Ralph Jerome Von Braun Selz

Ralph Jerome Von Braun Selz (December 15, 1909 – ????), alias Slipton J. Fell, was a drifter convicted of murder in the death of Ada Brownell French Rice, the estranged wife of the mayor of Nome, Alaska. Labeled "The Laughing Killer" by the press, Selz continuously filed petitions for his release and made several successful escapes from prison only to be recaptured each time.

Early life Selz was born in San Francisco, California, and after a long period of drifting, returned there in late 1935 and met Rice who, shortly thereafter, invited him to share a small cottage with her in Palo Alto, California. Selz was 30 years younger than Rice, but considered himself a Romeo of sorts and seemed to be a perfect match for her.

Selz was paroled again about 1970 because of heart disease. His ultimate fate is unknown.