Orley May
American detective
About Orley May
Lived 1897 – 1968 (aged 70–71).
Orley Nelson May (February 16, 1897 – January 27, 1968) was an American detective of the Cleveland Division of Police. He is known for working on several high-profile murders in the city, most notably the Cleveland Torso Murderer case.
Biography Orley Nelson May was born on February 16, 1897, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Marie and Samuel May. Prior to law enforcement, he worked as a shipping clerk.
May married his wife, Pearl Sommer, in 1918. They had two daughters together: Betty and Dorothy.
Career May began working for the Cleveland Division of Police on August 1, 1918. After ten years of service, he was assigned to the department's homicide squad, where he took part in nearly every major murder case in Cleveland between 1928 and 1944.
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Orley May's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Orley May?
American detective
When was Orley May born?
Orley May was born on 16 February 1897.
When did Orley May die?
Orley May died in 1968.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Orley May. https://biography.guide/orley-may/
MLA: "Orley May." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/orley-may/.
Chicago: "Orley May." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/orley-may/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:06 UTC