Saturday, December 14, 2024

Murder of Eugenio Lopez

On December 15, 1914, 41/42-year-old Eugenio Lopez was at his home at 225 Conejos St. in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Two men would knock on Eugenio's door. When he answered he was either shot or stabbed in the chest which went through his right lung. He would then flee to his neighbor's home for help. The two men proceeded to burn down Eugenio's home. They may have had

He would die on December 31st from the injuries.

I could not find if the two men were found and prosecuted for the murder.

SOURCES:
Find a Grave
The Ordway New Era December 25, 1914
Gilpin Observer December 17, 1914

Friday, December 13, 2024

Murder of Ann Wycherly

 In 1837 28-year-old Ann Wycherly lived in a workhouse with her two illegitimate children in Drayton, 
England. She was known to have mistreated her oldest daughter Ann who was 3/4-years-old. On December 14, 1837, a James Freeman would see Ann and the two children leaving the workhouse in the early afternoon. 

By 6 Ann was exhausted and knocked on the door of Sarah Newbrook asking to rest. Sarah allowed the single mother to do so and noted that she just had an infant with her. 

On December 22nd the body of young Ann was found by William Poole, a farm laborer, in a water pit on his employer's land near Chipnal. He went to tell Mr. Butters of the body and the two pulled the young girl out. 

An inquest for the girl's identity was done at the Noah pub and William Crutchley, the governor of Drayton, recognized the young girl as young Ann Wycherly. Ann would be confronted and arrested for the murder.

They would show her the body and Ann seemed reluctant to look or touch her daughter. When asked why the girl was murdered Ann said that Charles Gilbert, father of her youngest, persuaded her to. She said Charles helped get the girl into the pit and then threw tiles at her


In March the Assizes would happen. Ann (Mother) would get capital punishment and would be set to hang. When told she was to be executed she told the court that she was with child. An examination was quickly done and it was found she was not pregnant. 

There were efforts to obtain reprieve of capital punishment, not because of innocence as she was seen as guilty, but for her feeble mind and being convinced to kill her daughter. The judge who presided the case saw the punishment befitting the crime though.

On May 5, 1838, Ann would be hanged in Stafford. The crowd that came was unusually small, but it's likely because people believed Ann would be reprieved for the murder. 

SOURCES:

Capital Punishment UK (list of executions)

Capital Punishment UK (Story of murder and execution)

True Crime Library

The Observer March 19, 1838

The Hull Packet; and East Riding Times March 23, 1838

The Standard May 2, 1838

Berrow's Worcester Journal May17 1838

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Murder of Gilbert Caleb Amos

On December 12, 1924, around 10 pm 21-year-old William Bressington would go to the home of the Amos family in Bristol, England. He was known to the family. The three Amos boys were home, 12-year-old William, 8-year-old Gilbert, and 2-year-old Walter. William B. would tell the oldest boy that their aunt Lizzie was looking for him. William A. told him that he could not go because he was in charge of babysitting the baby. Their mother was Christmas shopping at the time. 

Gilbert went instead volunteered to go instead. He stated that he would go with Gilbert and find out what their Aunt wanted and bring him back to convey the message. However, this was not what happened. The Aunt did not send William B. to get any of the boys.

William B. instead of bringing Gilbert to their aunts he brought him to Cousin's Field in Staple Mill. He did the unimaginable to the boy. He would sexually assault the young boy and then strangle him to death with a necktie. It was possible the sexual assault also happened while he was dead.

William would leave Gilbert's body and loiter near Derham's boot factory where his father Charles came across him. William told his father "I have done it, Daddy. I can't tell you, but I'll take you to the place and how you." William would bring his father to the crime scene. Charles seeing the young boy's body began to beat his son. A bystander had to intervene to get him to stop beating him. 

William would be arrested and confessed to his crimes again. On February 16, 1925, he would appear at the Bristol Assizes before Justice Roche. He confessed to the murder, but not the sexual assault. He claimed that a man named "James" had asked him to fetch the boy. That "James" had done that.


He would plead insanity. In 1924, William Bressington was discharged from the army for being "feeble-minded. He was trying to use his fondness for women's clothes and makeup for his defense. He also used his family's mental illness. His grandfather died in an asylum and a cousin and uncle were in one at the time. A Dr Robert Phillips testified that William did fit the legal definition of insanity. 

This however did not work and the Jurors found him guilty of murder. He was set to be executed. On March 31, 1925, William was hanged at the gallows in Bristol Prison by Thomas Pierrepoint.

SOURCES:
Evening Express December 13, 1925
Western Daily Press December 23, 1924
Western Daily Press February 17, 1925
Western Daily Press March 23, 1925
Bristol Post August 28, 2022


Tuesday, December 10, 2024

UNIDENTIFIED: December 11, 1957 Florida City, Florida "H. Daniels"

 On December 11, 1957, skeletal remains were found in a homeless camp located 100 feet south of Lucy Street and 11th Avenue in Florida City, Florida. There was no form of identification at the scene, but there was a laundry slip with the name "H. Daniels". According to the scene, it's believed that he had died from wood-alcohol poisoning as there were sterno cans found. It's believed he died weeks prior to discovery.


John Doe was a black male between 40 to 50-years-old. He was 5'5" and had black hair. He was wearing Dark colored pants and a khaki shirt. There were other pieces of clothing at the scene. 

SOURCES:

Saturday, November 30, 2024

Murder of Robert Allan

 On December 1, 1904, 34-year-old Robert Allan was at his home at Drumshangie Farm between Greengairs and Airdrie, Scotland with his wife and 3-week-old child. This was the first night that they did not have any servants at the farm. 

Just after they went to bed some people came up to the window and disturbed them. This irritated  Robert and he opened the door holding his double-barrelled fowling piece. He fired into the sky to scare them away. This however did not happen as the people became more roudy. He went back in put on his trousers and went back out with his gun. He would fire another shot and never be seen alive again. It's believed he had followed the men down the roadway to where the trolley had been drawn.

He would be found dead on an old pit road leading from the farm to Watstown. He was lying across a track partially on his right side with one arm underneath him. His gun was a few feet away from him resting on the embankment on the road. It was found that he had been shot in the stomach. It's believed he was shot with his own gun. 

One theory was that he had stumbled in the dark and accidentally shot himself, but his guy was found several feet away and the locks of the gun were found to be empty of cartridge cases. The other is that Robert and one of the men fought over the gun and he was shot in the struggle. That the killer moved him and his gun from their original positions. 

