From William Smith:
A couple days ago I came across a news service photo of an old house on ebay (see link #1 below) and on the reverse was a short description of a crime which Mr. Parr was a victim. That began my search for him on the internet which led me to a news article from 1936 (see link #2 below) and eventually to your posting of his grave marker. As a long time resident of Fresno I found that it to be a sad story and tragic end for a WWI veteran and I hope to learn more about the man and the outcome of any arrests that were made.
---------------------------------
Police Probe Man's Death
Woman Held After They Find Headless Body Along Tracks
Fresno, Calif., Dec 28 (AP) – A woman was detained today in connection with the violent death of a World War veteran, who may have been partially scalped before his he was decapitated, after a Christmas drinking party. An unidentified man was sought.
Undersheriff C. A. Tarr said a note fond in the pocket of the veteran, Emory Parr, 38, reading "Carmain Switzer is responsible for this," discounted earlier beliefs Parr was run over by a train. His body was found on a railroad right-of-way two miles from the home of Dr. P. S. Lindsey, dentist, where Parr was acting as caretaker.
The woman, held as a material witness, gave the name of Thelma Switzer, 32, a highway lunch counter operator, but Tarr said she also was known as Carmel or Carmain Switzer, Carmel Molino, Thelma Williamson and Thelma De Lima. He asserted she told conflicting stories.
Part of one of her ears had been cut away and a tooth was knocked out. Tarr said the tooth was found in the blood-smeared Lindsey home where the party was held. The officer quoted the woman as first saying Par hit her with the axe after she resisted his advances.
Dr. Charles Nixon, county pathologist, reported an autopsy and other physical evidence indicated the victim had been killed and partially scalped before decapitation. A Blood-stained hatchet was found outside the Lindsey home.
Fears the Lindsey, his wife and Bernard (Jack) Smith, regular caretaker if the couple's home were also killed were dispelled when they were located in Los Angeles.
Officers said the note convinced them Parr was killed and then thrown on the track in an attempt to make it appear he committed suicide. They interpreted the note as part of the plot.
Monday, December 28, 1936
Reading Eagle
Reading, PA
#1: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1936-Press-Photo-Home-where-Feindish-Christmas-Day-Murder-at-Fresno-California-/350833691908?pt=Art_Photo_Images&hash=item51af514d04
#2: http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1955&dat=19361228&id=ZfRlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0WQNAAAAIBAJ&pg=3543,5972889
---------------------------------
State Technician Files Report on Emory Parr Case
Further details of an investigation in the Emory E. Parr mystery death case which led officials to the conclusion the 47-year old world war veteran committed suicide are contained in a preliminary report made in Sacramento today by Roger Greene, laboratory technician for the department of criminal identification.
Greene said the amount of blood found in the yard of the Dr. P. S. Lindsey home on Blythe Avenue evidently was from wounds inflicted on Thelma Switzer, companion of Parr. Greene said not much more than a pint of blood was found in the yard and this could not have been from both persons.
Parr's headless body was found along the Southern Pacific main line tracks near the Shields Avenue crossing where officers believe he ended his own life on the rails.
Other Evidence which Greene said indicates suicide include soil on the shoes worn by Parr, peculiar to the railroad right-of-way, and marks he believes are those of dogs' teeth on the severed head.
Newspaper: Fresno Bee The Republican, The
Publication: 8 Jan 1937 - Fresno, California
---------------------------------
Legion Conducts Final Rites for Emory Parr
Last rites were held today at the chapel of the Lisle Funeral Home for Emory E. Parr, 47, of Fresno by Fresno Post No. 4 of the American Legion.
Parr, a world war veteran, was found decapitated on December 25th near the Southern Pacific right of way. Officials announced his death as a suicide. Interment was in Liberty Cemetery.
Newspaper: Fresno Bee The Republican, The
Publication: 11 Jan 1937 - Fresno, California
∼Emery Parr, a young war veteran was decapitated and scalped, on Christmas Day in Fresno, California, his body thrown across the railroad tracks to simulate a suicide.
Spurious notes were planted in his clothing to try to lead authorities to believe he committed suicide, but the condition of the body on the tracks showed he was dead before he was placed there.
