There is a great biography on Thelma called 'Hot Toddy' - it includes the death pic and more. It is written by Andy Edmonds I believe (read it years ago)
So - what's the general consensus? Do most of you think it's a mob hit, a lover's spat or just a drunken accident?
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
Mob hit.
make that 3 def mob hit
Mob hit.
Yeah, me too. At least that makes for the best scandal and storyline...
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
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Last edited by Northern Lights; 01-28-2010 at 11:55 AM. Reason: Deleted empty posts, pictures disappeared.
She was a beauty no Doubt such a tragic end thanks for sharing the photos Northernlights.
I honestly think that Thelma was prettier than Jean Harlow. Sacrilege, I know, but it's true.
we are going with Mob hit on this one??? And I must say what a glam death scene pic!!!! The fur the hair the makeup!!!!!! Poor Hot toddy!
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
Great pictures. With her dimples, she reminds me of Kirsten Dunst.
she was just breathtaking
This story always bothers me for lack of info strange strange circumstances
I didn't answer but I think Mob hit too.
Because of her restaurant.
1935
in 2009
KELT' HOME FOR WAYWARD YOUTH-
Helping Young Men To Turn Around For Over Twenty Years !
Oh I have seen her place in person I just didn't realize it!! We were driving by at night... I will have to be more observant next time I am en route on PCH
I think it was a mob hit. no doubt.
I'm so glad Thelma's building is still there. Every time I would drive by the place, I always wanted to go inside and check it out. Does anyone know which house is hers behind it?
Cindy
Such a facinating story ..... still think it was a mafia hit, considering her drink driving or crashes history- surely a car crash would have been more believable than death by accident/suicide?
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Why Would the mafia be interested in Thelma Todd, what are the theories?
[quote=erictheking97;1071484]Why Would the mafia be interested in Thelma Todd, what are the theories?[/quote
Lucky Luciano wanted to use the top floor storage attic and open a illegal gambling casino...and the rumor goes she told him "over her dead body" he wanted her hollywood friends up there to lose all there money
mmmm very interesting, thank you both for the replies
The autopsy shots are awful....I saw them on some mafia show they had two shots one of her on her side all makeup washed off and the y insion cleary visable...
I'm reading his book titled The Black Dahlia Files. Here is what he says I thought you might want to know. He grew up in Beverly Hills on the wrong side of the tracks. His mother later married movie producer Jeffery Bernered. Wolfe's grandma lived in the chauffeur's cottage attached to the garage. Granny's boyfriend was Vernon Hamilton,who was a former assisstant DA in LA.He resigned in 1938 along with LA District Atty. Buron Fitts.
Fitts insisted that Thelma's death was caused by suicide by asphyxation, her autopsy report said that she had been badly beaten, her nose was smashed,bruises all over he body,two broken ribs,and her teeth knocked loose and chipped.
Everyone thought that Lucky Luciano had done it, but it was proven that he was in Hot Springs Arkanas at the time she was killed.
Thelma married Pat DeCico a mob associate in July 1932, and one of his friends was Bugsy Siegel. Well,as you all said. They were using Thelma's Cafe for gambling and she didn't like it. She divorced DiCico in 1935 and she tried to evict him from the place.When she did she began getting threats and told she best cooperate with the gangsters. On December 11 she made the mistake of going to DA Buron Fitts against them. She didn't know he was in their pocket.
Saturday Dec 14, She went to a party,shortly after midnight the headwaiter told her that a gentlemen wanted to see her in the office. She abruptly left the party. Her chauffer drove her home and said he put her car in the garage. Two days later she was found dead as you know.
Well, it seems like Vernon talked to Wolfe's granny when they were drunk, and Vern said it was Bugsy who had talked to Thelma. Seeing as he was drunk most of the time and hanging out with granny and Wolfe, being a kid picked up on some things. That Vernon was mob connected and Bugsy's lawyer. When Wolfe's mother remarried they moved to 803 North Roxbury Drive & Bugsy & Virginia Hill lived behind them 810 South Linden Drive. Vern had a key and looked after the house when they went out of town. Thats what he said..
mob hit
i wonder if her building is haunted
What a beautiful building. I have never seen it before till now. Thanks Kelt.
