Digest

This episode delves into the perplexing case of El Frida Canack, a woman discovered in the basement of the Lake Bluff, Illinois police station in 1928. Found naked, severely burned, and barely alive, El Frida's case quickly becomes a baffling mystery. The scene of the crime, a cold basement with no signs of a recent fire, adds to the confusion. El Frida's identity is eventually established, and police investigate her movements leading up to her discovery, uncovering a series of phone calls and a missed bus ride. El Frida's statements in the hospital, mentioning "Hitch" and a desire for someone to come to her, lead investigators to Charles Hitchcock, the town's night watchman. Hitchcock, who knew El Frida from teaching her public speaking classes, denies any romantic involvement with her. Despite his alibi, police find no evidence that he left his house the night of El Frida's disappearance. El Frida's statements change, and she claims to have burned herself to prove her love for Hitchcock. However, medical experts find it impossible for her to have inflicted such severe burns on herself. The bloody footprints found in the basement, along with the locked furnace room door, further complicate the case. Chief Rosenhagen, the last person to be in the basement before El Frida's discovery, is also considered a suspect. His alibi is considered ironclad, but his actions before and after the discovery raise questions. The investigation takes several twists and turns, with El Frida's statements changing and new suspects emerging. A letter received by the state's attorney claims to have hypnotized El Frida and helped her burn herself, adding another layer of complexity to the case. Despite the coroner's inquest concluding that El Frida's death was self-inflicted, police remain skeptical. The lack of evidence available in 1928 makes it impossible to determine what truly happened to El Frida Canack, leaving her case unsolved.

Outlines

00:00:00

The Baffling Mystery of El Frida Canack

This episode delves into the perplexing case of El Frida Canack, a woman discovered in the basement of the Lake Bluff, Illinois police station in 1928. Found naked, severely burned, and barely alive, El Frida's case quickly becomes a baffling mystery. The scene of the crime, a cold basement with no signs of a recent fire, adds to the confusion. El Frida's identity is eventually established, and police investigate her movements leading up to her discovery, uncovering a series of phone calls and a missed bus ride.

00:00:04

The Discovery and Initial Investigation

On October 30th, 1928, police chief Barney Rosenhagen and the town's handyman, Chris Lewis, discover a severely burned woman in the basement of the Lake Bluff, Illinois police station. The woman is naked, covered in burns, and barely alive. The basement is cold, with no signs of a recent fire. The woman's clothes are burned, but her purse, watch, and shoes are found in a pile nearby. Bloody footprints lead from the furnace to the pile of belongings and then to the exterior door.

00:00:37

El Frida Canack's Identity and Last Movements

The woman is identified as El Frida Canack, a 30-year-old encyclopedia salesperson from Deerfield, Illinois. She had been traveling by train and bus to Chicago for a meeting and was expected home around 7:30 pm. Police investigate El Frida's movements on the day before her discovery. They learn that she missed her bus home and bought a train ticket to Lake Bluff. She made two phone calls from the train station, one to the Lake Bluff police station.

00:13:16

El Frida's Hospitalization and Statements

El Frida is hospitalized and begins to communicate with medical staff. She mentions \"Hitch\" and asks \"Why don't you come to me?\" leading police to investigate Charles Hitchcock, the town's night watchman. Charles Hitchcock, who has a broken leg, claims he was at home all night. He knew El Frida from teaching her public speaking classes. He denies any romantic involvement with her.

00:18:05

Investigating Hitchcock and the Timeline

Police investigate Hitchcock's alibi, finding that he was alone at home between 10:30 pm and 12:30 am. However, they find no evidence that he left his house that night. El Frida tells medical staff that she was alone in the basement and that she \"did this to herself.\" She claims she burned herself to prove her love for Hitchcock.

00:22:21

The Medical Evidence and the Bloody Footprints

Medical experts find it impossible for El Frida to have burned herself without assistance. The severity of her burns suggests she held her limbs in the furnace for at least five minutes each time. Police believe the bloody footprints found in the basement are El Frida's, despite the severity of her burns. They believe she was trying to escape someone.