A couple days ago I came across a news service photo of an old house on ebay (see link #1 below) and on the reverse was a short description of a crime which Mr. Parr was a victim. That began my search for him on the internet which led me to a news article from 1936 (see link #2 below) and eventually to your posting of his grave marker. As a long time resident of Fresno I found that it to be a sad story and tragic end for a WWI veteran and I hope to learn more about the man and the outcome of any arrests that were made.
---------------------------------
Police Probe Man's Death
Woman Held After They Find Headless Body Along Tracks
Fresno, Calif., Dec 28 (AP) – A woman was detained today in connection with the violent death of a World War veteran, who may have been partially scalped before his he was decapitated, after a Christmas drinking party. An unidentified man was sought.
Undersheriff C. A. Tarr said a note fond in the pocket of the veteran, Emory Parr, 38, reading "Carmain Switzer is responsible for this," discounted earlier beliefs Parr was run over by a train. His body was found on a railroad right-of-way two miles from the home of Dr. P. S. Lindsey, dentist, where Parr was acting as caretaker.
The woman, held as a material witness, gave the name of Thelma Switzer, 32, a highway lunch counter operator, but Tarr said she also was known as Carmel or Carmain Switzer, Carmel Molino, Thelma Williamson and Thelma De Lima. He asserted she told conflicting stories.
Part of one of her ears had been cut away and a tooth was knocked out. Tarr said the tooth was found in the blood-smeared Lindsey home where the party was held. The officer quoted the woman as first saying Par hit her with the axe after she resisted his advances.
Dr. Charles Nixon, county pathologist, reported an autopsy and other physical evidence indicated the victim had been killed and partially scalped before decapitation. A Blood-stained hatchet was found outside the Lindsey home.
Fears the Lindsey, his wife and Bernard (Jack) Smith, regular caretaker if the couple's home were also killed were dispelled when they were located in Los Angeles.
Officers said the note convinced them Parr was killed and then thrown on the track in an attempt to make it appear he committed suicide. They interpreted the note as part of the plot.
Monday, December 28, 1936
Reading Eagle
Reading, PA
#1: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1936-Press-Photo-Home-where-Feindish-Christmas-Day-Murder-at-Fresno-California-/350833691908?pt=Art_Photo_Images&hash=item51af514d04
#2: http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1955&dat=19361228&id=ZfRlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0WQNAAAAIBAJ&pg=3543,5972889
---------------------------------
State Technician Files Report on Emory Parr Case
Further details of an investigation in the Emory E. Parr mystery death case which led officials to the conclusion the 47-year old world war veteran committed suicide are contained in a preliminary report made in Sacramento today by Roger Greene, laboratory technician for the department of criminal identification.
Greene said the amount of blood found in the yard of the Dr. P. S. Lindsey home on Blythe Avenue evidently was from wounds inflicted on Thelma Switzer, companion of Parr. Greene said not much more than a pint of blood was found in the yard and this could not have been from both persons.
Parr's headless body was found along the Southern Pacific main line tracks near the Shields Avenue crossing where officers believe he ended his own life on the rails.
Other Evidence which Greene said indicates suicide include soil on the shoes worn by Parr, peculiar to the railroad right-of-way, and marks he believes are those of dogs' teeth on the severed head.
Newspaper: Fresno Bee The Republican, The
Publication: 8 Jan 1937 - Fresno, California
---------------------------------
Legion Conducts Final Rites for Emory Parr
Last rites were held today at the chapel of the Lisle Funeral Home for Emory E. Parr, 47, of Fresno by Fresno Post No. 4 of the American Legion.
Parr, a world war veteran, was found decapitated on December 25th near the Southern Pacific right of way. Officials announced his death as a suicide. Interment was in Liberty Cemetery.
Newspaper: Fresno Bee The Republican, The
Publication: 11 Jan 1937 - Fresno, California
∼Emery Parr, a young war veteran was decapitated and scalped, on Christmas Day in Fresno, California, his body thrown across the railroad tracks to simulate a suicide.
Spurious notes were planted in his clothing to try to lead authorities to believe he committed suicide, but the condition of the body on the tracks showed he was dead before he was placed there.
