Podcast Title: Going West: True Crime
Host: Daphne Woolsoncroft and Heath Merryman
Episode: Who Put Bella in the Wych Elm? // 487
Release Date: March 21, 2025

Introduction

In episode 487 of Going West: True Crime, hosts Daphne Woolsoncroft and Heath Merryman delve into one of England's most enduring and enigmatic cold cases: the mysterious death of "Bella" in a wych elm tree. Despite typically focusing on American crimes, the duo makes an exception for this particularly haunting case, reminiscent of their coverage of Jack the Ripper.

Discovery of the Body

The episode begins with the chilling discovery made in April 1943. Four teenage boys—Robert Hart, Bob Farmer, Fred Payne, and Tommy Willits—while foraging for birds' nests near Hagley Wood in Birmingham, stumbled upon human remains in the hollow trunk of a wych elm tree.

Daphne (01:45): "In April of 1943, a group of teenagers walking through the woods near Birmingham, England, made a chilling discovery. Human remains hidden inside the hollow trunk of a wych elm tree."

The initial assumption was that the boys had found something innocent, like an egg, but horror soon set in as they realized the remains belonged to a woman.

Initial Investigation

Upon discovering the remains, the boys attempted to retrieve the object, believing it to be an egg. However, they soon realized it was a sun-bleached human skull with severed scalp and hair.

Daphne (04:15): "They realized in horror that it was a sun-bleached human skull and not at all an egg or some type of food."

Frightened by the gruesome finding and fearing repercussions for trespassing, the boys initially decided to keep the discovery a secret. It wasn't until Tommy Willits, overcome by guilt, informed his parents that the police were alerted the following day.

Despite the grim discovery, wartime distractions meant the case received little national attention at the time.

Details of the Victim

The victim was a petite woman, estimated to be around 5 feet tall with brown hair. Her distinctive features included crooked front teeth and possible parturition scars, though the latter were later debunked as indicators of childbirth.

Daphne (13:30): "The victim is believed to have stood at around 5ft tall and had brown hair, based on the remains pulled from the tree."

She was found wearing simple clothing, including a khaki skirt and a navy and mustard-striped woolen sweater. A fake gold wedding ring suggested she might have been unmarried.

Theories and Speculations

Early theories ranged from witchcraft to espionage, fueled by the wartime context and the discovery's peculiar nature. One prominent theory linked the case to Nazi spies, considering Birmingham's significance as an industrial hub during World War II.

Daphne (22:40): "With Birmingham's prominence as an epicenter for arms manufacturing... it's a major hub for industrial production and thus a lure for espionage."

However, these theories were later debunked, including the claim that the victim was Clarabella, the mistress of a Nazi spy, Joseph Jacobs. Extensive research showed Clarabella had died in Berlin in 1942, ruling her out as the victim.

Graffiti Messages

A year after the discovery, cryptic graffiti began appearing around the area, primarily asking, "Who put Bella in the Wych Elm?" These messages added layers of mystery and led to various speculations about the motive and identity of the perpetrator.

Daphne (19:10): "These messages achieved the author's likely desired effect, sparking renewed interest in the case and causing a ton of different rumors to swirl the countryside."

The inconsistent spelling of "Wych" and "Witch," along with varied names like "Bella," "Annabella," and "Lou Beller," further complicated the investigation, making it difficult to ascertain whether the messages were connected or the work of a single individual.

Oona Hainsworth's Revelation

In November 1953, over a decade after the initial discovery, a woman named Oona Una Hainsworth came forward with a letter claiming her ex-husband was responsible for Bella's murder. She alleged that her husband, under the influence of von Ralt—a mysterious figure possibly linked to espionage—drove Bella into the tree trunk.

Daphne (30:05): "Oona explained that her husband was involved with von Ralt, who was driving Bella to the tree trunk, believing she would 'come to her senses the following morning.'"

Despite her detailed account, including mentions of her husband's deteriorating mental state and presumed link to Nazi activities, investigators struggled to validate her claims due to the lack of records and the mysterious disappearance of Bella's remains.

Legacy and Continuing Mysteries

Over the years, numerous theories emerged, ranging from ritualistic killings linked to witchcraft to domestic violence scenarios. Books like Donald McCormick's Murder by Witchcraft explored these angles, though many lacked concrete evidence.

Daphne (35:20): "The bones were misplaced, and many of the records, having only been maintained for 15 years, were destroyed."

Modern efforts to solve the case have been hampered by the loss of crucial evidence. Facial reconstructions and renewed interest from descendants like Gigi Jacobs have kept the mystery alive, but definitive answers remain elusive.

Daphne (48:40): "Andrew Spark... alleges that Bella must have been no more than five feet tall was wrong. Police eliminated a number of women reported missing between 1938 and 1942..."

Conclusion

Daphne reflects on the frustrations of investigating historical cases without the technological advancements of today. The disappearance of Bella's remains and the inconsistencies in the evidence leave the case shrouded in mystery.

Daphne (49:30): "Frustratingly, we may never know Bella's identity, who killed her, or what happened to her in the final moment of her life and why she was stuffed into a hollow tree trunk."

The episode underscores the enduring allure of unsolved mysteries and the challenges faced by investigators both then and now.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Daphne (01:45): "In April of 1943, a group of teenagers walking through the woods near Birmingham, England, made a chilling discovery. Human remains hidden inside the hollow trunk of a wych elm tree."

• Daphne (04:15): "They realized in horror that it was a sun-bleached human skull and not at all an egg or some type of food."

• Daphne (13:30): "The victim is believed to have stood at around 5ft tall and had brown hair, based on the remains pulled from the tree."

• Daphne (19:10): "These messages achieved the author's likely desired effect, sparking renewed interest in the case and causing a ton of different rumors to swirl the countryside."

• Daphne (22:40): "With Birmingham's prominence as an epicenter for arms manufacturing... it's a major hub for industrial production and thus a lure for espionage."

• Daphne (30:05): "Oona explained that her husband was involved with von Ralt, who was driving Bella to the tree trunk, believing she would 'come to her senses the following morning.'"

• Daphne (35:20): "The bones were misplaced, and many of the records, having only been maintained for 15 years, were destroyed."

• Daphne (48:40): "Andrew Spark... alleges that Bella must have been no more than five feet tall was wrong. Police eliminated a number of women reported missing between 1938 and 1942..."

• Daphne (49:30): "Frustratingly, we may never know Bella's identity, who killed her, or what happened to her in the final moment of her life and why she was stuffed into a hollow tree trunk."

Final Thoughts

The Going West: True Crime episode on Bella's mysterious death in the wych elm tree presents a comprehensive exploration of an unsolved case fraught with intrigue, misdirection, and lingering questions. Daphne and Heath successfully weave together historical context, investigative dead-ends, and enduring suspicions, providing listeners with a thorough understanding of why "Who Put Bella in the Wych Elm?" remains a captivating mystery to this day.