The legacy of organized crime in St. Louis takes a significant turn with the death of Anthony J. Leisure, a former mobster known for his role in a 1980 car bombing.
At a Glance
- Anthony J. Leisure, a St. Louis mobster, died in prison from natural causes at the age of 78.
- The Missouri Department of Corrections confirmed Leisure’s death.
- Leisure was serving a life sentence for a car bombing on Interstate 55 in south St. Louis County on September 17, 1980.
- The bombing aimed to advance Leisure’s standing in a labor union, leaving a violent power struggle in its wake.
- His family’s involvement in organized crime had longstanding implications with several members, including Leisure, ultimately imprisoned.
The Car Bombing Legacy
On September 17, 1980, Anthony J. Leisure orchestrated a high-stakes car bombing that targeted his boss, James Michaels. The aim was to climb the ranks within Local 110, a St. Louis labor union, by eliminating a key figure in the organization’s hierarchy. The explosion caused considerable disruption on Interstate 55, showcasing the lengths to which some were willing to go to shift power dynamics.
The bomb was more than just an attempt to gain a foothold in a labor union; it was an expression of a vicious feud between the Leisure and Michaels families. This feud, marked by violence and betrayal, left its mark on the city and the families involved, eventually culminating in heavy prison sentences for many participants.
Anthony Leisure, convicted St. Louis car bombing mobster, dies in prison https://t.co/OKK4p7Doqc
— KSDK News (@ksdknews) October 22, 2024
Leisure has this week died in prison aged 78.
The End of an Era
Anthony J. Leisure’s passing at the age of 78 has closed a tumultuous chapter of organized crime in St. Louis. With his death, the saga of the Leisure crime family finds another concluding note. His brother, Paul Leisure, passed away in federal prison in 2000, and David Leisure, another involved family member, was executed in 1999 for his part in the same bombing.
Leisure’s death does not erase the lasting impact of the actions taken by him and his associates. The stories of violence and intrigue have left indelible marks on the history of St. Louis, serving as cautionary tales of the lengths some will go in pursuit of power and status.
