Episode 573: The Kidnapping & Murder of Marion Parker (Part 1)
Episode 573: The Kidnapping & Murder of Marion Parker (Part 1)
8Digest
This episode of Morbid delves into the chilling true crime case of Marion Parker, a 12-year-old girl kidnapped and murdered in 1927. The episode begins by introducing Marion and her family, painting a picture of a close-knit and loving household. However, the narrative takes a dark turn when Marion is taken from school by a stranger claiming her father was in an accident. Despite the red flags, the school staff, overwhelmed by the holiday season, fails to verify the story and allows Marion to leave with the stranger. The episode then follows the frantic search for Marion, the ransom demands, and the eventual discovery of her body, brutally mutilated. The investigation leads to the identification of William Edward Hickman, a 19-year-old with a criminal past, as the perpetrator. The episode concludes with Hickman's escape and the ongoing manhunt for him.
Outlines
Introduction and Morbid Intro
This Chapter introduces the hosts, Elena and Ash, and welcomes listeners to Morbid. It also mentions that Wondery Plus subscribers can listen to Morbid early and ad-free.
The Case of Marion Parker
This Chapter dives into the heart of the episode, detailing the kidnapping and murder of 12-year-old Marion Parker in 1927. It explores the events leading up to the kidnapping, the negligence of the school staff, the ransom demands, and the eventual discovery of Marion's body. The investigation and the identification of William Edward Hickman as the perpetrator are also discussed.
Outro and Show Recommendations
This Chapter concludes the episode with a recap of the case and a call to action for listeners to join Wondery Plus for early and ad-free access. It also features recommendations for other Wondery podcasts, including Happily Never After, Dan and Nancy, and Scamfluencers.
Keywords
Marion Parker
Marion Parker was a 12-year-old girl who was kidnapped and murdered in Los Angeles, California in December 1927. Her case became a major news story and sparked public outrage due to the brutality of the crime and the negligence of the school staff.
William Edward Hickman
William Edward Hickman was a 19-year-old man who was identified as the perpetrator of the kidnapping and murder of Marion Parker. He had a criminal past, including forgery and armed robbery, and was known to have a history of harassing and assaulting girls. He was eventually apprehended and convicted of Marion's murder.
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California is a major city in the United States, known for its entertainment industry, beaches, and diverse population. The Marion Parker case took place in Los Angeles, and the city was gripped by fear and outrage following the crime.
Kidnapping for Ransom
Kidnapping for ransom is a crime in which a person is abducted and held captive in order to extort money from their family or friends. This was a common crime in the early 20th century, and the Marion Parker case is a chilling example of its brutality.
Negligence
Negligence is a failure to exercise the care that a reasonable person would exercise in a similar situation. In the Marion Parker case, the school staff was accused of negligence for failing to verify the identity of the stranger who took Marion from school. This negligence contributed to the tragic outcome of the case.
Manhunt
A manhunt is a search for a fugitive or criminal. Following the discovery of Marion Parker's body, authorities launched a massive manhunt for William Edward Hickman, who was eventually apprehended in Portland, Oregon.
True Crime
True crime is a genre of media that focuses on real-life crimes and their investigations. The Marion Parker case is a classic example of a true crime story, and it continues to fascinate and horrify audiences today.
Q&A
What were the circumstances surrounding Marion Parker's kidnapping?
Marion was taken from school by a stranger who claimed her father was in an accident. Despite red flags, the school staff, overwhelmed by the holiday season, failed to verify the story and allowed Marion to leave with the stranger.
What was the motive behind Marion Parker's murder?
While the exact motive remains unclear, investigators theorized that William Edward Hickman, the perpetrator, may have had a grudge against the bank where Marion's father worked. The relatively small ransom demand suggests that money may not have been the primary motivation.
How did the press coverage of the Marion Parker case impact the public?
The press coverage was sensationalized and graphic, causing widespread fear and panic among residents of California. Parents kept their children home from school, and the case became a major news story across the state.
What role did negligence play in Marion Parker's death?
The negligence of the school staff in failing to verify the identity of the stranger who took Marion from school is considered a major contributing factor to her death. This negligence highlights the importance of caution and verification when dealing with strangers, especially when children are involved.
What lessons can be learned from the Marion Parker case?
The Marion Parker case serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of trusting strangers and the importance of verifying information, especially when children are involved. It also highlights the potential for negligence to have devastating consequences.
Show Notes
On the afternoon of December 15, 1927, twelve-year-old Marion Parker was checked out of her Los Angeles junior high school by a man claiming to be an employee of her father, Perry Parker, an employee at a bank in the city. The man claimed Parker had been in an accident and he was to bring the girl to see her father, but this was just a ruse to abduct the girl. The following day, Marion’s parents received several cryptic ransom letters demanding $1,500 in gold in exchange for the safe return of their daughter. On December 17, Perry Parker delivered the money to the kidnapper, who took the money, then dumped Marion’s dead, mutilated body out of the car before speeding away.
References
Associated Press. 1928. "Hickman to have new judge." Fresno Bee, January 25: 1.
—. 1927. "Confession stuns mother." Los Angeles Times, December 23: 4.
Berger, Jackson. 1927. "Kidnapper tries to dash out brains in frenzy." Los Angeles Times, December 25: 1.
Los Angeles Record. 1927. "Hunt kidnappers of girl." Los Angeles Record, December 16: 1.
Los Angeles Times. 1927. "'Fox' ponders 'crazy' plea." Los Angeles Times, December 24: 1.
—. 1927. "Fugitive caught in breakneck race with Oregon officers." Los Angeles Times, December 23: 1.
—. 1927. "Hickman believed in Seattle." Los Angeles Times, December 22: 1.
—. 1927. "Hickman pronounced sane." Los Angeles Times, December 24: 1.
—. 1927. "Hickman's finger-prints found in apartment." Los Angeles Times, December 21: 1.
—. 1927. "'I liked her' declares youth while he sobs." Los Angeles Times, December 23: 1.
—. 1927. "Kidnapper grows sullen when 'pal' proves alibi." Los Angeles Times, December 24: 1.
—. 1928. "New crimes confessed by Hickman." Los Angeles Times, October 14: 3.
—. 1928. "New horror in Hickman case." Los Angeles Times, February 2: 1.
—. 1928. "Slayer makes self-analysis." Los Angeles Times, February 2: 2.
Neibaur, James. 2016. Butterfly in the Rain: The 1927 Abduction and Murder of Marion Parker. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.
New York Times. 1928. "Hickman sentenced to hang April 27." New York Times, February 15: 25.
—. 1928. "Hickman's father goes to his aid." New York Times, February 1: 13.
—. 1927. "Youth arrested in child slaying at Los Angeles." New York Times, December 19: 1.
Overton, Gerald. 1928. "Hickman goes to death on gibbet." Fresno Bee, October 19: 1.
Rasmussen, Cecilia. 2001. "Girl's grisly killing had city residents up in arms." Los Angeles Times, February 4.
San Francisco Examiner. 1927. "Kidnapped girl's body tossed omn lawn." San Francisco Examiner, December 18: 1.
State of California v William Edward Hickman. 1928. 204 Cal. 470 (Supreme Court of California, July 5).
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Table of contents
United States
@7:45