SOURCES:

Thursday, November 28, 2024

Suspicious Death of Martha Mansfield




Martha Mansfield was determined to become an actress at the age of 14. Her first role would happen in a play of Little Women in 1912. She would act, sing and dance in some plays, and model in photographs before being signed by Essanay Studios.

On November 29, 1923, 24-year-old Martha was working at a location in San Antonio, Texas. She was playing the role of Agatha Warren in the movie The Warrens of Virginia. Because it was based in the Civil War she was wearing a costume based on the time. Which was of hoop skirts and flimsy ruffles. 

After filming was done Martha went to her car where her chauffeur was waiting. Her skirt would burst into flames. Those around tried to save her. The chauffeur tried to take her clothes off and the leading man Wilfred Lytell threw his heavy overcoat onto her. 

Both Martha and the Chaufer were burned. Martha's body was severely burned, but her face was not because of Wilfred's jacket. The Chaufer's hands were badly burned. They would be taken to the hospital. However the following day Martha would die. It was from burns of all extremities, general toxemia, and suppression of urine. 

It's unknown what exactly happened. It was known that a match was the culprit of the fire, but it was unknown who had done it. Some witnesses stated that they saw the match go through the window. Others theorized that Martha was trying to smoke and accidentally dropped the match. However, her mother stated that she didn't smoke and that it in fact made it uncomfortable. 


SOURCES:
Pensacola News Journal December 1, 1923
News 4 San Antonio Nevember 30, 2020

Thursday, November 21, 2024

INFANTICIDE: November 22, 1957, Dublin Virginia Baby John Does



On November 22, 1957, the bodies of two infant boys were found in a box recently buried in an unmarked grave near a cemetery in Dublin, Virginia. It is not stated how the boys had died or when they died. It's possible that the two were twins.

The baby John Does were both African American Infants. The boys were 18 inches long and one was 5 lbs and the other was 4 lbs.

SOURCES:
NamUs Boy 1
NamUs Boy 2

Monday, November 18, 2024

Murder of Old Aquito and Squaw

 There is little information in this case. On November 18, 1686, a man named Jonathan Neponet would be executed at the Gallows in Boston, Massachusetts. He was executed for the murders of a Native American couple known as Old Aquito and Squaw.

SOURCES:

Legal Executions in New England Page 56

Thursday, November 14, 2024

November, 15, 1924 Yuma, Arizona John Doe

On November 15, 1924, a man would die from Suffocating from Cotton Seed it's not listed if it was accidental or not.  He was buried at the Yuma Pioneer Cemetery in Yuma.

John Doe is a white male around 45-years-old.

SOURCES:

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Murder of Jesa "Toni" Rose Corazza


In 1934, 17-year-old Jesa "Toni" Corazza was a dancer and lived on Randor St in the Chelsea area of London, England. She acquired certain fame in theaters and even had a part in one or two films. By October she would become pregnant and did not want to keep it. At this time abortion was illegal in England and would seek help and have one illegally. On October 28, 1934, Toni would miscarry and be sent to St. Luke Hospital in London, England. 

Toni denied that she had an abortion and claimed that she fell dancing, but there was evidence of an instrument used by someone accustomed to this type of work. It was also found that she was taking pills to induce a miscarriage and they were hidden inside a matchbook inside her purse.
 
Toni would develop acute blood poisoning due to the instrument used in the surgery. She would not admit to either who the father was or who had given her the abortion. She would even say that she may have slipped on accident while dancing as an excuse for her condition. She passed away on November 13th due to heart failure caused by the blood poisoning. 

Her mother said that she didn't know if anyone had interfered with her daughter. She stated that Toni tried to tell her something as she was dying, but she couldn't be understood. 

A jury would find a verdict of murder against some person or persons unknown was returned.

SOURCES:
Evening Standard November 19, 1934
Evening Standard November 26, 1934

Thursday, November 7, 2024

UNIDENTIFIED: November 8, 1981, Danville, Virginia John Doe

 November 8, 1981, the skeletal remains were found scattered in an old dumpsite near Danville, Virginia. It's believed that he had died likely in 1959.

John Doe was a Black male and was between 40 to 60 years old. He was 5'2" to 5'7". He was wearing a large dark-colored cotton T-shirt.

SOURCES:

Saturday, November 2, 2024

UNIDENTIFIED: November 3, 1924 Youngwood, Pennsylvania John Doe

On November 3, 1924, a skeleton of a man was found by hunters in Youngwood, Pennsylvania.There is little information in this case. 

SOURCES: 

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

UNIDENTIFIED: October 30, 2019 Concord, New Hampshire Jane Doe

 In 2019 a woman came to the the New Hampshire State Police and handed over a human cranium. She told them that her husband had found the partial skull in the 1930s in a pond in Concord. It was found that the skull belonged to a teenage girl between 15 and 18 years old. Bomb Pulse Testing on the skull showed that she did die before 1942.

Jane Doe was between 15 and 18 years old. 

SOURCES:

Thursday, October 24, 2024

CRYPTIDS: Trunko

 

One of four known photographs of the Trunko carcass, taken by A. C. Jones


On December 27, 1924, an article titled "Fish like Polar Bear" was published in the London's Daily Mail. On October 25, 1924, an animal was spotted in Margate, South Africa. first seen battling two killer whales for 3 hours. it reportedly lifted itself out of the feet 20 ft and used its tail to fight. The creature would lose the fight and wash up on Margate Beach. Where it lay there for 10 days. 

The creature was given the name Trunko . It appeared to have long white fur and an elephant trunk and a lobster-like tail. The trunk was said to be attached directly to the torso and no head was noticeable. It was measured to be 14 m (47ft)  in length and 3m (10ft), and the trunk was 1.5 m (5ft) and the diameter was 36cm (14in). It was devoid of blood.

Though it's unknown what the creature was it's now believed that it may have been a washed-up whale carcass. Because the locals or those who've seen it were ignorant of how animal carcasses can decompose. It's possible that it was a globster which made it look as if it has hair.

SOURCES:

Wednesday, October 23, 2024

UNIDENTIFIED: October 24, 1958, Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin John Doe

On October 24, 1958, teenagers would find the cranium of a man resting on the ground while hunting near Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin. It was noted to be sitting in an area of dirt devoid of plant growth and leaves, although the surrounding area had thick ground cover of grass, foliage, and leaf litter.

John Doe was believed to be 23 to 57 years old. 

