, LA *Boyfriend, Zach Bowen strangled her, dismembered her, cannibalized her and then killed himself*

zach-and-addie.jpg
Zach and Addie

A day in the end of a life
Woman’s Head Found In Pot, Limbs In Oven
A Grisly New Orleans Murder Mystery Takes Another Twist
BOYFRIEND CUT UP CORPSE, COOKED IT

Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)

Posted in crime, murder, murder in the 21st Century | Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

«
»

Responses

  1. [...] Crime Library Katrina survival story ends in grisly killing, suicide A day in the end of a li … Posted by bmp1213Really interesting article (at least for my opinion). what do you think on it?Link to original article [...]

    By: Suicide Blog Digest - Adriane "Addie" Hall murder 10/05/06 New Orleans, LA on October 27, 2006
    at 1:50 am

  2. I have to say that I am shocked by finally learning the details of this murder. I was once a roommate of Addie’s at another apartment around the corner back in 2003. We shared the apartment for 3 months till I moved to so.fl.She was such a GREAT person wtih one of the biggest hearts you could ever find in a person. She would invite you in right off the street if you didnt have any where to go.I WILL MISS HER SO MUCH

    GOD I HOPE HE ROTTS IN HELL FOR WHAT HE DID TO HER!!!!!!!!!

    By: T.J Conard on November 9, 2006
    at 5:46 am

  3. I met Zach and Addie a few months following Katrina. They were two of the nicest people i have ever been around. They told their stories of living through Katrina which were so interesting. My partner and I went down to New Orleans to work renovating two bathrooms in our condo in the 1200 block of Chartres. Our friend Jack Jones introduced us to Addie and Zach. The three of them rode out Katrina and the flooding, they all refused to leave the French Quarter .We saw Zach and Addie everyday for over a two month period either at Matassa’s or at the Condo on Chartres. Addie help us clean up the job site and also gave her advice on the work we were doing on Jack’s renovation. She was always a happy girl who was definitely in love with Zach. We knew of Zach’s estranged wife and his children. I know that Addie wanted nothing to do with the wife or his kids. Zach told us he wanted his kids to be with him but Addie disagreed with this totally.I feel that this has alot to do with the murder. Jack told us the kids were at the new apt a few days before the murder. Early this year, the both of them really wanted to start over and leave NOLA, they traveled the gulf coast looking for a new start in a new city, Mobile, Florida coast line, etc. but came back to NOLA, they loved NOLA.

    By: R Crawford on November 20, 2006
    at 2:10 pm

  4. i knew both Addie and Zach well….I met Addie early in 2005 when i started bartending at Hogs…a few months later Zach started working the graveyard there…when i first met her there was a disagreement about who was suppost to be working that night w/ spider…i was told it was me and she said that i was all up in her shift…but she left and we worked together that next night…she told me that she didnt like training new bartenders but she liked me and i was to be the new bar pet…when we first met Zach she would tell me how she didnt like him and that everyone who said that he was cute was obviously blind…i used to joke back with her and say that she knew she liked him…Zach was cool i guess…he sometimes seemed like he wasnt there with you…I loved Addie so much…she was such a special person to me and helped me out so much in life…im really going to miss her

    By: Margaret on January 4, 2007
    at 7:49 pm

  5. I’m shocked to learn of this ,I have known since we were stationed in Germany together for three years I had Thanksgiving with him and his family me and his wife are very close. Watched eachothers kids hung out at least 3 times or more a week. Walked our kids to school together had BBQ’s, birthday partys they were both my closest friends in Germany.I don’t understand how this happened but I do know that a human can only take so much .War seeing death as something you just have to deal with and still go on keep doing your job .I was the person that helped his wife while induring cemotheapy while the military wouldn’t let him come home to her.So much that he went through,so many questions .Sad,shocked and sickened by his actions but this isn’t the Zach I knew.But who ever really knows whats insides someones mind.I did not know the victim at all,but ghostly enough she looks a bit like his wife.I am sorry for the loss to her family,friends, inside I also think of his wife and children and I’m greatful there were no other victims to what ever made a once kind,funny,gifted, good husband and father go insane because that is what this is insanity.

    By: DAWN on January 29, 2007
    at 4:59 pm

  6. Dawn,
    I am so sad to see what you’ve written about Zack’s wife and children. Are they ok? Is his wife’s cancer better? What about the children? Who takes care of them when she is in Chemo? How horrendous what has happened and affected these little kids! Please let me know how you are!

