Stuff You Should Know - Who Put Bella In the Wych Elm? | STUFF YOU SHOULD KNOW
The podcast delves into the mysterious case of a woman's body found in a tree in Hagley Wood, England, during World War II. The case, known as "Bella in the Witch Elm," remains unsolved and is shrouded in speculation and myth. The body was discovered by four boys in 1943, and initial investigations led by pathologist James Webster concluded it was likely a murder. Despite extensive efforts, including tracing a shoe found with the body and examining dental records, the identity of the woman remained unknown.
The case gained further intrigue when graffiti appeared in 1944, asking "Who put Bella down the witch Elm?" This led to various theories, including those involving witchcraft and espionage. A letter from "Anna of Claverly" suggested the victim was a Dutch woman involved with a Nazi spy, but this was never confirmed. Over the years, the case has been subject to numerous speculative theories, including one involving a German cabaret singer named Clara Bauerle, but none have been substantiated. The podcast emphasizes the importance of scrutinizing sources due to the many myths surrounding the case.
Key Points:
- The body of a woman was found in a tree in Hagley Wood, England, in 1943, leading to an unsolved murder investigation.
- Initial investigations suggested murder, but the woman's identity was never confirmed despite extensive efforts.
- Graffiti in 1944 linked the case to the name 'Bella,' sparking theories involving witchcraft and espionage.
- A letter claimed the victim was a Dutch woman involved with a Nazi spy, but this was never verified.
- The case remains unsolved, with many speculative theories but no definitive answers.
Details:
1. 🎉 Farewell to a Podcast Legend
- Jonathan Strickland, a long-time host of Tech Stuff, has stepped down from hosting but continues to executive produce other shows, indicating his ongoing influence in the podcasting world.
- The celebration event for Jonathan's contributions was attended by past colleagues, highlighting his extensive body of work over the years and the deep connections he formed.
- Jonathan's departure marks the end of an era for Tech Stuff, as he was a pivotal figure in its development and popularity.
- The event also served as a reunion for former colleagues, emphasizing the evolving dynamics of workplaces with the rise of remote work.
- Colleagues noted Jonathan's role in shaping the podcast's direction and his influence on its success, setting a high standard for future hosts.
- Despite stepping down as host, Jonathan's future plans include continuing to impact the industry through executive production roles, indicating his lasting legacy.
2. 🌳 The Witch Elm Mystery Unfolds
- The Witch Elm case involves the unsolved mystery of a murdered woman found inside a tree, which sparked widespread intrigue and speculation.
- Despite popular associations with witchcraft and pagan cults, these connections are more fictional than factual, adding to the case's mystique.
- Many people, including those discussing it, were not initially familiar with the details, highlighting a gap between the case's fame and public awareness.
- Visual aids such as anatomical diagrams and photographs have significantly influenced public perception, mirroring the impact of memorable images from paranormal series.
- The discovery of the body in 1943 led to various theories, but the case remains unsolved, with the identity of the woman and her murderer unknown.
3. 🕵️♂️ Initial Investigation and Findings
- In April 1943, amidst World War II rationing in Britain, four teenage boys—Robert Hart, Bob Farmer, Tommy Willets, and Fred Payne—were foraging for food in Hagley Wood.
- Bob Farmer discovered a skull inside a tree, initially mistaking it for an eggshell, but identified it as human due to visible hair and crooked teeth.
- Concerned about repercussions for trespassing and poaching, the boys decided to return the skull to the tree and keep their find a secret, illustrating the fear of authority during wartime.
4. 🔍 Theories and Graffiti Clues
- Tommy Willets, a 17-year-old, reported finding a human skull in a tree, prompting a police investigation.
- James Webster, a pathologist from the Birmingham forensic laboratory, led the investigation, concluding credible findings.
- Most of the skeleton was found inside the tree with some small bones missing; a tibia and pieces of clothing, including a shoe, were discovered nearby.
- The investigation included analyzing graffiti clues found at the site, potentially linked to the skull's origin.
- Webster's detailed forensic analysis provided insights into the time and cause of death, aiding in developing theories about the skull's history.
5. 🧙♀️ Witches, Folklore, and Fiction
- The remains of a woman, approximately 35 years old and 5 feet tall, with brown hair, were discovered. The state of the remains suggested she had been deceased for 18 months or longer.
- A piece of the woman's dress was found stuffed into her jaw, indicating the possibility of murder if it was inserted while she was alive.
- The body was discovered in a confined space, measuring approximately 12 inches by 24 inches, which would be difficult for someone to enter voluntarily, particularly if already deceased due to rigor mortis.
- The investigators, led by Webster, concluded that the circumstances strongly indicated murder, as the body seemed to have been forcibly placed in the space while possibly still alive.
- Despite having most of the jaw intact, no dental match was found, and the physical description did not match any missing persons reports.
6. 🔎 The Dutch Connection and New Leads
- The case went cold initially, with the site being accessible to the public for activities like picnics during wartime, indicating a lack of immediate security or preservation of the area.
- In March 1944, graffiti appeared in Birmingham with messages 'Hagley wood Bella' and 'Who put Bella down the witch Elm', leading to the identification of the victim as 'Bella' and reopening the case.
- The police considered the graffiti as a potential lead, suspecting the writer might know the victim's identity and seeking justice.
- Despite extensive initial investigations including dental records and missing persons reports, no matches were found, highlighting challenges in identification during that period.
- Significant advancement was made by tracing a shoe found with the victim back to the Waterfoot Company in Lancashire, narrowing down owners to six pairs sold at a market stall, illustrating the meticulous approach by investigators.
7. 🪓 Misleading Speculations and New Theories
- During a period of intense strain in England, characterized by nightly bombings and food rationing, authorities diligently reopened and pursued the investigation into the case, demonstrating its significance despite the challenging context.
- The investigation explored various potential identifications for the victim, such as Bella, Luella, and Isabella, but these leads resulted in dead ends, showcasing the difficulty of solving the case.
- The case was erroneously linked to witchcraft due to the term 'witch Elm,' which actually originates from Old English, meaning 'smooth' or 'supple,' and is unrelated to any witchcraft connotations.
- Margaret Murray, a folklorist and archaeologist, fueled the witchcraft theory by associating the case with an ancient fertility cult involving sacrifices, which influenced public perception and added a layer of myth to the investigation.
8. 📚 Historical Investigations and Creative Solutions
- The discovery of a severed hand near a tree was initially misinterpreted as witchcraft-related, but it actually connects to an old burglar superstition known as the 'hand of Glory'.
- This superstition involved a severed hand holding candles, believed to indicate if residents were asleep, showing it's unrelated to witchcraft.
- Police reports confirmed no severed hand was found, revealing the myth was fabricated over time, illustrating how misinformation complicates historical cases.
- The persistence of this myth highlights how historical narratives become unsolvable due to added misinformation layers.
- A company on Etsy sells a 'hand of Glory' candle for $85, demonstrating the myth's commercialization.
- The 'hand of Glory' myth originates from European folklore, where it was believed to have magical properties, particularly in burglary contexts.
9. 🤯 Dissecting Witchcraft Myths
- Margaret Murray fabricated the idea of witchcraft during an unrelated investigation, highlighting the creation of myths.
- Charles Walton's murder was wrongly attributed to witchcraft; it was actually his employer who was involved, debunking the association with witchcraft.
- Wilfred Byford Jones, writing under a pseudonym in 1953, published speculative articles on Bella's murder, perpetuating myths about witchcraft and Romany people.
- A reader known as Anna of Claverly challenged these narratives, showing public engagement in debunking the myths.