SOURCES:

Saturday, October 19, 2024

UNIDENTFIED: October 1767 South Shields Doe

 In October of 1767, a drowned Person was found in or near South Shields, England. They would be buried on October 20th in St. Hilda's Church. The gender of the victim is unstated.

SOURCES:
Find a Grave

Friday, October 18, 2024

Murder of Marshal William E. Gibbson


In 1882 Irish-born man 51/52 year-old Willam E. Gibson was a town Marshal for Horicon, Wisconsin. On October 19, 1882, he arrested a stranger for disorderly conduct. The man since he arrived spent most of his time drinking at the saloon and was drunk when arrested. The man was only in town for a couple of days and was believed to be a tramp.  William being a little careless and thinking the man only had one weapon did not check the other pocket.  

The man did not resist or fight to go to jail. When William let go of the man to unlock the door to the cell the man would pull a bulldog a 40-caliber revolver from his left pocket and shoot the him. He would flee from his crime.

It had taken around an hour before anyone knew that William had been shot. At the same time, there was a major fire at the Brunt & Davis Co. factory. The village's attention was focused on the fire which allowed the unknown man to flee the area.

The man had been in town for a day or two there were no clear descriptions of him. Even though there was a wide search for him he wasn't found. He had likely stolen a horse from the stables of Fred Puls about two miles east outside of Horicon and fled. If he was he would have been a victim of a lynching. It was believed that he may have been wanted for a bigger crime than public drunkness and that was why he shot Marshal Gibson.

The killer was never caught for this murder. 

SOURCES:
Find a Grave
Green Bay Press-Gazette October 21, 1882
The Eau Claire News October 29, 1882

Saturday, October 12, 2024

October 13, 1924 Corry Pennsylvania John Doe

On October 13, 1924, a man was found having a medical emergency in Corry, Pennsylvania. He would die at 8 pm and it's unknown what had caused his death.

John Doe was a white male between 45 to 50 years old.

SOURCES:
Find a Grave

Thursday, October 3, 2024

UNIDENTIFIED: October 4, 1698 London, England Jane Doe

 On October 4, 1698, the body of a girl was laid inside a church in London, England. The child was buried at the Bedlam Burial Ground. It's not stated how old the girl was or how she died. There is little information in this case. 


SOURCES:

Monday, September 16, 2024

UNIDENTIFIED: September 17, 1779 Liverpool, England

 On September 17, 1779, an unknown man was buried in Liverpool, England. He had drowned to death. There is little information in this case. 

SOURCES:

Find a Grave

Tuesday, September 10, 2024

UNIDENTIFIED: September 11, 1880 Springfield, Missouri John Doe

 On September 11, 1880, an Unknown Man died of heart disease in or close to Springfield, Missouri. There is little information in this case. 

SOURCES:

Sunday, September 8, 2024

UNIDENTIFIED: September 9, 1818, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania John Doe

  On September 9, 1818, a man died or was found dead in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. There is little information in this case. 

John Doe is a black male around 50-years-old.

SOURCES:

Wednesday, September 4, 2024

Murder of Flora Alice Fisher

 On July 24, 1904, 27-year-old Flora Fisher complained of her insides hurting. The next day she would get a consultation from 3 doctors. Flora stated that she didn't know what caused her illness. 

On September 5, 1904,  Flora was taken to Westminster Hospital in London, England. She would soon after die from sepsis caused by an illegal abortion. It was obvious that these were not self-inflicted and that someone had done this to her. 

Her husband was informed and it was said in newspapers that he seemed surprised. He had no idea and that he and Flora were not the type of people to do something like that. 

SOURCES:
Daily Mirror September 10, 1904
Saturday Telegraph September 24, 1904
The Sunday People September 25, 1904

Monday, September 2, 2024

Fawn Hoof Mummy

 



 
In September of 1811 a tomb for a woman was found inside Mammoth Cave in Kentucky. She was found in a little crypt with a big stone as a roof. She was in a sitting position with two decorated deer skins, and a woven woolen blanket. Her red hair was cut short, and her teeth and nails were pristine. She was 6 ft tall which was unusual for the time. There was evidence of makeup on her lips. She had a necklace made of young deer hooves, giving her the name "Fawn Hoof Mummy". She had many dressing ornaments and utensils in her tomb. She must have been cared for.

Some say that she was mummified purposely and similarly to how the Egyptians did it. It's possible that she wasn't and that it was done naturally due to the cave and the deer skins she was wrapped in. It's unknown now as her body has been lost. 

After her body was found at the time like many other historical remains it was treated as property. She had gone through many hands. The last time it was seen was shortly after the Smithsonian photographed it. Some believe that the Smithsonian still has her remains, but they were disassembled and stored.

SOURCES:
Little House of Horrors
Ancient Code

Wednesday, August 28, 2024

UNIDENTIFEID:August 29,1924 Mackinaw, Illinois John Doe

 On August 29,1924 an unknown man was found on the river bank in Mackinaw, Illinois. It's assumed he was riding the train and fell off landing in the river or on the bank.

SOURCES:

Saturday, August 24, 2024

Murder of Louisa Kidder-Staples

In 1865 23-year-old Frances Turner would marry William Kidder and live in Hythe, England. He was the father of her unborn child, Emma, and would soon find out that he had two other children. A daughter, Louisa Kidder-Staples who was around 9 years old, and a younger child. Louisa would live with the newly weds and Frances would become the epitome of an evil stepmother to the young girl.

William was not unaware of how Louisa was being treated. Corpral punishment in the home was not a rarity in the 1860's, but the way Frances treated Louisa was extremly cruel. The lively girl went to be withdrawn and sullen in the next two years. Frances would beat her not just with her hands, but anything she could get her hands on. She would neglect the girl and make her wear rags, deprived her of food, and made her sleep in the cellar with old sacks for bedding. 

It was so bad at one point their neighbor William Henniker reported William and Frances to the police. Frances would be charged with cruelty and fines. This would cause William and Frances to pay someone to act as gaurdian to Louisa. However the regular maitnance payments were not met and Louisa had to go back to that hell hole. 

Frances's jealousy and hatred for Louisa grew after Louisa's return. The abuse resumed and the couple would argur over Louisa's treatment. At least once William threw Louisa out of the home. 

On August 24, 1867 Frances would take Louisa and Emma to her parents home in New Romney. While there Frances would tell her paren' neighbor, Mrs. Evans, that she hated Louisa and intended to get rid of her. That the girl would not return to Hythe with Emma and Frances. 

