Eddie Fletcher was born in New York but later moved to Detroit, Michigan where he became a notorious member of the Purple Gang. There he operated as a gunman and bootlegger. Growing up in Brooklyn, New York, Fletcher befriended future Purple Gang members Abe Axler and Irving Milberg. Fletcher became a featherweight boxer during his younger years but eventually turned towards crime instead. Fletcher moved to Detroit in 1923 to participate in the Sugar House War. Despite his small size he became one of the most feared gunmen of the Purple Gang. He was rarely seen without his long-time friend Abe Axler, they even called them the 'Siamese twins'. Fletcher was suspected to be one of the participants in the Milaflores Massacre which occurred on March 28, 1927. Three gangsters were lured to an ap