A grim discovery in Lake Contrary near St. Joseph, Missouri, left authorities with more questions than answers in 1920.
The body of an unidentified young woman was found in the water, bound with wire clothesline and weighted down with pieces of iron bed rail.
Police believed the murder had taken place elsewhere and that the lake had been used only as a hiding place. With the Missouri River just a short distance away, investigators wondered if the killers had meant to dispose of the body there instead.
A blood-stained automobile found miles away added another troubling clue to the mystery.
Headless Body Found in Lake Contrary
ST. JOSEPH, Missouri. — Authorities tonight had no clue to the identity of the young woman whose headless body was found today in Lake Contrary near here. The body was nude, bound with wire clothesline and weighted with iron bed rails.
It was the theory of the police that the murder was committed some distance from the lake and that the body was taken there to be disposed of.
They also believe that the slayers intended to throw the body into the Missouri River, but made the mistakes the river is only 200 yards from the lake at the point where the body was found.
The police were informed that a blood-stained automobile containing stained clothing was found early this week at Armour Junction, Mo., 27 miles south of St. Joseph. It is believed that this car may have had some connection with the crime.
Source: Carrizozo Outlook. Carrizozo, N.M. June 18, 1920.