On August 25th Frances parents would invite her to go on a walk. Frances would decline saying she was ill. Once they left she would tell Louisa to change into her old clothes and they would go to a nearby fair. They would begin to walk to New Romney and when they got ot Cobb's Bridge.

Frances would grab Louisa and force her into the stream. She would hold her down as Louis drowned in less than a foot of water. While this is happening William would arrive at his In-Laws home to find neither Frances or Louisa there. He would go looking around for the two. 

While William was out Frances returned alone her clothes soaked and covered in mud. William returned just after Frances and see Louisa was not with her. Frances was asked by her mother and William where Louisa was, but instead she ran upstairs to change clothes. Her father would discover that the clothes she arrived in was muddy and wet. 

Frances would say nothing about Louisa. Knowing the violence and hatred that Frances had for the girl her father and William went to the police. Constable Aspinall returned to the home and took Frances into custody for suspicion of murder. When questioned by the constable Frances would only sat that Louisa had fallen into a ditch when passing horses spooked her near Cobb's Bridge. Louisa's body would be found.

Frances would be charged with murder. She would stay in custody until her trial at the Kent Spring Assize on March 12, 1868. Many witnesses including her parents and husband testified against her. It took only 12 minutes for the jury to return wth a guilty verdict. She would be set to be executed for the murder.

She would later admit she murdered the girl, but it wasn't premeditaited. While waiting for her execution she was frequently becoming hystarical. She was only visited by William twice. They argued both visits about his relationship with her younger sister. He denied it the first visit and admitted to it the second one. She was also visited by Emma and her parents. 


On April 2, 1868 around 2,000 people, including William, came to watch her get executed at the Maidstone Gaol. Her body was left hanging for an hour before she was taken down and placed in an unmarked grave. 

SOURCES:



Friday, August 23, 2024

UNIDENTIFIED: August 24, 1724 Plaxtol, England

On August 24, 1724, a poor unknown traveling woman was buried at the Plaxtol Parish Churchyard in Plaxtol, England. 

SOURCES: 

Find a Grave

Saturday, August 17, 2024

INFANTICIDE: August 18, 1924 Albuquerque, New Mexico Baby Doe

On August 18, 1924, the body of a murdered baby was found buried in Albuquerque, New Mexico. There is little information in this case.


SOURCES:
Find a Grave

Wednesday, August 14, 2024

UNIDENTIFIED: August of 1922 Northbridge, Massachusetts

In August of 1922, the body of a man was found in Linwood Pond in Northbridge, Massachusetts. It's possible he died from an accidental drowning. There is little information on this case.

John Doe was a man "beyond middle life".

SOURCES:
Find a Grave

Monday, August 12, 2024

UNIDENTIFIED: August 12, 1823 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania John Doe

 On August 12, 1823, a man died or was found dead in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. There is little information in this case. 

John Doe is a black male around 40-years-old.

SOURCES:

Wednesday, August 7, 2024

UNIDENTIFIED: August 8, 1838 Manhattan, New York John Doe

On August 1838 an unknown man would die at the City Hospital in Manhattan, New York. He would be buried at Potter's Field Fiftieth Street. There is little information in this case.

John Doe was a man around 45-years-old.

SOURCES:

Monday, August 5, 2024

Death of Eveline Downing

On August 2, 1924, 31-year-old Eveline Downing with her mother spoke to Dr. Lade about her pregnancy. Her mother spoke, but Eveline denied it and wasn't happy about it. He then sent her to Lambeth Hospital for general peritonitis. The two did not mention any help with abortions or such to the doctor. This was also the first time he had seen her and the last one she saw him was 2 years prior. He would sign papers for her as she was a war widow. 

On August 6, 1924, Eveline died from an illegal abortion. She would die in Lambeth Hospital in London, England. She had likely gotten the abortion because war widows would lose their pension if they gave birth. The person who had performed this surgery was skilled and was likely in the medical field. It's possible that the person who did the operation was trying to help her out but unfortunately resulted in her death. This person was never discovered, or at least in this case.

SOURCES:
The Birmingham Post August 12, 1924
The Gloucester Journal August 23, 1924


Tuesday, July 30, 2024

UNIDENTIFIED: 1924 Kent County, Delaware Doe

In 1924 skeletal remains were found on the beach in Little Creek Hundred, Delaware. There is little information in this case.

SOURCES:
Find a Grave

Sunday, July 28, 2024

UNIDENTIFIED: July 29, 1818 New York, New York John Doe

On July 29, 1818, an unknown man drowned in the East River in New York City, New York.

John Doe was around 35 years old.

SOURCES:
Find a Grave

Thursday, July 25, 2024

INFANTICIDE: July 26, 1924 North Yorkshire Baby John Doe

 On July 26, 1924, the body of a newborn baby boy in a sack was found by 3 boys who were fishing in the River Ouse in North Yorkshire, England.

SOURCES:

Sunday, July 21, 2024

Murder of Martha Clark

Alice Bishop was born in 1616 not much was known about her. There are a couple of theories about her beginnings. One is that she may have come over on the Mayflower. Her parents may have been Christopher Martin and Marie Prower. Those two did not survive long enough to see the settlement of Plymouth. They died in January of 1621 which would mean she was orphaned in a new land. Another theory is that she was an indentured servant brought over in 1632. However, it's never going to be positive where her start was.

Alice was married twice. Her first marriage was to George Clark in January of 1639. She would have two daughters with him, Abagail (1641) and Martha (1644). George would also die in 1644. On December 5th Alice would marry 24-year-old Richard Bishop. The two would have a daughter, Damaris (1645). They would live in Plymouth, Massachusetts.

On July 22, 1648, Richard was away from home. Family friend 23-year-old Rachel Ramsden would drop by their home to spend time with 32-year-old Alice. At the time 4-year-old Martha was sleeping in a bed in the loft. It was a place only accessible by a ladder. Alice did not seem any different.

Alice would ask Rachel to go get some buttermilk for her from a neighbor's house. Rachel would agree to do so. Alice would give her a kettle and Rachel would leave to go get some for her. When Rachel came back to the home she saw something very alarming.

There was a puddle of blood under the loft ladder. Rachel would describe Alice as sad and dumpish. She would ask her why there was blood. Alice would only point up the ladder. Rachel climbed up the ladder and saw a horrifying sight. There was blood everywhere and even the mattress was soaked in it. It was all Martha's as she had been killed.

Rachel would flee the home and run to her parents. She would tell them of Alice's deed. Her father would then find the colonial governor and they would gather 12 men to go to the Bishop's home. Alice was in hysterics when they arrived.

