Grady Stiles
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Grady Stiles Jr. (June 26, 1937-May 29, 1992) was a freak show performer. His deformity was ectrodactyly, where the fingers and toes are fused together to form claw-like extremities. Stiles' stage name was the Lobster Boy.
In 1992, Stiles was murdered in his trailer in Gibsonton, Florida by a hit man hired by family members because of his alcoholism and abuse.
Stiles had previously been convicted of murdering his daughter's fiance, although he was sentenced to probation due to no suitable place being available to hold someone with his condition.
Fred Rosen wrote a book on the case called Lobster Boy: The Bizarre Life And Death Of Grady Stiles Jr., and E! made a True Hollywood Stories episode based on the case titled The Murder Of Lobster Boy. A&E Network also made a City Confidential episode based on the case called Gibsonton: The Last Side Show.
Hal Bennick wrote a song entitled “Lobster Boy is Dead”, which was performed live at many venues across the East Coast and Texas. This song achieved a modest cult following, but never brought any financial rewards. Lobster Boy lives on in song.
