EPISODE · Sep 14, 2022 · 8 MIN
New York: Hazel Drew Murder Mysteries
from Foul Play: A Historical True Crime Podcast · host Shane L. Waters, Wendy Cee, Gemma Hoskins
In the summer of 1908, the unsolved murder of Hazel Drew became New York's darkest mystery as her body was... It was a scorching summer in 1908 when the picturesque town of Sand Lake was jolted by the chilling discovery of 20-year-old Hazel Drew's body floating in Teal's Pond. Known for her beauty and vibrant spirit, Hazel was beloved by her family and friends. She lived modestly, working as a domestic servant while nurturing dreams of something greater. Her untimely death sent ripples through the community and captivated the nation, becoming one of New York's infamous unsolved mysteries. Hazel Drew's murder case holds historical significance as it exposed the era's socio-political tensions and the limitations of early 20th-century investigative techniques. The young woman's death highlighted the power dynamics and the precarious position of women seeking independence during that time. The investigation into Hazel's murder revealed a tangled web of speculation and intrigue. Initial reports suggested blunt force trauma as the cause of death. Despite numerous leads and suspects, the case soon went cold due to insufficient forensic tools and societal biases. The early 1900s was a time of change, reflecting the struggles and aspirations of a world on the brink of modernity. People in Sand Lake were dealing with societal shifts, where tradition clashed with burgeoning modern values. Listeners of this episode will journey back to 1908 and feel the weight of Hazel Drew's case. Through intimate descriptions and historical insights, the mystery of what happened to Hazel unfolds. How did a vibrant young woman meet such a tragic end, and why has this mystery endured for over a century? --- Support Foul Play: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/foulplaypodcast Website: https://www.mythsandmalice.com/show/foul-play/ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/foul-play-crime-series/id1525832703 Follow us: Instagram: @foulplaycrimeseries Twitter: @foulplaypodOur Sponsors:* Check out Kensington Publishing: https://www.kensingtonbooks.com* Check out Mood and use my code SHANE for a great deal: https://mood.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
What this episode covers
More than a century ago, the body of 20 year old Hazel Drew was found floating in Teal's Pond near the bottom of Taborton Mountain in Sand Lake, New York. An autopsy found that she'd died of blunt head trauma to the back of her head prior to ending up in the pond. Her death was labeled a murder. In the weeks that followed the discovery of her body, many suspects were investigated including among others: her recently widowed, and suicidal, uncle William Taylor who lived nearby; a simple-minded 17 year old farm hand named Frank Smith, who fancied Hazel and his friend Rudolph Gunderman, a charcoal peddler, the two of whom had seen her along Taborton Road, near the pond, shortly before she died; and a pair of unknown men seen by a couple driving by, about the time the murder was supposed to have taken place, at the scene - one waiting in a horse drawn runabout, and the other beating around in the bushes near the pond, as if looking for something! What made Hazel's murder all the more mysterious, was that only a few days prior to it, she'd suddenly, and unexpectedly left her job as a domestic at the home of Professor E.R. Cary in Troy, and nobody knew what her intentions were. Also her luggage had been left - checked at the train station. In the end, all the leads the investigators had ran out. Nobody was ever arrested or charged with the murder, and to this day - Hazel Drew's murder remains unsolved! Find us online. Support the show by joining our Black Label to support the show and unlock exclusive benefits. You can join on Patreon and Apple Podcast Premium. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Join Shane's Facebook Group. Hosted by Shane Waters. Listen to his other crime podcast Mystery Inc, or his history podcast Hometown History! Our Sponsors: * Check out Kensington Publishing: https://www.kensingtonbooks.com * Check out Mood and use my code SHANE for a great deal: https://mood.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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New York: Hazel Drew Murder Mysteries
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