00:28:32

The Locked Door and Chief Rosenhagen's Involvement

The door to the furnace room was locked from the outside. There is no key found in the room, and El Frida's statements about a \"mysterious hand\" locking the door raise further questions. Chief Rosenhagen, the last person to be in the basement the night before, is considered a suspect. He sent Chris Lewis to start the fire that morning, which is unusual.

00:32:50

The Chief's Alibi and El Frida's Changing Story

Chief Rosenhagen's alibi is considered ironclad. He is criticized for delaying the investigation and for disposing of the ashes from the furnace. El Frida's statements change, and she begins to mention \"Frank\" as someone who \"threw her down.\" Police investigate Frank Mandy, a local violin teacher, but find no connection to El Frida.

00:35:55

Theories, Confrontation, and the Autopsy

Police develop three main theories: El Frida burned herself, she was randomly attacked, or Charles Hitchcock was involved. Police bring Charles Hitchcock to the hospital to confront El Frida. She only answers one question, mouthing \"no\" when he asks if she did this to herself. El Frida's autopsy reveals a fractured arm and a head injury. The coroner concludes that she most likely burned herself, but police remain skeptical.

00:39:46

The Reward, the Letter, and the Coroner's Inquest

A $1,000 reward is offered for information. A letter is received from someone claiming to have been involved in El Frida's death. The letter describes El Frida's infatuation with Charles Hitchcock and her desire to \"purify herself with fire.\" The writer claims to have hypnotized El Frida and helped her burn herself. A coroner's inquest is held, with Charles Hitchcock denying any knowledge of hypnotism. The jury concludes that El Frida's death was self-inflicted.

00:45:17

New Evidence and Luella Roe's Involvement

El Frida's family finds a book, diaries, and a letter in her bedroom. The diaries reveal El Frida's feelings for Charles Hitchcock, and the letter is from a woman named Luella Roe. Luella Roe, who had met El Frida a few weeks before her death, confirms their friendship and interest in spirituality. She denies any involvement in El Frida's death.

00:50:23

Other Suspects and El Frida's Family's Beliefs

A man in Texas confesses to El Frida's death, but he is mentally ill and not connected to the case. El Frida's family believes someone encouraged her to burn herself, similar to the Michelle Carter case. They suspect her best friend, Marie Mueller. Marie Mueller, who knew both El Frida and Charles Hitchcock, later married Charles. She admitted to knowing what happened to El Frida but refused to talk about it.

00:53:39

The Case's Legacy and Unanswered Questions

Chief Rosenhagen is forced to resign and dies shortly after. Charles Hitchcock is also asked to resign. The case remains unsolved. The lack of evidence available in 1928 makes it difficult to determine what truly happened to El Frida Canack.

Keywords

Q&A

• What is the most baffling aspect of El Frida Canack's case?

  The most baffling aspect is the combination of El Frida's severe burns, the lack of evidence of a fire, and the bloody footprints suggesting she walked across the room. It's impossible to reconcile these facts with her claim that she burned herself.

• Who are the main suspects in El Frida's case?

  The main suspects are Charles Hitchcock, the town's night watchman, and Chief Barney Rosenhagen. Hitchcock is suspected due to El Frida's statements about him and the lack of evidence for his alibi. Rosenhagen is suspected due to his actions before and after the discovery of El Frida.

• What is the significance of the letter received by the state's attorney?

  The letter, written by someone claiming to have hypnotized El Frida and helped her burn herself, provides a possible explanation for the seemingly impossible events. It bridges the gap between El Frida's claim of self-infliction and the medical evidence suggesting someone else was involved.

• What is the ultimate outcome of El Frida Canack's case?

  The case remains unsolved. Despite the coroner's inquest concluding that El Frida's death was self-inflicted, police remain skeptical. The lack of evidence available in 1928 makes it impossible to determine what truly happened to El Frida.

Show Notes