The Unsolved Mystery of Who Put Bella in the Wych Elm?
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The Unsolved Mystery of "Who Put Bella in the Wych Elm?
April 18, 1943. A group of four boys make a gruesome discovery in Hagley Wood, Worcestershire, England. One of them climbs inside a hollow tree, looking for a bird's nest and eggs. What they discover is a skull and the remains of a mysterious woman. After 81 years, authorities still don't know who she is. This case if full of mystery, war spies, witchcraft, and even a cabaret singer. This is the 81 year old myster of Who Put Bella in the Wych Elm?
The Discovery in Hagley Wood
On that spring day in 1943, four young boys—Bob Farmer, Thomas Willetts, Bob Hart, and Fred Payne—were out exploring the dense woodland of Hagley Wood, searching for bird nests. As they wandered deeper into the woods, they stumbled upon an old, hollow wych elm tree. Curious, Bob Farmer peeked inside, and to his horror, he saw a skull staring back at him. The boys, shaken and frightened, swore to keep their discovery a secret. However, fear and guilt got the best of them, and they soon reported the macabre finding to the police.
The Investigation Begins
When investigators arrived at the scene, they unearthed a nearly complete human skeleton inside the tree. The skull still had some hair and a few crooked teeth, and a piece of taffeta was found stuffed into its mouth, suggesting foul play. Authorities also discovered a shoe and fragments of clothing near the skeleton. Forensic experts determined that the body was that of a woman who had been dead for approximately 18 months to 3 years. She was estimated to be around 35-40 years old, and her cause of death was believed to be asphyxiation.
The Strange Graffiti and the Name "Bella"
The case grew even more mysterious when strange graffiti began appearing on walls around the area, asking, "Who put Bella in the Wych Elm?" The first piece of graffiti appeared in 1944, a year after the discovery, in nearby Birmingham. As more graffiti appeared over the years, the name "Bella" became synonymous with the unidentified woman in the tree. But who was Bella, and why was her body placed in such a bizarre location?
Theories and Speculations
- Witchcraft and the Occult
- Espionage and World War II Spies
- A Cabaret Singer/Nazi Spy
- A Case of Violence Against a Woman
Conclusion
The enigma of "Who Put Bella in the Wych Elm?" is an 81-year-old mystery that refuses to fade away. It serves as a testament to the power of storytelling, the enduring fascination with the unknown, and the desire to uncover the truth. Whether Bella was a spy, a victim of ritualistic killing, or something else entirely, her story remains one of the most haunting cold cases in history.
If you’re captivated by mysteries like this, tune in to the Hitched 2 Homicide podcast, where we unravel true crime tales with a southern twist, blending suspense and intrigue with a touch of humor. Let's keep Bella's story alive as we continue our search for answers.
sources used for this podcast
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