The men would ascend into the loft to find Martha's body with the murder weapon next to her. She was lying on her left side. There were numerous cuts in her throat and she was stabbed in the windpipe. She was gone and there was no way to help her. It was a brutal and violent murder.

When they asked Alice why she murdered her daughter she had no idea. She stated that she did not remember doing that she had no answer for them. That she was sorry for killing her daughter.

On October 4th the trial for the murder would begin. Bradford was in attendance along with all General Assistant and a jury of twelve colony men. Alice would be found guilty of the murder and would be set to hang.

She was the fifth person hanged in the Plymouth Colony and the first woman.

We will never know why Alice Bishop killed her daughter Martha, and why she did it in such a ferocious manner. It's never stated where the other children were, but why did she only kill Martha.

SOURCES:
Murderpedia

Thursday, July 18, 2024

UNIDENTIFIED: July 19, 1924 Norton Woods, England John Doe

On or before July 19, 1924, the body of a man was found in Norton Woods, England. He would be buried at Sheffield General Cemetary. 

SOURCES:

Tuesday, July 16, 2024

Murder of Ada Susans

 On July 20,1917. 38-year-old Ada Susans would be admitted to St Thomas Hospital in London, England. She was admitted as an abdominal case, but it was found that she had an illegal operation She would die from it at 11:30 that night. 

Ada Susans died from an illegal operation. It's not stated what kind, but it may have been an illegal abortion. She had died from an unknown instrument used illegally by an unknown person or persons. 

SOURCES:

Saturday, July 13, 2024

UNIDENTIFIED: July 14 1950 Braidwood, Illinois John Doe

 On July 14, 1950, the body of a man was found in an abandoned strip mine pit between I-55 (Route 66 at the time) and Route 113 in Braidwood, Illinois. The area was a strip mine and farm. He had been dead around 4 to 5 weeks.

John Doe is a white man pre-50. He's 5'8" to 5'10" and 175 to 180 lbs. He had brown hair that was thinning on top. He had a tattoo on his left arm. 

SOURCES;

Thursday, July 11, 2024

UNIDENTIFIED: July 12, 1924 Covington, Kentucky Jane Doe

 On July 12, 1924, the body of a woman was found on a bluff overlooking the Ohio River in Covington, Kentucky. Her body showed she had struggled with her killer. Her clothes seemed to have also torn due to the struggle. She was then shot twice in the right side of her head. There was no evidence that she was killed there and may have been killed elsewhere and dumped there. It was believed she died around a week before. 

It's possible that she was killed in Cincinnati, Ohio and her body was dumped where it was found. 

Jane Doe was a woman between 30 and 40 years old. She was 5'6". She had long dark hair with a curl to it. She was wearing a tan whipcord dress made of good material, an orange blossom gold wedding ring of late design, earrings, a long black string of beads, and a cheap ring. She was wearing no shoes


SOURCES:
Find a Grave

Monday, July 8, 2024

UNIDENTIFIED: July 9, 1924 Cowlitz County, Washington John Doe

July 9, 1924, the remains of a man were found on Walker Island in the Columbia River in Cowlitz County, Washington by a fisherman. It was believed that he likely drowned around a year before.

SOURCES:
Find a Grave
The News Tribune July 9, 1924

Sunday, July 7, 2024

UNIDENTIFIED: July 8, 1957 Houston Texas E.J.C. Doe

On July 8, 1957, the body of a man was found in Buffalo Bayou in Houston, Texas. He was found face floating face down on the south bank and had been dead for around 3 days.

John Doe is a white male between 25 to 40 years old. He was 5'6' and 142 lbs. He had brown to black hair. He was wearing a green and brown striped long-sleeve shirt with a pocket on the left upper chest, khaki pants, a pair of white cotton socks, 9A brown shoes with a strap and buckle, a brown woven, cowboy-type belt buckle, and two combs in his pocket. He was wearing dentures that contained a serial number and the notation of "EJC 810-56". EJC is possibly a set of initials, while the numbers indicate the date of August 10, 1956

SOURCES:
NamUs
Doe Network

Saturday, July 6, 2024

Uyan and Dina

 

Photo by Vera Salnitskaya/Siberian Times

In the summer of 2015, the mummified remains of two lion cubs were found in the Edoma permafrost deposits in Yakutia, Russia in the Uyandina River. The two cubs were named Uyan and Dina after the river.

The cubs were well preserved they still had their soft tissue, fur, ears, and whiskers intact. Uyan was better preserved than Dina.  It was found that the two were cave lions spelaea (Goldfuss). The two lived and died Middle and Late Pleistocene period on the Eurasian continent between 370,000 and 10,000 years ago and were at least 25,000 to 55,000 years old. This species went extinct around 10,000 BC.

They were fairly young as their eyes were still not open and their baby teeth were still not coming in. It was assumed that they were 1 or 2 weeks old, but after looking in their stomach contents it was believed that they were closer to one or two days old. (some sources state that it was estimated that they were  1 or 2 months old but actually 1 to 2 weeks old). There was no milk in their stomach, but there was sediment combined with them having a crushed look to them it was believed that the den they were in collapsed and killed them. It's unknown what happened to the mother or why she did not feed them after their birth. She may have died before doing so or maybe for some other reason was unable to feed her cubs. 

Even though the two were greatly preserved we are still unable to tell what an adult version of the cubs would have been. It's possible that the adult version would not look similar to the cub version of the animal. 

SOURCES:

Thursday, July 4, 2024

UNIDENTIFIED: July 5, 1949 St. Charles County, Missouri Jane Doe

 On July 5, 1949, the body of a woman was found 1/4 mile north of St. Charles, Missouri in the Missouri River. There is little information in this case. 

Jane Doe was around 50-years-old. 

SOURCES:

Sunday, June 30, 2024

Murder of Jane Parkinson

By 1781 Jane Parkinson and Mathew Parkinson were married. She would become pregnant by July and did not want to keep it. It was not stated if Mathew knew of the pregnancy or the reasons for wanting the termination. It was illegal at the time and abortions were sometimes deadly to those who sought it. 

 On July 1st She would go to midwife Margaret Tinkler for an abortion in or near Durham, England. Margaret would only admit to giving advice. Two pieces of wood were trusted into Jane's privates and womb. This would cause deadly punctures for the woman.  Jane being in terrible pain and likely knowing she was dying would tell authorities that it was Margaret who had performed the deadly abortion. Jane would die from her injuries on July 23rd.