From William Smith:
A couple days ago I came across a news service photo of an old house on ebay (see link #1 below) and on the reverse was a short description of a crime which Mr. Parr was a victim. That began my search for him on the internet which led me to a news article from 1936 (see link #2 below) and eventually to your posting of his grave marker. As a long time resident of Fresno I found that it to be a sad story and tragic end for a WWI veteran and I hope to learn more about the man and the outcome of any arrests that were made.
---------------------------------
Police Probe Man's Death
Woman Held After They Find Headless Body Along Tracks
Fresno, Calif., Dec 28 (AP) – A woman was detained today in connection with the violent death of a World War veteran, who may have been partially scalped before his he was decapitated, after a Christmas drinking party. An unidentified man was sought.
Undersheriff C. A. Tarr said a note fond in the pocket of the veteran, Emory Parr, 38, reading "Carmain Switzer is responsible for this," discounted earlier beliefs Parr was run over by a train. His body was found on a railroad right-of-way two miles from the home of Dr. P. S. Lindsey, dentist, where Parr was acting as caretaker.
The woman, held as a material witness, gave the name of Thelma Switzer, 32, a highway lunch counter operator, but Tarr said she also was known as Carmel or Carmain Switzer, Carmel Molino, Thelma Williamson and Thelma De Lima. He asserted she told conflicting stories.
Part of one of her ears had been cut away and a tooth was knocked out. Tarr said the tooth was found in the blood-smeared Lindsey home where the party was held. The officer quoted the woman as first saying Par hit her with the axe after she resisted his advances.
Dr. Charles Nixon, county pathologist, reported an autopsy and other physical evidence indicated the victim had been killed and partially scalped before decapitation. A Blood-stained hatchet was found outside the Lindsey home.
Fears the Lindsey, his wife and Bernard (Jack) Smith, regular caretaker if the couple's home were also killed were dispelled when they were located in Los Angeles.
Officers said the note convinced them Parr was killed and then thrown on the track in an attempt to make it appear he committed suicide. They interpreted the note as part of the plot.
Monday, December 28, 1936
Reading Eagle
Reading, PA
#1: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1936-Press-Photo-Home-where-Feindish-Christmas-Day-Murder-at-Fresno-California-/350833691908?pt=Art_Photo_Images&hash=item51af514d04
#2: http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1955&dat=19361228&id=ZfRlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0WQNAAAAIBAJ&pg=3543,5972889
---------------------------------
State Technician Files Report on Emory Parr Case
Further details of an investigation in the Emory E. Parr mystery death case which led officials to the conclusion the 47-year old world war veteran committed suicide are contained in a preliminary report made in Sacramento today by Roger Greene, laboratory technician for the department of criminal identification.
Greene said the amount of blood found in the yard of the Dr. P. S. Lindsey home on Blythe Avenue evidently was from wounds inflicted on Thelma Switzer, companion of Parr. Greene said not much more than a pint of blood was found in the yard and this could not have been from both persons.
Parr's headless body was found along the Southern Pacific main line tracks near the Shields Avenue crossing where officers believe he ended his own life on the rails.
Other Evidence which Greene said indicates suicide include soil on the shoes worn by Parr, peculiar to the railroad right-of-way, and marks he believes are those of dogs' teeth on the severed head.
Newspaper: Fresno Bee The Republican, The
Publication: 8 Jan 1937 - Fresno, California
---------------------------------
Legion Conducts Final Rites for Emory Parr
Last rites were held today at the chapel of the Lisle Funeral Home for Emory E. Parr, 47, of Fresno by Fresno Post No. 4 of the American Legion.
Parr, a world war veteran, was found decapitated on December 25th near the Southern Pacific right of way. Officials announced his death as a suicide. Interment was in Liberty Cemetery.
Newspaper: Fresno Bee The Republican, The
Publication: 11 Jan 1937 - Fresno, California
∼Emery Parr, a young war veteran was decapitated and scalped, on Christmas Day in Fresno, California, his body thrown across the railroad tracks to simulate a suicide.
Spurious notes were planted in his clothing to try to lead authorities to believe he committed suicide, but the condition of the body on the tracks showed he was dead before he was placed there.
