Epitaph (Who Put Bella in the Wych Elm?)

On April 18th 1943 in Worcestershire England, (yes like the sauce no one can pronounce) 4 young boys looking for birds eggs crept into Hagley Wood. Hagley wood was a mysterious place. Located on the grounds of the partially abandoned Hagley Hall, Hagley woods were dotted with neglected temples and statues, overgrown landscaping and ancient stately trees. But one tree stood out among the rest. A tree almost entirely comprised of sharp, leafless twigs jutting out at severe angles, a gnarled, menacing, leafless wych elm. Most people would steer clear of such a thing, but the boys knew this kind of tree was the perfect place to hide nests. When they looked inside it's large and hollow trunk however, they didn't find birds, they didn't find eggs, they found a body, and unearthed a mystery that hangs over the village of Hagley to this very day. Who put Bella in the Wych Elm? This story may be familiar to some, but our dive is DEEP.      Click to learn more From the Worcestershire county council Josef Jakobs Blog British Newspaper Archive, create a free account to see all original articles Explore Hagley Hall     Validate Us: WWBD Merch Shop Buy us a cup of validation WWBD Official Soundtrack, Vol. 2 Shadows of Christmas (WWBD Christmas Album)   Sponsors Shore Soaps Try Audible Plus Give the Gift of Audible! Kindle Unlimited Membership Amazon Prime Free Trial Join the Conversation