Margaret would maintain that she did not perform any abortions. That she only told Jane how to perform one. Margaret would be taken to trial in early August for murder. She would be found guilty at trial and set for execution. She would claim that she was 3 months pregnant to help extend her life. 

On November 20th Margaret was hanged at a place called whitesmocks in Durham. Her body would be autopsied. It was found that she was not pregnant and that she had swallowed two double-wire hair pins in days before her execution. It's believed she did this in an attempt to kill herself. 

Historical Division by Moses Aaron Richardson Page 270
The Bath Journal December 1781

Saturday, June 29, 2024

The Sacrifice of Princess Inikpi

Statue of Princess Inikpi

Between 1515 and 1516 there was a war called The Igala–Benin War. It was a short conflict between the Igala Kingdom and the Kingdom of Benin in what is now Nigeria. For the Iglas people, their land seemed to be in trouble. It's said that streams of water were poisonous and the people were starving. All due to the Beni's

Ayegbu Oma Idoko, the Atta of the Igala kingdom would consult an oracle for help with their problems. However, the oracle would give him devastating news. His beloved daughter Princess Inikpi had to be buried alive for there to be victory. This would devastate him.

For seven days he would mourn the idea of either losing his daughter or losing his people. He would refuse to eat or drink and was in a depressed state. Inikpi seeing her father this way worried her. She would ask him what was wrong and in turn, he refused to talk. This is until the eighth day when he admits in tears to Inikpi and tells her of the oracle's prediction.

Surprisingly Princess Inikpi would take the news well. She loved her father and loved her people just as much as she was loved. She would not go against fate and volunteered for it. She had either gone to the bank of River Niger at Idah or market square. She and nine virgin slaves would be buried alive. The slaves buried with her were to help her on the other side.

It's said that Inikpi's sacrifice did protect her people. The Bini armies came to attack, but they saw the town in flames and retreated. They saw no point in attacking a town on fire and being destroyed already. It was said that the blood of the princess was what deceived them.
Princess Inkpi's sacrifice still stands as an important event. To this day she is still seen as a hero who saved her people from slaughter. A statue of the princess stands at “Ega” in Idah. Today many of the people in Idah are named in her honor.

SOURCES:
Wikipedia (The Igala–Benin War)
Wikipedia ( Princess Inikpi)
The Gaurdian July 28, 2019
Pulse October 26, 2022

Wednesday, June 26, 2024

UNIDENTIFIED: 1924 Oneida township, Pennsylvania John Doe

The skeletal remains believed to belong to a man were found in a wooded area in Oneida township, Pennsylvania. Dates aren't listed and there is little information in this case. 

SOURCES:

Monday, June 24, 2024

Murder of Catherine Mary Richards




In 1878 20-year-old Myron Buel worked on William Richard's farm in Plainfield, New York. Myron would supposedly fall in love with William's daughter, 14-year-old Catherine. He would even ask Catherine to marry him and she refused him. This would change his motivation he would then begin to make improper lewd suggestions and comments toward her. He had also begun to grope the girl.

This would stress and scare Catherine out so much that he would drive her to tears. She did not appreciate or want his advances. Catherine did not tell her parents but eventually threatened Myron that she would if he didn't stop. She however did tell her aunt who had informed her father. This led to his discharge, but he was allowed back after making a promise to not bother Catherine. 

On June 25, 1878, Myron and another worker, Daniel Bowen, were working in the hops field. At one point Myron would tell Daniel that his rubber boots were getting too hot and wanted to change them. Instead of changing his boots he would go and find Catherine.

Catherine was in the cheese house playing with her kittens. Knowing this he let out a calf planning to ask her to help him. He knew she would help him and he was going to trap her in the barn. When they were both inside he shut the door quickly and wrapped a rope around the girl's throat. He would then take a milking stool and hit her in the face with it. 

She was dead and he would sexually assault her. He would later describe it as "I then ravished her. She was dead but warm when I committed the crime.” He also stated that the motive was because he was in love with her and was mad and jealous she did not love him back. 

Myron would come back after 45 minutes. Daniel wondered about what took so long and asked him why. Myron would tell him that he had to put away a loose horse. 

At 5 pm 8-year-old Maggie, Catherine's younger sister, came home from school. Maggie would help prepare dinner and when it was done she would go to the hop field and blow the supper horn. Maggie would ask them where Catherine was. The men would tell her that they did not see her. They headed towards the barn to put their tools up.

They would find a bull that was loose behind the cheese house. The plan was that Daniel would hold the barn door open and Myron chase the bull in. However, when Daniel opened the door inside the bull's stall was Catherine's body. 

She had a large wound on her right cheek and her face was bruised. Daniel would stop the plan and show Myron the body.

When Myron went in he would exclaim “Oh, my stars! Oh, my Stars!”. 

At the time Catherine's sister, Maggie, and a housekeeper were the only two other people on the farm. Their parents and 13-year-old brother were not home and they were 14 miles away. The two would inform them of Catherine's death. When Maggie asked why and how Myron would respond that the bull must have gotten her. 

Myron would be the one to bring his victim into the house. All while repeatedly saying that it must have been a bull. It made sense she had a bruise on her face and bulls are not known to be the most gentle of animals. 

Maynor would then travel to where the mother and brother were. He would give them the news that Catherine had been killed by a bull. This tragedy would devastate her family. 

The coroner started with this in thought until he took a look at the body. A bull had not killed the young teenager. She had been sexually assaulted, strangled, and hit in the face with a blunt object. Myron would become suspect number one and charged with murder.  On one of her shoulders was a bruise from a thumbnail digging in, a bruise on her left groin, and her throat was bruised from the rope. No bull could have created these wounds.

On February 17, 1879, the trial would begin and lasted 10 days. The courtroom was crowded with spectators every day. He was referred to as the Boy Murderer despite him being an adult. He would maintain his innocence throughout the trial. During the trial, the unwanted advances on Cathrine and a disturbing conversation with Daniel would be brought up. Daniel would state that Myron had told him that the best way to outrage a girl is by using a strap and strangling her to keep her from screaming. Which was what happened in this case. 

 Following the arguments, the judge would inform the jury for an hour and a half. After four hours the jury came back with a guilty verdict. Myron's lawyer tried to move for a new trial because the jury was not informed of the several degrees of manslaughter. This was denied and he was set to be executed. 

Myron's lawyer argued with the Court of Appeals. This did not grant a new trial, but instead of being executed in April, he was set to be executed on November 14th. They would also petition the Governor for a reprieve, but it was rejected. 

