Stuff You Should Know: "The Murder of Jane Stanford" (February 24, 2026)

Episode Overview

In this True Crime Murder Mystery edition, hosts Josh and Chuck dive deep into the mysterious and unsolved 1905 death of Jane Stanford, co-founder of Stanford University. Long shrouded by rumor, cover-ups, and institutional myth, Jane Stanford’s demise raises questions about power, legacy, toxic ambition—and perhaps the perfect crime. The episode weaves together the Gilded Age origin story of Stanford University, Jane's challenging personality, and the tangled web of suspects, culminating in an exploration of modern attempts to finally solve her murder.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Stage: Who Was Jane Stanford?

[01:51–04:26]

• Jane Stanford, Gilded Age heiress from Albany, NY, married to Leland Stanford, one of the infamous railroad robber barons.
• Described as “the prototypical Gilded Age wife… sort of entertaining, keeping up with large residences when you have tons of money,” but later a “very demanding lead trustee at Stanford…a micromanager.” (Chuck, 03:47)
• She was “very definite” about her ideas for Stanford and “had the money to back it up.” (Josh, 04:30)

2. Leland Stanford & the University's Origins

[04:39–15:19]

• Leland Stanford, a store owner who made his fortune by "selling shovels, not prospecting," became one of the “Big Four” railroad barons, amassing significant wealth through questionable practices.
  • “The Stanfords made their money in very questionable ways...some guy fails upward and becomes super, super wealthy.” (Josh, 07:05–08:17)
• The tragic death of their only son, Leland Jr., at age 15, led to the couple's embrace of spiritualism and, eventually, the founding of Stanford University.
• Founding stories differ: did the idea come to Leland in a dream, or was it relayed via a séance?
  • “I want to make it a co-ed school… not associated with a church, non-denominational Christian school.” (Chuck, 15:18–15:32)
  • Notably, tuition was free at founding and the university welcomed a diverse pool of students.

3. Jane’s Grip on Stanford & Internal Friction

[18:29–24:53]

• Jane Stanford exerted enormous control as sole surviving founder after Leland Sr.’s death.
• Capped women’s enrollment at 500 despite promoting co-education, in part to avoid it becoming a “women’s college.”
  • “She also stuck with that [cap]… I don’t think it was until the 30s where they finally were like, we can’t just keep it at 500.” (Josh, 24:29)
• Friction with university president David Starr Jordan (“pretty gross views on things,” including eugenics and scientific racism, a "vocal pacifist" for racist reasons—19:17–20:07), over the university’s direction between liberal arts and science/research.

4. The Deteriorating Relationship with Staff

[11:14–13:05, 25:41–27:10]

• Critical figure: her personal secretary, Bertha Berner—extremely close, overworked, and ultimately a major beneficiary in the will.
  • “She would be with her until the day she died. Put a pin in that.” (Chuck, 12:29)
  • Berner received $15,000 ($500k in today’s money), much more than other staff.
• Jane’s micromanagement extended to direct influence over faculty appointments and firings, resulting in a public scandal about academic freedom.

5. The Murders: Two Attempts

[27:10–32:05]

Attempt 1 — January 1905, San Francisco:

• Jane’s nightstand water tasted strange; she had herself vomit, had Berner taste it, and sent it to the pharmacy—found to contain rat poison (strychnine).
• After confirmation, Jane retreated to Hawaii for safety.

Attempt 2 — February 28, 1905, Honolulu:

• While staying at the Moana Hotel, Jane fell ill after ingesting baking soda and water prepared by Berner.
• Local doctor recognized signs of classic strychnine poisoning; Jane died ~30 minutes after the onset of symptoms.
  • Notable quote: “Her last words were, ‘This is a horrible death to die.’” (Chuck, 32:42)

6. The Cover-Up & Aftermath

[32:48–39:48]

• David Starr Jordan rushed to Hawaii with a trustee, aiming to "control the narrative," as did two investigators hired by the university.
• Hawaiian coroner’s jury declared it murder by poisoning after only two minutes of deliberation.
• Jordan immediately commissioned his own doctor (Waterhouse), claiming heart failure due to overeating and hysteria—not poisoning.
  • “That’s how she died. That’s basically what President Jordan came back and told the world. And it actually worked.” (Josh, 35:03–35:45)
• Jordan publicly exonerated Berner and attacked the credibility of Hawaiian authorities.

7. Modern Investigations & Continuing Mystery

[39:48–43:39]

• Official narrative held for nearly 100 years until 2003, when Stanford professor and neurologist Robert Cutler published The Mysterious Death of Jane Stanford, vindicating the original Hawaiian medical team and confirming strychnine death.
  • “You could not do a better job of handling a suspected murder poison case than these guys did in Hawaii.” (Josh, 38:33)
• Cutler suggested Berner had opportunity but not clear motive; Jordan had motive for cover-up but not the act; could they have been in cahoots?
• In 2021, Stanford historian Richard White published Who Killed Jane Stanford?, further implicating Berner:
  • Motives: faster inheritance, relief from lifelong servitude, and possible tensions in their relationship.
  • The case remains unsolved—murder, but by whose hand?

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Murder Foretold:
  • “This is Stuff You Should Know True Crime Murder Mystery Edition… we do not know who did it. Sorry, who done it.” (Josh, 01:51)
• On the Gilded Age legacy:
  • “It’s such a great example of American myth making where some guy just basically fails upward… and then very shortly… becomes lionized as this… builder of America.” (Josh, 07:05)
• Stanford’s Founding Spirit:
  • “I want to make it a co-ed school… not associated with a church.” (Chuck, 15:18)
• On Strychnine's Effects:
  • “Strychnine interferes with your nerve receptors…you’re having massive, violent, involuntary muscle clenching…Jane was following these.” (Josh, 31:10)
• Jane’s Alleged Last Words:
  • "This is a horrible death to die." (Chuck, 32:42)
• On the Cover-Up:
  • “The reason he [Jordan] was a pacifist… war promoted racial degradation, because you send the fittest young men off to die, that leaves the weak to stay home and procreate and it degenerates the race or society back home.” (Josh, 19:38–20:07)
  • “He was a white man in a prominent position, and people just listened to him...” (Josh, 35:45)
• Ultimate Unsolvability:
  • “Probably never be solved. Jordan continued to work there as university president until 1913. Berner lived pretty well…until she died in 1945.” (Chuck, 43:03)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Background on Jane & Leland Stanford: 01:51–09:50
• Spiritualism & Founding of Stanford: 09:50–15:19
• Early Years & University Politics: 15:19–24:53
• Jane’s Micromanagement & Scandals: 24:53–27:10
• Poisoning Attempts: 27:10–32:05
  • First Attempt (San Francisco, rat poison): 27:10–28:41
  • Second Attempt (Hawaii, fatal): 30:15–32:05
• Death & Cover-up: 32:42–39:48
• Modern Takes & Continuing Mystery: 39:48–43:39

Conclusion

The case of Jane Stanford’s death remains one of the most chilling unsolved murders in American academic history. The episode artfully exposes how power, money, and legacy can warp the pursuit of justice—and how century-old cover-ups can withstand even modern scrutiny. Through snappy banter, historical context, and a healthy dose of cynicism about Gilded Age myth-making, Josh and Chuck invite listeners to consider whether the truth will ever out or whether the murder of Jane Stanford is truly a mystery for the ages.

Further Listening:
If you’re fascinated by unsolved mysteries, university intrigue, or American history through a true crime lens, check out other Stuff You Should Know episodes on the Gilded Age, spiritualism, and historical cover-ups.