    Best,
    Paula

    By: paular on February 14, 2007
    at 7:46 pm

  7. I was a very good friend of addie hall. In fact, we were at one point lovers. What a terrible thing to have happen to such a very sweet girl. when I left town on vacation, several times, Addie would watch my differnet homes that over the years I had occupied. At my magazine st. address,the last time we saw her, she gave me my house keys after she and that mother Fucker Zack (boy is that s.o.b. lucky he jumped off the Omni Hotel before I caught up with him) were finished watching and feeding mt animals. She seemed in good spirits. I went to Cali. when Katrina hit and another girlfriend of mine called me with the terrible news. Alot of people did not know she was an instructor of ballroom dancing. If you or anyone who reads this would like, please feel free to contact me, Jonny Carlson, to chat and tell Addie stories. 504-581-5111.Addie Hall will ALWAYS BE lOVED AND REMEMBERED.

    By: jonny carlson on May 9, 2007
    at 3:02 pm

  8. Addie was my second cousin, our fathers are cousins. She was missing from our family for years, no one knew where she was living. Addie and I are the same age, I believe she was a year or two older than I am. As children I remember her as being really cool. I always wished that our families were closer so that we could be like sisters. I hadn’t seen or talked to Addie since we were in junior high school…I miss her more now than ever. Thanks to all who wrote the wonerful things about her…it made her seem more real even in this unreal situation. …emily

    By: Emily on June 5, 2007
    at 2:10 pm

  9. I met Addie through a friend of mine in college in NC back in 1992. She would come and stay with her, always cheery, smart and outgoing. She loved my room since it was filled of pictures form my travels to Europe. When I caught up with our mutual friend years later, I asked about Addie. She was a ballroom instructor in NC. I remember driving to pick her up from the dance studio, hanging out and talking.
    I was shocked to see on AOL headline news and my heart sunk when it was her. I don’t even know if our mutual friend that brought Addie into my life knows and don’t know how to contact her. May she rest in peace.

    By: Molly on June 8, 2007
    at 11:30 am

  10. Bless you girl…

    Such a spirit! How all the boys chased you in high school, me included. How we used to go to the swimming holes. Durham County! How your dad freaked about the peace sign on my camo boonie hat, and your brother would run me out of the house for being such a hippie. So many adventures we had…. “Muffin Feet” on the golf course, singing Janis Joplin on Mom’s back porch. Cruising Garrett Rd. and laughing at all of it. Listening to CDs in the car, hanging with Summer before she fell to her death at Warren Wilson.

    The pictures Post-Katrina look pretty good. The last time I saw you in Asheville, you were kind of down and out, and although I was able to give some help, I wasn’t able to give enough. It’s good to hear you were still living life to the fullest, up to your last days.

    See you on the other side, when it will all make sense.

    RIP

    “Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to loose”

    By: Breckenridge on June 25, 2007
    at 2:59 pm

  11. I was not a fan of Addie Hall. I knew her well for several years in NOLA. I met her shortly after she arrived there from NC. She did a ton of drugs, never held a job, cheated on everyone she ever liked, was often rude and cruel to the people she cared about most, and overall, was a very difficult person to be around. She did have good moments, and times where you could tell that she wanted to be a good person. but she would often speak about how she felt she was possesed by evil. She had a difficult childhood and said she was raped by her brother. And that no one in her family listened to her. So she left home and never went back. Instead of trying to work through her issues, she chose to live her life as an open sore and hurt the people she loved. Looking back, I wonder if Addie wanted someone to kill her. She would sometimes speak about exactly that. How she could not commit suicide but perhaps a boyfriend might kill her one day. She was self destructive in almost every way. Addie and I were close while she was in love with several men and she was cheating on all of them. She was constantly on drugs and drank very heavily. She never held a job very long and lived on the street from time to time. She even accepted money for sex at times. From the time I met her, to Katrina, I saw Addie Hall go down hill fast. She even said that she wanted to die in the French Quarter. This girl is a victim, but not really of Zack, more of herself and her self destructive behavior. And what happened to her as a child. Many of us that tried to get close to Addie were hurt. She was violent, spiteful, deceitful, addicted to drugs and alcohol, and was a part time hooker. She was busted for pulling out a gun and threating to kill someone. She was also busted for drugs. Addie Hall spiraled down hill fast in the French Quarter lifestyle and although charming, she was a destructive person. Yes, at one time, she was a dancer, a waitress, and a bartender, but at the end, she was lost, a junkie, and abusive to herself and everyone else. May she rest in peace