Three days before his execution Myron got a conscious and admitted to what he did to the girl. That he loved her and that was why he killed her. He would confess this to his spiritual advisors and counsel. The scaffold that would bring him death was built under his window. He was asked if he wanted to move places, but he told them "Do as you like; I don't care". 

On November 14th Myron would go to sleep at 1 am. He would then wake up at 6 am. It was said that he seemed well-rested. He would then get visited by his parents and siblings and they said their goodbyes. He would ask his mother to look to the Savior. He seemed to be acting strong for his family. Around 10:36 he was brought to the scaffold. He gave no last words and was hanged around 10:40. He would die and stay hanged for 23 minutes. 

His body was handed over to his family. He would be buried with his brother who died right after the trial. 
SOURCES:
Boston Post February 28, 1879
The Boston Globe November 14, 1879
New York Daily Herald November 15, 1879

Monday, June 17, 2024

June 18, 1979 Baltimore, Maryland (New Jersey) John Doe

On June 18, 1979, the remains of a man were found in a pump of a dry dock in Baltimore, Maryland. The dry dock was towed from New Jersey to Baltimore in the late 1950s. This would estimate that the man had died between 1929 and 1959.

John Doe was likely white between 40 to 65 years old. He was 5'11" with a muscular robust build. He had arthritis in his knees and had mouth stress suggestive of a mind instrument player or glass blower. Two china buttons were found with the body. The buttons were likely used on suspenders and were a style of WWII. 

SOURCES:

Saturday, June 15, 2024

UNCLAIMED: Charles Watson

 On June 16, 1941, Charles Watson would either die or his body was found in Ellensburg, Washington. He is an unclaimed person meaning that he was not claimed by family. There is little information in this case.

Charles was a white male.

SOURCES:
NamUs

Friday, June 14, 2024

GHOSTS: Watercress Lady


Created in Bing Create
Pluckley, England is home to many hauntings. One of which is of a woman called the Watercress Lady. In the early 1900's likely the 1920's there was a gypsy woman who was living in Pluckley. Now Gypsies at the time were traveling nomads from either Ireland or Eastern Europeans living in wagons and at their stops would either earn money from trading things or working on local farms. This woman made a living gathering watercress and selling it to the villagers.

The old woman was known as an eccentric but harmless person. She was known for smoking her clay pipe and known to enjoy gin from her battered old flask. After the sun would set she would go to the crossroads bridge. She would sit on the walls enjoying the night air smoking her pipe and drinking her gin.

However one unfortunate night she fell asleep while doing so. She would spill her flask on herself and the pipe would fall and light her up. It was said that no one heard her screams. The next day she would be found as a pile of ashes with her flask and pipe nearby. Letting people know it was the Watercress Lady and she had a tragic end.

Even though the Watercress Lady's screams were not heard the night she died it was afterward. Her ghost would be seen many times after her death reliving her death. She would be covered in flames and her heartbreaking screams could be heard. Slowly however she stopped being a screaming ball of fire to a faint pink glow hovering over the place she burned to death.

SOURCES:
London Walking Tours

Thursday, June 13, 2024

UNIDENTIFIED: June 1858 London, England Baby John Doe

 In June 1858, an unknown baby boy was found on Hardwick St in London, England. The boy was not a newborn and was around 6 months old making his birth around or in December. It's not stated if his death was murder or not. He was buried at the  City of London Cemetery on June 14, 1858.

SOURCES:

Monday, June 10, 2024

UNIDENTIFIED:June 11, 1952 Tama County, Iowa Baby John Doe

 On June 11, 1952, road construction was happening along the route of U.S. Highway 30, about four miles west of Tama, Iowa. A construction worker discovered a box 350 feet east of the Raven Creek bridge on the south side of the roadway. The box was a Wilson Packing Company box marked “chili.” and was wrapped with a cord.

The worker would open the box to find something horrifying. Inside the box were two packages wrapped with newspapers and tea towels. Inside the packages was the horrifying sight of the body of a baby boy. The other package was the afterbirth. It was found that the baby had blunt force trauma to the head and the baby was alive for 2 and a half to 3 hours.

They were the April 17 and May 8 issues of The Marshalltown Times-Republican. The newspapers had no mailing address attached, but two “stars” were discovered in the newspapers. This indicated they had been delivered on a Marshalltown city route. One tea towel had the embroidery of a lamb in one corner and the other had the numeral 49 in black.

John Doe was a white male newborn. He was fully developed. He weighed 8 lbs and had blonde hair.

SOURCES:
Iowa Cold Cases

Sunday, June 9, 2024

Murder of Georgiana, William, Cary, Harriet, Henry, and George Brough

Queen Victoria ruled Great Britain for 63 years. For all nine of her children, that she had in 17 years, she had wet nurses for each one. On November 9, 1941, future King Edward VII was born, and by the bedside was his wet nurse, Mary Ann Brough.

She would be dismissed soon after because she did not seem to follow instructions and did not seem to be able to provide proper nutrients for the future king. Even though she was dismissed no one would have known that she would have killed her own children 13 years later. 

Mary was married to her husband George. He worked for the Royal family just as his father before him had. Their family lived in Esher, England. They had 7 children together,19-year-old Mary, 11-year-old Georgiana (Georgy), 8-year-old William, 7-year-old Cary, 4-year-old twins Harriet and Henry, and 2-year-old George, and an unnamed child.
 
In 1854 he would suspect her of an affair as she would go out often. He would hire a private detective to follow his wife. On May 29th she would be seen meeting another man at the tavern The two would also be seen entering a questionable house. George would accuse her of cheating. Feeling betrayed by the woman he loved he left on June 6th. He also told her that he was going to come back for the children and take them away from her.  He would refuse to talk or communicate with her. 

On the night of June 9th Mary was in a bad place. She would put the children to bed and try to go to sleep in a chair. Her oldest daughter would ask her to go to sleep in bed around 9 pm. She would go to bed. The children would ask her to bring them barley water up until midnight. 

Mary would look for a candle though she had one lit by the chair. She said there was a black cloud above her. She could not see, however. She then would think about slitting her own throat and would search in the dark for her husband's razor. She would find his keys and then find his razor. 

With the razor, she would go to her daughter Georgy and slit her throat without looking at her. There was no resistance. She would then go to Cary and do the same. The next victim was Henry and he would say "Don't mother" and she would tell him "I must" before slitting his throat. She would move onto Bill turn him over and do the same. He never woke up. Harriet and George were the last ones and there was no resistance. Harriet however struggled the most as she died. Mary would then slit her own throat. 

