Suspicious Death of Martha Mansfield

 

Martha Mansfield was determined to become an actress at the age of 14. Her first role would happen in a play of Little Women in 1912. She would act, sing and dance in some plays, and model in photographs before being signed by Essanay Studios.

On November 29, 1923, 24-year-old Martha was working at a location in San Antonio, Texas. She was playing the role of Agatha Warren in the movie The Warrens of Virginia. Because it was based in the Civil War she was wearing a costume based on the time. Which was of hoop skirts and flimsy ruffles. 

After filming was done Martha went to her car where her chauffeur was waiting. Her skirt would burst into flames. Those around tried to save her. The chauffeur tried to take her clothes off and the leading man Wilfred Lytell threw his heavy overcoat onto her. 

Both Martha and the Chaufer were burned. Martha's body was severely burned, but her face was not because of Wilfred's jacket. The Chaufer's hands were badly burned. They would be taken to the hospital. However the following day Martha would die. It was from burns of all extremities, general toxemia, and suppression of urine. 

It's unknown what exactly happened. It was known that a match was the culprit of the fire, but it was unknown who had done it. Some witnesses stated that they saw the match go through the window. Others theorized that Martha was trying to smoke and accidentally dropped the match. However, her mother stated that she didn't smoke and that it in fact made it uncomfortable. 

SOURCES:

Wikipedia

IMDB

Muskogee Daily Pheonix  and Times-Democrat November 30, 1923

Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, the Evening News November 30, 1923

Pensacola News Journal December 1, 1923

News 4 San Antonio Nevember 30, 2020

Murder of Kimberly Steele

On September 14, 2011, a home at 123 Town & Country Lane in Searcy, Arkansas was on fire. The mobile home belonged to 46-year-old Kimberly Steele and she had not been seen for two days at this point. It was determined that the home was set on fire in multiple places and there was no sign of Kimberly. Her two dogs were killed in the fire. A small blue car was seen at the residence shortly before the fire was noticed. Since there were no signs of Kimberly after the fire her parents reported her missing on the 15th. 

That same day Kimberly's body would be found. She was found in Prairie County at the Wattensaw Refuge. She has been shot in the head and her body caught on fire.

SOURCES: 

White County, Arkansas Sherriff's Office

Uncovered

ABC 7 September 24, 2011

April 24, 1924 Roker Beach, England Baby John Doe

 On April 24, 1924, the body of a newborn baby boy was found on Roker Beach near Sunderland, England. The infant was burned, had a fractured elbow and a scalp wound. It's believed that right after birth the infant was placed in a fire and burned to death.

SOURCES:
Unsolved Murders UK

Suspicious Death of Henry Hults

At about 6:30 am on March 22, 1963, 62-year-old Henry Hults was found dead in his backyard about 15 feet from his house in Oxford Junction, Iowa. He had been badly burned and there were several patches of burned ground near him. It's possible this was from him trying to stop the flames. The fire had caused his death. 

It's not stated why they think it is a murder and not an accident. That is why I titled it a suspicious death. 

SOURCES:
Iowa Cold Cases
Find a Grave