    By: Not A Fan on July 1, 2007
    at 8:23 pm

  12. Addie Hall and I were lovers also in New Orleans in 2003 and although she was murdered, I can tell you that she was looking for a way out of this world. Yes, if you knew her and just found out how she was murdered, it’s difficult, and looks like poor Addie. But at the same time, everyone that knew here can understand why. Addie Hall’s murder is not a shock, the events of how it happened are a little shocking. Perhaps Zack is a closet chief. I don’t know. Maybe Zack was taken over by spirits from the Voodoo shop he lived above, and the guilt he felt from taking her life. But he wrote in her journal that she died quick and painless. Addie Hall died quickly and painlessly, that is more than most of us will die. She was killed by her lover because he was afraid that she was going to kick him to the street. She blamed it on him being unfaithful. Addie Hall was a part time prostitute and had no basis to blame Zack for cheating. I know she took money for sex cause I saw it. Look at him. Sure he might cheat once, but he was no man whore, but Addie had been.

    To be honest, Zack is more the victim here than Addie. I didn’t know Zack well, but I knew Addie Hall well. And I agree with the post here before me. She was a troubled soul, looking for an escape. She was very self destructive and obsessive. She told me she was clearly manic depressive and bi polar as well as being addicted to cocaine and sex. And her reputation was one of being crazy. She would ask me, “am I crazy?”.

    She once told me that she had HIV and could not bare to tell her lovers. She did have HIV as well as other sexually transmitted diseases. I caught genital warts from her and she explained she got it from a lover in North Carolina.

    When I think of Addie Hall, I think of genital warts. I think about how I got them, and passed them on to my future wife. I recall the surgery my wife had to get to remove them from her vagina. . I think about a troubled girl who drank too much, did too many drugs, lived on the street, slept with men for money, and refused to rise above it all. Instead, she chose the easy way out. She played the victim every chance she could. She was not strong enough to rise above the fact that she was sexually raped by her brother.

    We all have crosses to carry around, those that put in the work to rise above it all, will survive. Those who do not, will die. Addie died. It kinda makes sense if you knew her those final years. I actually think she would be happy knowing that she died in such a dramatic way. She did go to the North Carolin School Of the Arts, and knew about showmanship. She would be proud that everyone viewed her as victim. Poor Addie.

    Once, I was Addie Hall’s boyfriend. The girl cheated on me and gave me a sexually transmitted disease. This is what she did to the people who loved her. She was violent when she drank and did way too much cocaine. She also carried a gun.

    Now perhaps the story of Addie’s death has everyone feeling sorry for her. If so, then she has won. But if you really knew her, I mean really knew her in her last few years, her death makes sense and is no surprise. She was a girl on the edge, plowing a path of destruction, wanting to die.

    Zack is the real victim here. And those who knew both, will agree. Zack had problems, but Addie had worse ones. She did love him, and asked him to do what she had wanted done for a long time. To die. She could have never killed herself. She sought out men who could. Zack had killed many men for his country in Iraq. Addie knew that all she had to was to piss him off, and he had the power to do it. And he killed her. Kindly. After that, he went off the deep end with the cooking. But he came to his senses and killed himself. He had been possessed by the demon within Addie Hall. Those of us that have loved her, know what I am talking about.

    Both Addie and Zack are gone now. We miss them. But these were not people working to better themselves, they were people trying to battle their inner demons and they lost. They are examples of how we should fight to rise above our personal demons and dark sides. If we do not, then we might end up being murdered, cooked, or suicide.

    The self destructive tendencies that live within our everyday, should be fought. We have a choice. Some people fight, some people do not. If you fight the demons within, you may live. If you surrender to the dark side within you, the side that makes you do things that hurt the people you love, then you may be murdered. It’s your choice.

    Addie Hall was sometimes nice, sometimes vicious. It is my opinion that she used Zack to end her life, and zack is the true victim here. He had no idea what he was dealing with. Addie instigated it, provoked it, and in the end, was guilty of it herself. They were both on the highway to hell and I think they wanted it that way.

    I can imagine that they are somewhere now, happy of how famous they have become, but I know the truth. Addie was a bitter human, and did her best to disrupt the lives of people she loved. She sought out men who were violent, and then provoked them. She wanted to die, she was unhappy. She was wonderful at times, a true shining star, but the other side was she was a disturbed and troubled soul. You know this is true.

