EPISODE · Sep 7, 2022 · 7 MIN
New York: Probing Hazel Drew's Death
from Foul Play: A Historical True Crime Podcast · host Shane L. Waters, Wendy Cee, Gemma Hoskins
Probing the dark waters surrounding Hazel Drew, investigators faced... Episode two of New York: Probing Hazel Drew's Death takes listeners deeper into the enigma of Sand Lake's renowned mystery, as Season 12 continues unveiling the intricacies of a tale cemented in both local folklore and modern curiosity. Hazel Drew was more than a tragic figure; her life was replete with the ambitions and joys of a young woman working through societal expectations at the turn of the century. Her death sparked intrigue and fear, a reflection of the hidden and often grim realities of early 1900s America, when new freedoms occasionally clashed with old mores. Scrutinizing the investigation's efforts, listeners will grasp the challenges faced by detectives stifled by limited investigative resources and prevalent societal prejudices. The absence of substantial leads and forensic technology meant Hazel's case became a horizon for conjecture and speculation. Uncovering community secrets and hearsay, the investigation presents a breadth of theories, from rumored affairs to clandestine dealings, each as compelling as the next. We examine into the mysteries atmosphere surrounding Hazel's untimely demise, where old-world secrets met new age crimes, examining truths that remain elusive to this day. --- 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: Probing Hazel Drew's Death
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