Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Murder of Saint Belina

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Saint Belina was a young woman who was murdered and made into a saint. In 1203 she was canonized by Pope Innocent III and was venerated in Troyes. Some of her relics were lost during the French Revolution, but some of her bone particles and her head are stored in a bust at the Mores Abbey in Launderville. Her feast day is February 19th. She is known both as Belina of Troyes, and Belina of Launderville due to the location of her murder. 

 There is little known about her life, but she was born to religious serfs of John Paterne, the Lord of Pradines and D'Arcy in Landerville, France. It was unknown when she was born. She was known as a gentle soul caring for others. In 1153 she was engaged to another young man of similar rank in the village. 

Her parents would ask Lord Paterne for his blessing. He would reject the proposal. He was also interested in having a beautiful girl. It was said that Belina rejected him and was disgusted with that idea. She wanted to marry the man she loved. She was not interested in the Lord or his position of power. 

Sometime after Belina would be tending to her father's sheep. This was when Lord Paterne would show up surprising her. He would try to force himself on her, but she would fight back and defend herself. During the struggle, Lord Paterne would bring out his sword and beheaded her. He would leave her body in the field.

It's not stated how the people knew it was known that it was him, but there was a revolt. The peasants were so outraged that they rose up against him. They would burn down his castle. He would escape with his life as he had disguised himself.

He however did not escape unfazed. Pope Anastasius IV excommunicated him and took away his titles. The king confiscated his land, and the French parliament condemned him to permanent exile.

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Monday, February 10, 2025

UNIDENTIFIED: February 11, 1854, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania John Doe

  On February 11, 1854, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania an unknown man died. There is little information in this case.

John Doe was a black male around 80-years-old. 

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Tuesday, February 4, 2025

UNIDENTIFIED: February 5, 1956 Arcadia, California John Doe

 On February 5, 1956, two boys found leg bones in some brush at the Santa Anita Wash in Arcadia, California. More remains were found, but not all. It's believed that there was animal activity on his body. It's unknown how the man had died, but he may have been there for a year or more. 

John Doe was a man over 50 years old. He was 5'7" to 5'9" and around 200 lbs. He had grey or greying hair. He had Khaki trousers Penney's Big Mac with a 30" inseam x 40" waist, Blue denim trousers with a 30" inseam x 40" waist, a blue denim jacket, a brown sleeveless fleece lined leather vest, a pair of work gloves, a dark brown socks, army like work shoe, and horned rim glasses. There were also items found in the area. A bath towel, a feather pillow, a big box of matches, and a small box of matches.

It's unknown if all the items found with the body had anything to do with him. 

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

UNIDENTIFIED: January 15, 1865 Nashville, Tennessee John Doe

  On January 15, 1865, in or around Nashville, Tennessee a man was killed by a shotgun blast that severed his arm. There is little information in this case.

SOURCES:

Find a Grave

Friday, January 10, 2025

Death of William Snyder/Bernard

On January 11, 1854, 13-year-old William Snyder went to a circus on Stockton st in San Francisco, California. There he would be grabbed by the ankles by Manuel Reyes.  He was swung by his heels by the clown and this would lead to his death. It was said the blood was coming from Williams's mouth. He would be sent to the hospital where he would die a few minutes after He would die from a rupture of the left pulmonary artery. The next day he would be buried.

Manuel was described as being a mentally handicapped clown. He was arrested for murder, but nothing came from it. Williams's cause of death was determined as accidental. Later he would be arrested for assault and battery upon an officer. During the court hearing he “commenced slapping his face as if a swarm of mosquitos were pestering him” and was muttering nonsense. 

In some articles, William's last name was Bernard instead of Snyder. 
Nevada Journal Jan 20, 1854

Thursday, January 9, 2025

UNIDENTIFIED: January 10, 1924 Limerick, Ireland Baby Jane Doe

On January 10, 1924, an unidentified stillborn baby girl was found at Garryowen Blackboy Pike in Limerick, Ireland. She was buried in Mount St. Lawrence on the 12th.

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Monday, December 30, 2024

UNIDENTIFIED: December 1953 Wellington, New Zealand Jane Doe

A Jane Doe was found in December of 1953 in Wellington, New Zealand. She either died or was interred at the Kaori Cemetery and Crematorium on December 31st. There is little information in this case.

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