    I see it like this. Addie Hall never got over how her brother raped her and her family thought she was lying. She then sent out on a quest to live life as a victim. She never felt she should be accountable for her crimes. She thought she had a license to hurt everyone in her path. Especially the ones she loved most. Poor Zack. Zack is the real victim here. Or perhaps they were destined to be together.

    I miss Addie as much as anyone else. But I suspect that she is happy to be famous now, and happy to be released from this world and her life. Addie Hall was bi polar. At times, a saint and an angel, other times, a devil in pretty clothes. Addie Hall was not a happy person, a well adjusted soul, or a good girlfriend. She was a difficult and troubled spirit who was never found a home.

    I hope she is home now, but I am also glad that she is far from my home, my wifes home, and my children’s home.

    Thanks for the genital warts Addie.

    By: coolcat on July 2, 2007
    at 12:08 am

  13. Sexual disease Addie

    By: coolcat on July 2, 2007
    at 12:48 am

  14. Addie was also a prostitute. Not a lot of people know that. She was troubled girl who was self destructive. Those of us who knew her well, know that her death is not a shock. She was a very unhappy person and never really got over how her brother raped her. A sad ending to a sad story.

    By: sexstory on July 3, 2007
    at 11:13 am

  15. uh, hey “coolcat” ….homeboy seasoned her. what do you think with? gumbo file? rosemary and thyme? mrs. dash?

    get a grip. your “she made him do it” spin might hold water…. until the necrophelia and cannibalism claims – from his own note come out.

    nice term paper you wrote on it all tho. in one turn calling her awful names and in others saying you loved her. guess she broke your heart? and even tho she ended up in various pots and pans – you still can’t seem to resist giving her one last kick.

    and thru the always heroic forum of the anonymous internet – you did it. hope ya feel better now you douche.

    By: bob on August 28, 2007
    at 4:05 am

  16. Good times for a change
    See, the luck Ive had
    Can make a good man
    Turn bad

    So please please please
    Let me, let me, let me
    Let me get what I want
    This time

    Haven’t had a dream in a long time
    See, the life Ive had
    Can make a good man bad

    So for once in my life
    Let me get what I want
    Lord knows, it would be the first time
    Lord knows, it would be the first time

    By: Michelle Forbes on September 11, 2007
    at 9:41 am

  17. Yo!

    What do you think about love? >:)

    By: CandyShopGirl on October 8, 2007
    at 7:05 pm

  18. Wow. Talk about a bunch of bitter folks.

    I went to High School with Addie. No one deserves what happened to her.

    We were never good buds but knew each other. Geez folks, have a heart. No one deserves that – no one.

    By: Jamie on December 6, 2007
    at 10:57 pm

  19. Coolcat, my guess is you wrote at least 3 of the stories trashing this girl. You may as well have killed her yourself since you think it so deserving and want to defame her after her untimely death. You are worse than you say either of them are!
    Anyone who has suffered incest or rape as a young child especially will grow up promiscuous and be so until they get healing. Obviously she never got it, but it looks like many people liked her enough accept you. Anyhow, you look really bad for the posts and kept repeating yourself which got really old. Maybe you can convince yourself by repeating, but you didn’t convince me.
    RIP Addie

    By: Just Guessing on December 20, 2007
    at 11:21 am

  20. Not a fan,
    Any more dirty laundry you’d like to air about a murder victim who is not here to defend herself? Your comments were EXTREMELY insensative.
    Are you perfect? If you are, can you teach all of us how to be? Maybe then we won’t have to worry about these kind of things happening.

    RIP Addie, and Merry Christmas.

    By: Shauncey on December 20, 2007
    at 12:53 pm

  21. ps
    coolcat,
    I’m wondering if your the one who gave her the disease you seem to know so much about.

    By: Shauncey on December 20, 2007
    at 12:55 pm

  22. I so agree “Just Guessing”. I got midway to Not A Fan’s 2nd personality, coolcat, when I realized they were one and the same. Actually, I’m thinking that he probably didn’t even know her at all.

    I never knew Addie, but I do know that is a terrible way to leave here. I hope she is at peace now. RIP Addie

    By: tracy on December 21, 2007
    at 9:01 am

  23. What’s the point in even saying your “buddy got an STD from Addie”? First of all, you don’t know that to be a fact and second, let the girl rest in peace. She’s not here to defend herself any longer.

