The Investigation
The fire chief was completely stunned by the scene that he found. All of the electrical outlets were working fine, though most were slightly melted. The switch that was nearest to where Mary had been was completely melted and not working. An electric clock in the room had stopped at 4:20, but when it was plugged in at Pansy's apartment it worked fine. The facts of the case were quickly released to the papers.
The corner where Mary's body was found was hot enough to destroy Mary's body and most of the chair, but the paint on the wall behind her was not cracked or scorched.
The living room rug was burned only underneath where the chair had been.
Soot and smoke blackened the upper walls and ceiling of the room, but there was no evidence of smoke near the floor or below table level.
Light switches melted and buckled, but outlets a few feet lower on walls were intact and working.
Candles on a windowsill near the hot corner had melted, but their wicks remained upright in the holders.
A pile of newspapers on a water heater immediately behind the hot corner were not damaged.
Bed sheets a few feet away were not burned, smoke damaged, or even dirty.
All electricity to the kitchen was off.
Wall mounted gas heater was secured and off.
Different theories began to spread about the cause of the fire. One of the more prominent was that Mary had been struck by lightning. Shortly after her death, police received an unsigned letter that was addressed to the "Cheif of Detectiffs" which said "a ball of fire came through the open window and hit her. I seen it happen." Another theory was that her body must have been soaked in ether and/or alcohol.
The fire chief was completely stunned by the scene that he found. All of the electrical outlets were working fine, though most were slightly melted. The switch that was nearest to where Mary had been was completely melted and not working. An electric clock in the room had stopped at 4:20, but when it was plugged in at Pansy's apartment it worked fine. The facts of the case were quickly released to the papers.
The corner where Mary's body was found was hot enough to destroy Mary's body and most of the chair, but the paint on the wall behind her was not cracked or scorched.
The living room rug was burned only underneath where the chair had been.
Soot and smoke blackened the upper walls and ceiling of the room, but there was no evidence of smoke near the floor or below table level.
Light switches melted and buckled, but outlets a few feet lower on walls were intact and working.
Candles on a windowsill near the hot corner had melted, but their wicks remained upright in the holders.
A pile of newspapers on a water heater immediately behind the hot corner were not damaged.
Bed sheets a few feet away were not burned, smoke damaged, or even dirty.
All electricity to the kitchen was off.
Wall mounted gas heater was secured and off.
Different theories began to spread about the cause of the fire. One of the more prominent was that Mary had been struck by lightning. Shortly after her death, police received an unsigned letter that was addressed to the "Cheif of Detectiffs" which said "a ball of fire came through the open window and hit her. I seen it happen." Another theory was that her body must have been soaked in ether and/or alcohol.
Investigation
On July 7th, 1951, the St. Petersburg Police sent 14 pieces of evidence to the FBI laboratory for review. Included in the evidence were glass fragments, six small objects believed to be teeth, metal from near the body, fibers from what they believed was Mary's nightgown, bone fragments, cotton from the chair, charred wood, charred legs from end table, a piece of the rug, unburned section of rug "heavily soaked with greasy substance", ashes, shoe, and chair springs.
Interestingly enough, J. Edgar Hoover was directly involved with the investigation into Mary's death. J.R. Reichert, Chief of Police specifically requested that the FBI provide any information or theories into how a human body could be so destroyed and the fire contained to such a small area with so little damage done to the building and furniture in the room.
On July 31st, 1951, the long awaited FBI report was released. The results were that no accelerants were found, and the greasy substance submitted was body fat. They stated the lack of widespread damage in the apartment was most likely due to the fire smoldering rather than burning. The hot air rose and formed a layer which never came into contact with the items below the 4' level. The FBI believed that the piece of metal found near the body was most likely the remains of a cigarette lighter. The final result of the report was that Mary most likely accidentally lit herself on fire while smoking a cigarette.
On July 7th, 1951, the St. Petersburg Police sent 14 pieces of evidence to the FBI laboratory for review. Included in the evidence were glass fragments, six small objects believed to be teeth, metal from near the body, fibers from what they believed was Mary's nightgown, bone fragments, cotton from the chair, charred wood, charred legs from end table, a piece of the rug, unburned section of rug "heavily soaked with greasy substance", ashes, shoe, and chair springs.
Interestingly enough, J. Edgar Hoover was directly involved with the investigation into Mary's death. J.R. Reichert, Chief of Police specifically requested that the FBI provide any information or theories into how a human body could be so destroyed and the fire contained to such a small area with so little damage done to the building and furniture in the room.
On July 31st, 1951, the long awaited FBI report was released. The results were that no accelerants were found, and the greasy substance submitted was body fat. They stated the lack of widespread damage in the apartment was most likely due to the fire smoldering rather than burning. The hot air rose and formed a layer which never came into contact with the items below the 4' level. The FBI believed that the piece of metal found near the body was most likely the remains of a cigarette lighter. The final result of the report was that Mary most likely accidentally lit herself on fire while smoking a cigarette.
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The Wick Effect
The wick effect is the most current explanation for cases of spontaneous human combustion (SHC). Basically, after a person has caught fire they are kept burning from their own fat. The clothing on the body acts as the wick, sort of like an inside out candle. Because it is normally a slow burn, nothing else other than items in the immediate area are affected.
I have to believe that the FBI got it right and Mary's death was caused by a combination of sedatives and falling asleep with a lit cigarette. However, I have so many unanswered questions. Can someone be so passed out that they won't wake up even when they're on fire? If she did wake up on fire why didn't Pansy hear her scream? If the thud that Pansy heard around 5am was Mary's remains hitting the floor, is it possible for practically her entire body to be reduced to ash in a period of only 3-4 hours?
The wick effect is the most current explanation for cases of spontaneous human combustion (SHC). Basically, after a person has caught fire they are kept burning from their own fat. The clothing on the body acts as the wick, sort of like an inside out candle. Because it is normally a slow burn, nothing else other than items in the immediate area are affected.
I have to believe that the FBI got it right and Mary's death was caused by a combination of sedatives and falling asleep with a lit cigarette. However, I have so many unanswered questions. Can someone be so passed out that they won't wake up even when they're on fire? If she did wake up on fire why didn't Pansy hear her scream? If the thud that Pansy heard around 5am was Mary's remains hitting the floor, is it possible for practically her entire body to be reduced to ash in a period of only 3-4 hours?
π1
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Definition of love by one of the legendary absurd writers; Charles Bukowski
Love is fog that burns away with first day light of reality
Love is fog that burns away with first day light of reality
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Scottish Rite fourth degree apron "Z "π https://www.freemasoncollection.com/10-SCOTTISH-RITE-REGALIA/SCOTTISH-RITE-REGALIA-4-DEGREE.php
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4th Degree: Secret Master. Duty, reflection and study are the gateway to opportunity, as such one honors those relationships to God, family, country and Masonry. The apron of the 4th degree is white and black, with a letter βZβ and all-seeing eye. The jewel of this degree is an ivory key with the letter βZβ on the wards. The teachings: secrecy, obedience and fidelity. http://www.phoenixmasonry.org/AASR_1884_/4th_degree_secret_master.htm
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