Ernie Biondillo regularly traversed a bleak stretch on his way to manage Youngstown United Music, after the demise of Naples. His routine included wearing a bulletproof vest, but on the fateful morning of August 3, 1996, it proved futile. Driving his rose-colored Cadillac, he was abruptly halted on Murdock Street, finding his path blocked by Lavance Turnage’s car, its hood up. Attempting to retreat, he found Warren Willis’s car had snuck up behind him, leaving him no escape.

Lurking in the shadows, Cleveland Blair and George Wilkins were poised for action. As Biondillo found himself ensnared, they masked their faces, armed themselves with shotguns, and advanced towards his car. A brutal onslaught of shotgun fire shattered the tranquility of the morning, marking an end to Biondillo in a violent display of mob justice.

After the execution, the assailants, set to split a $35,000 reward and indulge in a celebratory meal, made a cold-hearted gesture. One of them snatched a diamond-encrusted gold ring, bearing the initials “EB,” from Biondillo’s finger through the broken car window, symbolizing the final act of their heinous crime.

Ernie A Biondillo, known in the Pittsburgh mafia’s Youngstown operations as a determined and shrewd “button man,” met a tragic end on June 3, 1996, while en route to work. Mentored by Little Joey Naples and Briar Hill Jimmy Prato, Biondillo found himself at odds with Lenny Strollo, Naples’ successor as the Youngstown boss. Ambitious and increasingly independent, Biondillo had aspirations to take over Strollo’s position and had begun making unauthorized political payoffs and collections in the area. This defiance led to his assassination, orchestrated by Jeff Riddle, a key enforcer for Strollo who aspired to be the first African-American inductee into the mob.

Details of Ernie A Biondillo’s life:
– Born: June 8, 1942, in Youngstown, Mahoning, Ohio, United States
– Gender: Male
– Race: White
– Died: June 3, 1996, at 10:20 AM
– Death occurred at St Elizabeth Hospital, Youngstown, Mahoning, Ohio, USA
– Death Certificate Number: 048529
– Age at Death: 53
– Status at Hospital: Hospital/D.O.A.
– Location of Injury: Street and Highway in Mahoning County
– Father’s Surname: Biondillo
– Mother’s Maiden Name: Pagley
– Marital Status: Married
– Education Level: 12 years
– Not a Veteran
– Worked in the Construction Industry as a Carpenter
– Primary Registration District: 500y

Note: Exact location on the street is TBD. If you know, please let us know! sirstoria (at) gmail.com