A couple days ago I came across a news service photo of an old house on ebay (see link #1 below) and on the reverse was a short description of a crime which Mr. Parr was a victim. That began my search for him on the internet which led me to a news article from 1936 (see link #2 below) and eventually to your posting of his grave marker. As a long time resident of Fresno I found that it to be a sad story and tragic end for a WWI veteran and I hope to learn more about the man and the outcome of any arrests that were made.
---------------------------------
Police Probe Man's Death
Woman Held After They Find Headless Body Along Tracks
Fresno, Calif., Dec 28 (AP) – A woman was detained today in connection with the violent death of a World War veteran, who may have been partially scalped before his he was decapitated, after a Christmas drinking party. An unidentified man was sought.
Undersheriff C. A. Tarr said a note fond in the pocket of the veteran, Emory Parr, 38, reading "Carmain Switzer is responsible for this," discounted earlier beliefs Parr was run over by a train. His body was found on a railroad right-of-way two miles from the home of Dr. P. S. Lindsey, dentist, where Parr was acting as caretaker.
The woman, held as a material witness, gave the name of Thelma Switzer, 32, a highway lunch counter operator, but Tarr said she also was known as Carmel or Carmain Switzer, Carmel Molino, Thelma Williamson and Thelma De Lima. He asserted she told conflicting stories.
Part of one of her ears had been cut away and a tooth was knocked out. Tarr said the tooth was found in the blood-smeared Lindsey home where the party was held. The officer quoted the woman as first saying Par hit her with the axe after she resisted his advances.
Dr. Charles Nixon, county pathologist, reported an autopsy and other physical evidence indicated the victim had been killed and partially scalped before decapitation. A Blood-stained hatchet was found outside the Lindsey home.
Fears the Lindsey, his wife and Bernard (Jack) Smith, regular caretaker if the couple's home were also killed were dispelled when they were located in Los Angeles.
Officers said the note convinced them Parr was killed and then thrown on the track in an attempt to make it appear he committed suicide. They interpreted the note as part of the plot.
Monday, December 28, 1936
Reading Eagle
Reading, PA
#1: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1936-Press-Photo-Home-where-Feindish-Christmas-Day-Murder-at-Fresno-California-/350833691908?pt=Art_Photo_Images&hash=item51af514d04
#2: http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1955&dat=19361228&id=ZfRlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0WQNAAAAIBAJ&pg=3543,5972889
---------------------------------
State Technician Files Report on Emory Parr Case
Further details of an investigation in the Emory E. Parr mystery death case which led officials to the conclusion the 47-year old world war veteran committed suicide are contained in a preliminary report made in Sacramento today by Roger Greene, laboratory technician for the department of criminal identification.
Greene said the amount of blood found in the yard of the Dr. P. S. Lindsey home on Blythe Avenue evidently was from wounds inflicted on Thelma Switzer, companion of Parr. Greene said not much more than a pint of blood was found in the yard and this could not have been from both persons.
Parr's headless body was found along the Southern Pacific main line tracks near the Shields Avenue crossing where officers believe he ended his own life on the rails.
Other Evidence which Greene said indicates suicide include soil on the shoes worn by Parr, peculiar to the railroad right-of-way, and marks he believes are those of dogs' teeth on the severed head.
Newspaper: Fresno Bee The Republican, The
Publication: 8 Jan 1937 - Fresno, California
---------------------------------
Legion Conducts Final Rites for Emory Parr
Last rites were held today at the chapel of the Lisle Funeral Home for Emory E. Parr, 47, of Fresno by Fresno Post No. 4 of the American Legion.
Parr, a world war veteran, was found decapitated on December 25th near the Southern Pacific right of way. Officials announced his death as a suicide. Interment was in Liberty Cemetery.
Newspaper: Fresno Bee The Republican, The
Publication: 11 Jan 1937 - Fresno, California
∼Emery Parr, a young war veteran was decapitated and scalped, on Christmas Day in Fresno, California, his body thrown across the railroad tracks to simulate a suicide.
Spurious notes were planted in his clothing to try to lead authorities to believe he committed suicide, but the condition of the body on the tracks showed he was dead before he was placed there.
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