The death of Mary Ravenel remains one of Charleston’s most baffling mysteries. The 64 year old widow was found slumped on the sidewalk near her home on November 1, 1933. People stopped to help and transported Mary to the hospital. She complained of unbearable pain but doctors were unable to determine the source of her injuries and Mary died. Investigators struggled to answer the question of how Mary Ravenel died? Was it accidental? Or cold blooded murder?

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Episode Sources

• South Carolina Bandits, Bushwackers, Outlaws, Crooks, Devils, Ghosts and other assorted characters By Carole Marsh


• South Carolina Killers: Crimes of Passion by Mark Jones


• Charleston Historical Exhibits and Information: The Mysterious Death of Mary Ravenel, 1933


• South Carolina Encyclopedia: Ravenel, St. Julien


• SC Picture Project: Palmer Home


• Charleston Raconteurs: William Ravenel House


• The Asheville Times: Bullet Pierced Body of Woman Found in Street, November 2, 1933


• Greensboro Record: Strange Death of Charleston Woman Is Veiled in Mystery, November 3, 1933


• The Charlotte Observer: Stray Bullet Kills Woman, November 3, 1933


• The State: Mrs. Ravenel Told Hospital ‘A Man Hit Me’, November 3, 1933


• Florence Morning News: Woman’s Death Still Mystery, November 4, 1933


• The Gazette: Mrs. Ravenel’s Slayer Never Apprehended, October 4, 1936


• The State: Ravenel Death Still Unsolved, April 5, 1938


• The Columbia Record: Charlotte Storm Kills 30, September 29, 1938

Episode Music

Out of the Mines, courtesy of Ross Gentry, Asheville, North Carolina.