Finding decomposed bodies was a regular occurrence in the past. In fact, if you would do a search on “decomposed body” in the newspaper archives, you will discover that one was found nearly every day of the week.
1. Found in Field
Most decomposed body discoveries were reported in three sentences, or less. For example in 1915, “Badly decomposed body of man found in field. Nothing to identify body. Foul play suspected.” Chances of learning more about the case are close to zero, as most of these cases were never solved unless the murderer confessed his deeds to someone who would turn him in to the authorities. [1]
2. Buried Under Bed Clothes
A rather gruesome discovery was made inside a rooming house in Youngstown, Ohio, back in 1914. The body of a man was found decomposing under a pile of bed clothes. A bloody axe was found near the body. The victim could not be identified. [2]
3. Identification Out of the Question
In 1904, the body of a man in an advanced state of decomposition was found in Dog Canon, New Mexico. The body had three bullet holes in the head. Near it was found a tea cup, a saucer, frying pan, some bedding, and $2.20 in change. The man was obviously homeless, but no identification could be found on or near the body. Detectives doubted they would ever discover the identity of the murdered man. [3]
4. They Smelled Him From Outside
When Mr. Klein’s children came by for a visit in the wilds of North Dakota, 1908, they had to walk past the neighbor’s homestead. However, a terrible smell seemed to be coming from the shack and the neighbor’s kids decided to look in the window. There they saw the very decomposed body of Mr. Laird, an Englishman who lived alone.
According to a newspaper report:
“The body, mice eaten and filled with maggots, was found fully undressed and lying in bed, with the bed clothes in very good order, indicating that Laird died without a struggle, but owing to the very badly decomposed condition no very close examination was made.” [4]
5. Appeared to be a Murder
Not wanting to jump to conclusions, newspapers reported that a decomposed body of a woman was found tied up in a trunk and that the husband was being searched for because it “might” be a case of murder.
Mrs. Hammond was found inside her New York home in 1905. According to the details:
“…was found wedged in a trunk in a second story room in her home. The trunk stood in the fireplace and the body within was heavily sprinkled with chloride of lime. The disinfectant was strewn thickly about the three rooms comprising the flat and the cover of the trunk was propped open with the evident idea of having the odors of decomposition escape up the fireplace.” [5]
6. Dismissed as a Prank
In 1912, it was reported out of St. Louis that the nude, decomposing body of a woman had been found in the basement of a vacant house. The woman’s head had five gashes on it, her mouth was gagged, a rope was tied around her neck, and her hands were tied.
The police had been notified about the body via a note sent to the police station. The police went to the site, conducted a brief investigation, and then concluded that several medical students had placed the body in the basement to trick the police into opening a murder investigation.
Nothing further was done. [6]
