Walter Liggett was a fierce journalist whose work primarily focused on exposing corruption and organized crime in Chicago. His newspapers, including the 'Midwest' and 'The Daily Worker', often pointed out the connections between criminal organizations and local politics. Liggett's investigative reporting earned him both respect and enmity, particularly among gangsters who felt threatened by his unflinching scrutiny. On December 9, 1935, he was shot multiple times in the back as he left his home, a stark reminder of the perilous landscape that journalists navigated during this era of rampant gang violence in the United States.

His assassination was widely believed to be orchestrated by organized crime figures in retaliation for his relentless campaigning against their activities. The circumstances of his murder ignited a public outcry, and his death was seen as emblematic of the risks faced by those who sought to challenge the status quo in a time when corruption ran rampant in both politics and law enforcement. Walter Liggett’s life and work have since been recognized as crucial in the battle for freedom of the press and the fight against organized crime in America.

In response to his murder, there were calls for greater protections for journalists, as well as investigations into the conditions that allowed such criminal activities to thrive. Liggett’s death and its aftermath contributed to the growing discussion surrounding press liberties and safety, as well as the need for clearer regulations and policing to curb gang violence which was deeply intertwined with socio-political structures of the time.