

Uncle Harold
13 snips Jun 27, 2025
Eric Konigsberg, author of *Blood Relation*, unpacks his shocking discovery that his uncle, Harold, was a mafia hitman. He shares the eerie voicemail from Harold that sparked his investigation. The conversation weaves through family pride tangled with a criminal legacy, the emotional turmoil of visits to maximum-security prison, and dark secrets of organized crime. Konigsberg dives into the chilling impacts of Harold’s actions on both his family and his victims' families, portraying a complex portrait of loyalty, trauma, and the powerful grip of a notorious past.
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Discovering Uncle Harold
- Eric first heard of his uncle Harold, a mafia figure, during boarding school by chance from a former policeman.
- He initially thought it was just a coincidence and did not pursue the connection for many years.
Prison Visits Reveal Complexity
- Eric visited Harold in prison multiple times, experiencing his uncle's coarse, mean, and manipulative nature.
- Harold sought family acknowledgment while simultaneously insulting and threatening Eric.
Murder Plot for Teamsters Power
- Harold murdered Anthony Castellito in 1961 for a Teamsters local leader who feared losing his election.
- They initially posed as FBI agents to enter Castellito's home, but later killed him at his country house.