    By: Melissa on December 21, 2007
    at 2:43 pm

  24. I just went to this site after reading about the story in Maxim. No doubt Addie had a terrible childhood and acted out pretty much for the rest of her life. Many people from Addie’s life should take some responsibilty for Addie’s downward spiral and ultimate death, obviously Zach being right at the top. At the very least this tragedy should be a learning experience for the rest of us who have had the misfortune to be touched by such a troubled, self-destructive and sad person. I feel like I knew Addie because my last girlfriend was almost an exact copy of her, from the early abuse to the drugs to the sex which made her feel wanted. I fell deeply in love and was ultimately hurt just as deeply, with the same cycle happening to her that apparently happened to Addie, save for the brutal end. This story has done more for my healing than the past year. If nothing else I have learned that some people can’t be helped, don’t want to be helped, or a combination of both. Maybe the events of Addie’s tragic life can help some of us become a little more understanding, compassionate, giving and loving to those less fortunate than us. I’m sure Addie is resting in peace now. Unfortunately I’m also sure there are many others who were in and out of her life that are nowhere near peace now.

    By: Bill on December 26, 2007
    at 10:12 pm

  25. I read same article Bill did in Maxim. Interesting enough Addie’s story also touched upon my own personal life. I know a girl almost same age as Addie (28), same build and very similar in appearance. In fact her real name begins with an A and she is a bartender. Alisha (not her real name) in no way has the troubles Addie has. However Alisha seems to always be involved in relationships with men that end up badly. I am more a friend/confidante to her then lover. However recently Alisha broke up with her BF and her now ex BF went over to her apartment. They got in argument and I heard that he got rough with her. Pushed her around etc…. A neighbor broke it up. However after reading about Addie. It made me wonder how close was a similar situation possibly happening to Alisha? I’d like to tell her about this tragic story so she may get something from it. From reading comments Addie obviously had alot of issues. If Katrina had never happened would Addie & Zach ever gotten together? Was aftermath of Katrina the high point of Addie & Zach’s life? They became mini-famous from that NY Times story. Hopefully Addie’s life & death may help someone else still living.

    By: TJ on December 27, 2007
    at 8:54 am

  26. Bill & TJ,
    Very, very touching comments from you both. That’s why I love this blog. It has the power to heal.
    Bill,
    Who would’ve thought that a tragic story of a young lady you’ve never met could help you heal??
    Look how this story made TJ wonder about his friend. This is what this blog is all about. God bless you both.

    By: Shauncey on December 28, 2007
    at 5:25 pm

  27. To Emily, Jamie and anyone else who knew (or is related to) Addie:

    I’m writing a book about Zack for Henry Holt, a great publishing house that just published Naomi Klein’s ‘The Shock Doctrine.’ I’ve been researching Zack’s case for over a year and want to get insights, memories, etc from those closest to Addie so the book is as balanced and nuanced as possible.

    You can read about me and my work at my website, http://www.ethan-brown.com. My contact info is also posted on my website-would love to hear from any and all of you if you’re interested in talking with me.

    Thanks
    Ethan Brown

    By: Ethan on December 28, 2007
    at 8:44 pm

  28. I just read the article in Maxim as well, and I have read through most of the blog posts. A lot of people seem to want to play bar-stool psychologists. Some claim to know this or that…I didn’t know anything about any of this until I just got done reading this article…the one thing that seems to be true beyond anything else is that Zack Bowen knowingly and willingly strangled and killed Addie Hall. In my book that makes him an awful human being. Whatever faults Addie Hall had were her own and nobody in this world deserves to be mudered at 30 years old. Life is rarely black and white and fault can often to be traced to both parties, but when one takes anothers life they become something else, more monstrous, less human. I’m sure Zack Bowen wasn’t evil or anything, but what he did was behind defensisble. Putting aside his nefarious post mortem behavoir, simply put, he went to the grave a double murderer…at least.

    By: Matt on December 30, 2007
    at 11:43 pm

  29. It amazes me that someone would even begin to say these things about someone that was mutilated like Addie. From what I know about Addie, she was a brilliant poet with a very troubled soul. She lived her life without a mute button. Perhaps we could learn something from her.

    The universe will take care of those that mock tragedies such as these. My greatest fear is what the universe has planned for those insensitive people who have belittled this girl-regardless of what she may or may not have done. This was someone’s daughter, sister, grandchild. Irrespective of how she lived her life, she did not deserve to die like that. Noone deserves the mockery that some of you have placed in this blog. She was 30 years old. How many out there can say they are proud of the things they said and did before thirty? For the family, my only hope for you is that you never have to see blogs or articles degrading the pretty little girl that you loved ever again. The universe will correct this. Karma is not blind.