She said that she lay there for a long time and then went to get a drink. She said that the black cloud was gone. It then hit her on what she did so she placed something bloody in the window because she could not call out to anyone. She then undid the bolt to the front door.

On the morning of June 10th two men, Mager and Peasley, were walking past the Brough home and spotted something shocking. There was a blood-soaked pillow on the second-story back window sill. The two men would notify neighbors of there being possible trouble at the home. They would first try to ring the doorbell, but no one answered. The landlady would come and do the same, but more urgently. 

Mary would then come up to a window and wave to them with a towel. One of the men would scale the wall and let the others in. They would come up to the house. Mary would not let them in as the door was locked. The man would see a ladder and climb through the window with the bloody pillowcase. 

Mary would come up to the top of the stairs to the man's sight and see her more clearly. She was a mess covered in blood. When she turned to him he saw that there was a wound on her throat. He went back down the ladder and someone went to get the doctor. 

John Crockford was in his garden when this happened. he spotted the commotion and they explained to him what had happened. He would also climb up the ladder and would go into the room of the bloody pillow. 

Mary was lying on her side in the room. In one of the beds was one of the children. The house was a bloody mess. He would then make his way to the front door to unlock it. Passing one of the rooms he would see two dead at the end of a bed. He would notice that there was a pair of bloody boots and stockings under a table by the door. The lock and door handle also was covered in blood. He would leave the house and inform them that the children were dead.

 Mary was still alive and bleeding out. She would be saved from her attempted suicide. 

19-year-old Mary and her father would then see the children at their funeral. They were both extremely saddened by the tragedy. Mary would have been another victim if she had been in the home that night. Mary Sr would will all of her items to her remaining child.

While recovering she would be charged with murder. On August 8th she would go to the Surrey Assizes. She would admit that she did not want her children taken away from her. She would use a defense of insanity and the jury agreed with this as they returned with a verdict of not guilty on the grounds of insanity. 

She would be ordered to be detained at her Majesty's Pleasure. 


SOURCES:
Murderpedia
Ranker
The Halifax Courier and Guardian August 12, 1854
The Sun April 24, 2018

Tuesday, June 4, 2024

MISSING: Mary Belle "Mary Beth" Henley

 

On June 5, 1951, 25-year-old Mary Belle Henley was last seen in Witchita, Kansas. There is little information in this case. She May go by Mary Beth.

Mary is a white female and was 25-years-old at the time. She's 5'8" to 5'9" and 125lbs to 135lbs. She has brown hair and brown eyes. She has a mole on her chin.

SOURCES:
NamUs

Saturday, June 1, 2024

680 to 780 Hereford, England Man

 In late 2016 and early 2017, Archeological work by Headland Archeology's Midlands and West Office was done in Hereford, England in the College Cloisters beside Hereford Cathedral. They were trying to make improvements to the building and facilities. 

During this time they were able to excavate three skeletal remains. These three were radiocarbon dated to the 7th and 8th centuries. This was an interesting find as out of all 2456 burials excavated only one other person was found to be from the same time period.  They were found at a depth of around two meters within an area formerly occupied by the 15th-century Custos Lodge.

It was found that the three skeletons were of one male, one female, and one juvenile whose gender was unknown. I could not find information about the child and female, but the male had died a brutal death. 

The man was between 35 to 46 years old. He had lived and died between 680 and 780 AD. He had been stabbed at least 4 to 5 times with two of them being fatal on their own. However one of the wounds, a possible cut, on his elbow had traces of healing, unlike the rest. This meant this wound was older than the rest and was not from the time he died. 

His attacker used a narrow, and very sharp blade to attack the man. They stabbed him at a downward angle and was possibly left-handed as the wounds were on the left side. Two of the wounds would have been deadly, but if he had somehow survived he would have been paralyzed. 

The fatal wounds were stab wounds between the 8th and 9th ribs that would have punctured the spleen, stomach, or lungs. The second fatal wound was that the skull was hit with such a powerful blow from an edged weapon that the blade would have entered the brain. The lesser injury was on his thumb. 

At this period at the beginning of the 8th century, the Welsh and English were in conflict. In 743 the kings of Mercia and Wessex teamed up together against the Welsh. This would cause violent skirmishes and battles at the time. There was one battle in 760 AD this was the battle of Hereford. It's possible that this man was a casualty of this battle. This may be why he seemed to have a healed stab wound.


SOURCES:

Friday, May 31, 2024

UNIDENTIFIED: June 1, 1924 Bronx, New York John Doe

 On June 1, 1924, a deckhand fell overboard a boat and drowned in or near Bronx, New York. The location is unknown or unstated. He is buried at Hart Island in the Bronx, New York.

John Doe is a man around 32-years-old.

SOURCES:

Thursday, May 30, 2024

UNIDENTIFIED: May 31, 1994 Baldy Mesa, California John Doe

 On May 31, 1994, a skull (no mandible) was found by investigators during a drug search in Baldy Mesa, California. The skull was found in a cardboard box beneath a bed. It's suspected that the skull is a souvenir skull or possibly a museum or teaching specimen. There seemed to be a bullet hole on the right posterior parietal with a possible exit through the left orbit. Meaning it's possible that they are a murder victim, suicide victim, or casualty of war. Victim could have been dead for up to a 100 years. 


John Doe is a man of possible mixed race (not specified) and was between 19 to 70 years old. 

SOURCES:

Thursday, May 23, 2024

The Bernuthsfeld Man

 




On May 24, 1907 peat cutters would discover human remains in the Hogehahn bog in Lower Saxony, Germany. It was found that the body belonged to a man who lived and died between A.D 660 and 870. He was a medium-sized man between 30 and 60-year-old.At one point he experienced some health or nutritional crises during growth. It was evident in Harris lines on the long bones. He had suffered from osteoarthritis in his joints, had a well-healed fracture, his spine had a fused vertebra caused by inflammatory disease, suffered from sinus infections, and scans showed he had cancer.   It's unstated or unknown how the man died, but it's not believed to have been unnatural. He had no signs of violence and believed his cancer may have been what killed him.

The body was wrapped in several garments. One garment was a tunic with sleeves made from 43 pieces of textile and two long-leg wrappings. The tunic was made with 20 different fabrics with 9 different weaving patterns. A sheath and a 6-inch knife were also found with the body. It's suspected that the sheath may have held the knife. 

SOURCES: