Category Archives: Suicide

November 30, 1958: Former deputy strangles wife, kills himself as police close in

Posted on November 30, 2008 by lmharnisch

This is one of those stories where I wouldn’t change a word. We can only speculate as to who the anonymous rewrite man was, but he did a first-class job. All I can say is the obvious, which is that … Continue reading →

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San Marino woman commits suicide, September 29, 1958

Posted on September 29, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, pro baseball players shatter youngsters’ illusions by refusing to sign autographs. I guess Pat Brown can rule out an endorsement from The Times. Such was the state of political cartoons at The Times before the arrival of Paul Conrad.

Posted in Dodgers, Front Pages, Sports, Suicide | 4 Comments

Couple found dead in pool, August 23, 1958

Posted on August 23, 2008 by lmharnisch

August 23, 1958 We’re parked outside the home at 322 Arbolada Drive, Arcadia. It’s early morning and everything is quiet. Nice place, isn’t it? Built in 1951. You’d never guess, but one spring day a few years ago, a college … Continue reading →

Posted in @news, Suicide | 1 Comment

Actress attempts suicide at home of movie star, August 1958

Posted on August 14, 2008 by lmharnisch

A young actress and model takes an overdose of sleeping pills at the home of Mickey Rooney, August 1958
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Lovers’ death pact at downtown hotel

Posted on July 29, 2008 by lmharnisch

  The Hotel Ramona on Spring Street.   I stumbled across this story while researching something else and it’s too good not to post. From The Times, Dec, 28, 1891. Email me

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Carole Landis–RIP

Posted on July 7, 2008 by lmharnisch

  Photograph by the Los Angeles Times Carole Landis, July 27, 1937 Form 3.11 (Revised 10-3-47) DEAD BODY REPORT Type SUICIDE DR No. 486 592 Victim SCHMIDLAPP, Carole Landis (Mrs.) Residence Address 1465 Capri Dr., Pac Pal. Business Address Eagle … Continue reading →

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July 7, 1908

Posted on July 7, 2008 by lmharnisch

e have a bounty of news today. Above, Mexican troops put down an insurrection in the state of Coahuila. And turmoil in the Mideast. At left, Mayor Harper urges Democratic presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan to accept Capt. Eugene Merrick … Continue reading →

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Carole Landis–RIP

Posted on July 5, 2008 by lmharnisch

I discovered something interesting in trying to enhance this photo.   I was fiddling around with the contrast and brightness when the labels suddenly became readable — at least the larger type. Imagine my surprise. (No, I didn’t salvage this … Continue reading →

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Carole Landis–RIP

Posted on July 5, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, the photo of Carole Landis published in The Times. omeone was kind enough to send me a scan of this photo. Here are the items on the bathroom counter: a book of matches, a comb and several bottles. It’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, LAPD, Suicide | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Carole Landis–RIP

Posted on July 5, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, the Carole Landis crime scene photo as it was published in The Times, July 6, 1948. nce again, here are our two detectives, John Laymen and Emmett Jones, looking at poor old Carole Landis on the bathroom floor. I … Continue reading →

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Carole Landis–RIP

Posted on July 4, 2008 by lmharnisch

Photograph by the Los Angeles Times Here’s the overall shot again. So far nobody has mentioned the item almost in the center of the photograph. A piano bench and an old movie script. Voila! At first I thought it was … Continue reading →

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Carole Landis–RIP

Posted on July 4, 2008 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times file photo Let’s break down the photograph by segments. First, we’ll  inventory everything on and around the bureau. Starting from the left, here’s the camera. I’ll leave to the experts to determine the precise model. My first … Continue reading →

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Carole Landis–RIP

Posted on July 3, 2008 by lmharnisch

Photograph by the Los Angeles Times Detectives John M. Laymen, top, and Emmett Jones examine the body of actress Carole Landis in a bathroom (one of four) at her home at 1465 Capri Drive, July 5, 1948. Below, the approximate … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, LAPD, Suicide | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

May 27, 1908

Posted on May 27, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, time to start planning summer getaways to Tahoe … At left, fruit peddler Leonardo Vett, accused, along with his wife, of stealing diamonds from local jewelry shops. "Vett looks like a Jew but says he is an Italian," The … Continue reading →

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May 21, 1958

Posted on May 21, 2008 by lmharnisch

At left, Nicholas Aloysius Adamshock changes his name to Nick Adams … Makeup man Percival "Perc" Westmore attempts suicide …  Kim Novak bids a private farewell to the Dominican Republic’s Gen. Rafael Trujillo Jr. during a goodbye bash in his … Continue reading →

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May 14, 1909

Posted on May 14, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, the drama of daily life in early 20th century Los Angeles. Please point out this story to anyone who thinks the past was a "kinder, simpler time." Below, the attempted rape of 13-year-old Neruda Nielson after she got off … Continue reading →

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May 9, 1938

Posted on May 9, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, a bottle of Pepsi costs a nickel (71 cents USD 2007) and is worth a dime ($1.43 USD 2007) … Below,  unemployed actor and author Charles E. Royal finds another career telling tourists about City Hall in staggering detail. … Continue reading →

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April 25, 1908

Posted on April 25, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, no, I can’t find any follow-up stories and it would be interesting to know what happened. Below, Los Angeles says goodbye to the Great White Fleet. Many people spend the night on the beach so they can see the … Continue reading →

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April 13, 1938

Posted on April 13, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, the Jewish community of Vienna struggles to survive under the Nazis. Below, the trial of Police Capt. Earle Kynette begins in the Harry Raymond bombing and Kynette arrives in court having transformed his appearance … Former City Atty. Erwin … Continue reading →

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April 12, 1938

Posted on April 12, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, Yiddish theater in Los Angeles! Below, the Harry Raymond bombing case is about to go to trial. Prosecutors say they plan to seek the death penalty … The bishop of Los Angeles has a Holy Week message on the … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, City Hall, Downtown, Front Pages, LAPD, Religion, Robberies, San Fernando Valley, Stage, Suicide | Tagged , , | 1 Comment