    By: NSea on January 4, 2008
    at 9:02 pm

  30. Does anyone who knew Addie know if she is the same “Addie” who worked at Amedeo’s in Raleigh?

    By: wolfpacker99 on January 6, 2008
    at 7:29 pm

  31. I personally knew Zach while he was stationed in Germany. There he was a great person, father, friend, and leader. Many Young Soldiers looked up to him and looked for his advice. I hope that all who knew Addie have since been able to let her be at peace. I would never condone Zach’s actions. It is sad to hear what had happened. I just hope that in some way at least one person hears of this story and learns something from it. Whether it is look for the sign in others and help them or maybe with in them selves and they are able to get themselves some help. Both way rest in peace Adriane “Addie” Hall and SGT Zach Bowen. Gone but not forgotten.

    By: Sarge on January 7, 2008
    at 10:20 am

  32. I just read the Maxim article and am totally intrigued by the whole story. Enough to come looking for more on it. I think it’s because i can sort of relate to the type of relationship they had. From what I’ve read about Addie, she reminds me so much of a girl I loved almost a decade ago. We were also together for 1 1/2 years, lived a very similar lifestyle and had many terrible fallouts. I can almost understand some of the emotions he must have felt. Her and I visited New Orleans on a couple of occasions and often talked of moving to the French Quarter, as we were both (and I still am) fascinated by it. This story just adds to my fascination, and the similarities (they were even the same age) makes me wonder how easily it could’ve been us.

    By: Matt on January 10, 2008
    at 5:08 pm

  33. yeah thats the same addie that worked at amedeos in raleigh. i used to hang with her at sadlacks on hillsborough st.

    By: sandy on January 11, 2008
    at 8:12 am

  34. anyone knew Zack

    By: Eric Hoelle on January 11, 2008
    at 2:56 pm

  35. i was stationed with Zach in the 527th rear detachment(the stay behind part of a unit that is deployed. it is where new soldiers, soldiers that were hurt prior to deployment or get hurt on deployment work while a unit is deployed. he was the most awsome individual i ever knew. I got to germany as a private and he took me under his wing and helped me alot. we would go drinking together and just have good time. even after our unit got back from iraq and and he went back to his platoon and i got put in another platoon when i got in trouble he would pull me aside and explain why what i did was so wrong and how not to do it again and to not let it bother me. He was awsome. as far as an incident down range where he slaughtered a whole family NO FUCKING WAY. i was not on that deployment but i did deploy right after he got out of the army with the same people he was down range with and i heard a lot of fucked up stories and i asked if any one killed ne one that shouldnt have been killed and my best friend that was in zachs team said they rarely fired their weapons. i am not in ne way condoning what zach did but i think the weight of a failed marriage and now another failed relationship, and the stresses of combat and then the storm were just to much for him and he snaped. i hope his wife and kids are ok they are in my thoughts and prayers. as well as addies family. i should mention that i did not know addie

    By: militarypolice on February 4, 2008
    at 6:36 am

  36. Dear Addie,
    This woman was strong at heart and was real…..she did’nt need alot of material things in life to get by, all she needed was a pen and a pad and a jar of peanut butter…she was a great poet and freind. Nobody or soul living on this earth is perfect and we are not to judge, REST IN PEACE.

    By: John s on March 30, 2008
    at 12:10 am

  37. I knew Addie in the early ’90s in North Carolina. A friend and I saw her when we went into a restaurant one night, apparently waiting for a ride, and when we finished dinner two hours later, she was still there. She was just a kid at the time – about 16 – very small and (seemingly) fragile, and we offered to give her a ride to her home as the neighborhood was rather sketchy. Ironic to think of that all now, in light of what happened. She thanked us but said no, and we gave her a number to call in case she might need it.

    Two weeks later I received a call. She had been thrown out of where she was living (or had run away, probably a very familiar story for those who knew her) and had no where to go. I took her to my house – she appeared very pale and ill and I asked her if she was hungry. She said yes, and so I cooked her a plate of pasta – she hadn’t eaten in several days and once she began to eat it she passed out onto the table.

    Unfortunately I was about to leave for NYC the next morning, and I didn’t know what to do. I trusted that if I treated her with kindness, that she would not take advantage of the situation. I told her I would be back in a few days and left her keys to the house.

