Lady Bluebeard A century-old mystery: Did serial killer fake her death?

[Pharlap]

Through DNA analysis, Indiana forensic anthropologists hope to determine if 'Lady Bluebeard' really died in fire on her farm


http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2008-02/35514190.jpg



Interesting.....

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-murderfarmfeb12,0,1821181.story

[meggilyweggily]

I am unconvinced, frankly. Does anyone remember how Patricia Cornwell said she'd identified Jack the Ripper from DNA on the envelope flaps of letters? Well the problem is that back during that time period, a lot of people did not lick their own envelopes. They used a damp sponge or got others to lick their envelopes for them. Why don't they test the DNA of Belle's children as well? That would be a more reliable source.

[Pharlap]

Well the problem is that back during that time period, a lot of people did not lick their own envelopes. They used a damp sponge or got others to lick their envelopes for them. Why don't they test the DNA of Belle's children as well? That would be a more reliable source.

Your right about the damp sponge, however some did lick their envelopes...

My one grandmother came over to the states in 1912, at the age of 22, granddad in 1910, at the age of 30.
Boy the stories she could tell...

I agree with testing the Belle's children too.

[Cambria]

Here's the Crime Library story on Belle Gunness.

http://www.crimelibrary.com/serial_killers/history/gunness/index_1.html

[gaia227]

I have never heard of this woman. Very interesting. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to hear she faked her death. Obviously finding a look alike, killing her and beheading her wouldn't be a big deal to this woman nor would killing two of her own children. How did the authorities explain the body being decapitated and full of strychine? Not to mention the fact she bought kerosene and made out a will the day before - come on! Could it be any more obvious what she was up to? Hopefully the forensics will come up with something and we will know for sure if the body was her or not.
This woman is the definition of a sociopath.

[Cambria]

I first became aware of her through the Crime Library story a couple years ago. After reading that, I believed she faked her own death. Any person who can kill so "comfortably", especially children, is certainly capable of masterminding her own disappearance. I always believed she was Esther Carlson, who they said looked like Belle. As it says in the Tribune article and the Crime Library story, she died in 1931 in Los Angeles while awaiting trial in the poisoning death of a wealthy man. It also said that some La Porte, Indiana residents traveled to LA and thought that Esther Carlson was really Belle. I will be very surprised if DNA shows that the body is Belle Gunness.

[Pharlap]

It's a fascinating case, which I got from the Chicago Tribune cold cases.
Back then(even up to the 1955) it was the wild, wild west.
I can't imagine anyone finding out who did what, when and where.
They had nothing but word of mouth, gut instinct and substandard tactics on viewing cases.
Where is Sherlock homes when you need him....
http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/3/3_2_107.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNfox000)

[Pharlap]

bump......

[AmandaBrown23]

I cant wait to see how this comes out, I bet you its not her.