HOT Toddy is right... beautiful woman...such a shame she was murdered
That's fascinating!! That Pat DiCicco was well connected with Lucky Luciano and Bugsy. I have always thought it was a mob hit. Los Angeles was so dirty in those days that you could get away with anything for the right price or the right connections. Thanks for a great post!
I think it was a mob hit and I think Roland West Knew who did it. and he took it to his grave after his divorce Roland Married Lola Lane. I'm working on getting a headstone for Lola's sister Rosemary Lane she's buried next to Roland at Forest Lawn Glendale. I know some of the family and the lane biographer they won't say one word about Roland... and he was in the family a long time. He was married to Lola til his death.
This case has ALWAYS fascinated me! I have always believed it was a murder. If West did not do it then it was a mob hit (ie Luciano, Bugsy). I just wish it wasn't covered up, cowards. Have they ever done any paranormal investigations in the cafe? Is her home/garage still standing to do any there? Any evps?
Is there anything occupying the old building that the sidewalk cafe used to be in?
What I don't get is why when someone is suspected of being murdered they cremate the body? I just started to read Hot Toddy and her mother tells everyone that her daughter was murdered, so why cremation? This also reminds me of George Reeves, his mother also thought he was murdered but had him cremated. Did these people not know by having this done they would never find out whether they were really murdered or not?
Mob.Hit.
In the case of Thelma's mother, it was probably a case of not wanting to be next in line for a mob hit.
As for George's mother, she might have decided to let things go, as no matter the legal outcome, he would still be dead. Perhaps she didn't want the strain of a long investigation. Anyway, it's all speculative at this late date.
This is just so weird. I was reading this thread and looking at her autopsy picture when I glanced up at the T.V. and there was Thelma's face smiling back at me. Kinda creepy.
Her movie "This is the Night" is on TCM right now....
Just playing devils advocate here (I personally think she was murdered.) but, if she did die of carbon monoxide poisoning, is it possible for her to have passed out at the wheel and came forward and hit the steering wheel with such force that it knocked her front teeth out?
According to Scott and Thelma's page on FAD:
[SIZE=4]Thelma was still gussied up in her Saturday night outfit of silk and tulle dress, mink coat and diamond jewellery. Her high-heeled sandals were perfectly clean, although when a policewoman of similar build later attempted to climb the steps up from the Highway, her sandals were dirty. Her lip was bruised, her face streaked with blood, her nose broken and a dental filling dislodged, but her make-up unsmudged. Her fingernails were undamaged, indicating a lack of struggle. Her blood revealed a level of alcohol inconsistent with her having been able to do much at all. One account says a .13 blood alcohol reading, and a 75-80% carbon monoxide saturation. There were beans and peas in her stomach, although none had been served at Ida Lupino's dinner.[/SIZE]
I definitely don't think it was a mob hit. Lucky could always find plenty of other places for gambling. I think it was a jilted lover.
Something I always wondered, what would be the big deal about letting Lucky Luciano use your place for gambling? I guess I'm a little more jaded than the dames back then, or gambling's much more acceptable these days, but I would let him use the place if he cut me in on a little of the action.
Of course, this is coming from a Connecticut bookie's grandaughter, who's grandfather used his newsstand/tobacco shop/lunch counter as a place to get a piece of the action. He ran the numbers on just about anything you could bet on. Until OTB put him out of business. Man, he made the best hamburgers at his lunch counter. And served soda in those little white cone-shaped cups that went into those metal holders. But, now I'm getting off topic. Sorry!
"So many faces in and out of my life. Some will last, some will just be now and then. Life is a series of Hellos and Goodbyes, I'm afraid it's time for Goodbye again. "