    For some of you who had difficult experiences with her, it might come as a surprise that she was completely respectful of my house and my belongings in my absence. In fact, she ended up staying at my house for almost six months. She had a few teenage moments to be sure, but she coped well and she tried hard to better her life.

    I remember one time in particular when I had given the ground rules of no drugs or guys in the house, and I woke up to find both one night. I told her that the two of them had to find somewhere else for the night, but that she was welcome to return when she wanted to. I drove the two of them to her friend’s house, and she gave me a hug (which was the only physical contact I remember having with her–I was much older than her and felt more like a Dad to her than anything–which of course was probably the last thing she wanted.) Still, I was touched that she realized–or at least I believe she realized–I was trying to look out for her. I don’t know if she ever realized that or not, but I imagine there were others who did the same for her.

    Over the years I heard sad stories about her, while she remained in NC, some of which have been recounted here.
    It’s hard for me to get angry at either of these two, because they both seem to be victims of truly tragic circumstances, living lives that ended tragically. When I first read about Addie and Zach, all I could really think is that the magnitude of their actions, and this pain, and these events, is something that I can’t even understand or fathom. I think that it might be like that for a great number of us. For those of you for whom this is real, and familiar, and who can understand this level of pain, I truly hope that you can find a much better life than they did – and try to feel compassion for two very beloved and extraordinarily flawed individuals.

    By: Ricky Garni on April 1, 2008
    at 2:22 pm

  38. Still shocked by this so came back to read more comments from people that knew both or one or the other man is there some out of line comments.Knowing nothing about Addie I can’t comment on what people had to say about her but they don’t and shouldn’t have the right to blame her.Two people were in that apt two and only they know the truth of what and why it happened. But what I do know I spent enough time with Zack and his family in Germany to know what kind of man he once was and what happened here is utterly horrific and I hope that who ever decides to write about Zack and Addie’s Life start at the beginning and doesn’t miss one damn hardship because this is what lead to the end ultimately and only then maybe there will be healing for all concerned and maybe a understanding.So until then I’m going to remember Zack and his long legged ass racing me one block up the street so that he knew I made it back safe,and him seating on a picnic table at dust playing a guitar ever so lightly as me and Lana chatted bullshit,and how good a daddy he was…and for Addie I think even her worst enemies should find some good memory in their minds “nobody is perfect ” Ps coolcat two people were there when you decided for yourself not to wear a condom it’s called responsibility for your own actions despite the consequences.And to the men and woman in charge in the military that wouldn’t send Zack home when Lana had to go through treatment I think some serious course of action should be taken when it comes to policy isn’t it supposed to be God first Family second,Country third well in this case and most from experience Country comes first by choice of jail time if you don’t do as your told and I know this was one of the reasons this tragedy happened.

    By: Dawn on April 13, 2008
    at 6:29 am

  39. I just learned that the children of Zachary live down the street from us. His daughter and mine have become good friends. She (Zachary’s daughter) is an intellegent, pretty, and very grown up little girl. She is also very sad and told us how much so yesterday. Please remember when speaking about this tragedy to keep in mind those who loved him and survived him. She at 8 years old feels as though she should have done something. While I am not religious in the traditional sense, PLEASE pray for his surviving children. I cannot ever imagine the pain they are feeling and will for the rest of their lives.

    By: Christy on May 29, 2008
    at 5:55 am

  40. Christy,
    Please email me at andytagonist (at) gmail (dot) com
    i would like to find out about Zack’s children and wife. i knew them pretty well–i was there when they met and knew them right up until and after he was stationed in germany. i can prove it.
    Thanks.

    By: andytagonist on May 30, 2008
    at 12:34 pm

  41. [...] C and I were talking about this horrible death earlier this morning. We discussed how much effort it would take to disassemble the bones of the cervical spine to decapitate someone. Not to mention dismembering the limbs, and all the blood. WWL quoted NOPD that the murderer cleaned up after himself. He must have been in there for hours doing the deed. Then he snapped and jumped and died. It will be interesting to see who this was once the media release their identities. [...]

    By: Gruesome murder in the Quarter « the mosquito coast on June 26, 2008
    at 5:36 pm

  42. I live in New Orleans, and I wrote an article about Zak and Addie shortly after they died. I did a lot of investigative journalism in the bars the went to. At the time, I was doing a lot of drugs and drinking and dating a man with the same problems. I can only say that at that time, I could identify with Addie’s psychosis, and I felt they were both extremely disturbed and caught in the sewer of the French Quarter. It took me a few days to write the article, and before I was finished, the guy I was with beat me up. I was in a black out, and I still do not remember what happened, but I had choke marks on my neck, a black eye, a gash on my forehead, and bruises all over my body. I do not know if I started the fight or not. He claims he doesn’t remember either. Someone called the police, they arrested him, and I walked to a bar covered in blood. That experience changed my life, and I joined a recovery group. On August 11, I will have been clean and sober for a year. I went to the Voodoo temple they lived below on the anniversary of Zack’s death, and I was told that they were at peace. I have always prayed for that, and the effect this tragedy had on me may have saved my life. Anyway, the article can be viewed at http://www.nolafugees.com. It’s called The Bad Places.

    By: tarajill on July 27, 2008
    at 10:19 am

  43. If anyone out there has heard from Lana or knows perhaps where she may be email me please at Tomaranstigress@yahoo.com I’d like to pass my number on so she can get in contact Miss my friend and want to know she and kids are okay!

    By: DAWN on October 18, 2008
    at 10:19 am

  44. What the hell is wrong with people!! how do you cut up a person and cook them. Then save some in the fridge for later. This is sickening. And for those who say she deserved it. How discusting you are. No one deserve that. She never killed anyone. You just make me sick. THis wierdo makes me sick.

    By: Donna on October 18, 2008
    at 10:51 am

  45. It deeply upsets me to read this. Addie was an excellent friend to me for many years when I was going through some very difficult stuff. If she had not been there to protect me from myself I probably would not be here. She like me and many others had her demons, but that does not under any circumstance justify the vile way and manner in which she was murdered before she left us to travel to that temple not made with hands eternal in the heavens.

    By: prymer on November 28, 2008
    at 5:04 pm

  46. This murder is just so sad, Does anyone know if a book was ever written on this case?, I remember reading somewhere that someone was doing a book about Addie Hall’s murder etc about a year ago and I’d be interested to know if it was published?.

    By: Tanya on January 2, 2009
    at 5:10 am

  47. The book is scheduled to be published on Sep 1. Here is the Amazon page…

    http://www.amazon.com/Shake-Devil-Off-Murder-Orleans/dp/0805088938/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1243351007&sr=8-1

    It appears it will be more about Zack and other veterans issues than Addie’s story, which is a shame.

    By: andy on May 26, 2009
    at 8:45 am

  48. Addie Was a Sweet Heart!
    I Have Never Known a Nicer Person So For The Ones Posting the Bullshit About her carry Your ass To Jackson Square and talk That shit To My face!

    By: Casey nunez on July 28, 2009
    at 8:55 pm

  49. My wife and I spoke with Addie briefly when she was working behind the bar at the soptted cat. She was giving a coupe of guys a hard time for leaving a small tip. She seemed really up tight, but then became easier to talk to after f ive miutes or so. In the brief time we were there, she seemed at worst someone who could fly of the handle, and at best probably a lot of fun….Whatever she was really like, be it good or bad, she doesn’t deserved to be trashed by the insensitive fools that did so in the earlier blogs…

    By: Frenchman Street Music Lover on September 1, 2009
    at 2:08 pm

  50. I first met Addie pre-Katrina when a friend and I went into Cafe beignet where Addie had worked as a waitress. She had apparently just moved to New Orleans and got into he scene pretty quickly and I’d see her everywhere on Decatur. Sometimes she’d be really bouncy and cheerful and other times really angry or depressed. Quite confusing. Addie had dated two of my friends who both said she was pretty “out there”. Jeff a bartender, said she tried to beat him up and Monaco who called the cops on her for messing with his vespa.

    And she was a nice hearted person, but from what I’ve known of her, she was a fairly dominant female- the type that could push someone like Zach who served in Iraq, over the edge.

    By: Chelsea on September 8, 2009
    at 5:24 pm

  51. I was wondering if any book is or has been written about Addie Hall and Zach Bowen?, I’d like to read more about what they were like as people and what would bring. Seeminly decent man to commit such a crime, God bless you Addie Hall. No-one deserve such a horrible death like that.

    By: Tanya on September 24, 2009
    at 2:02 am

  52. The book you are seeking: Shake the Devil Off: a True Story of the Murder that Rocked New Hasn’t been out too long.

    By: Charlotte on November 2, 2009
    at 1:37 pm


Leave a response






Your response:

Categories