Linda hazzard, the starvation doctor talk murder with me. In 1911 two wealthy british heiresses, claire and dora williamson, came to a sanitorium in the forests of the pacific northwest to undergo the revolutionary fasting treatment of dr. But within a month of arriving at what the locals called starvation. Linda burfield hazzard december 18, 1867 june 24, 1938, nicknamed the starvation doctor was an american quack, fraud, and swindler noted for her promotion of fasting as a treatment. The story of their decline and claires death is told in the book. The doctor who starved her patients to death history.
Starvation heights a true story of murder and malice in. Claire and her younger sister, dora, had set out to try out hazzards fasting and health institution. She lay in bed for weeks, drinking only a thin broth, in the same house where shed starved claire williamson to death and in 1938, linda hazzard died of hunger, the final victim of her starvation cure. The story of starvation heights south sound magazine. May 03, 2005 in this true storya haunting saga of medical murder set in an era of steamships and gaslightsgregg olsen reveals one of the most unusual and disturbing criminal cases in american history. They ordered it and also received her brochure promoting her institute of natural therapeutics in. The story behind this evil place in washington will make. They are there to try out the drs revolutionary fasting treatment, yet within a month the two sisters are emaciated and very ill. Oct 28, 2014 the doctor who starved her patients to death linda hazzard killed as many as a dozen people in the early 20th century, and they paid willingly for it. You can never be too thin or too rich, the old saying goes, but that was not the case for english heiress claire williamson. Hazzard is the subject of a nonfiction book, starvation heights. Probably the best known of hazzards victims were british sisters claire and dorothea williamson.
Two months after starting treatment, dorothea and claire each weighed about 70 pounds. You will begin your experience, much as dora and claire williamson did 100 years previously, with a nice dinner prepared in the style of dr. Linda hazzard was named executor of the deceased claire s estate and was now doras guardian. In her note, she exaggerated her sisters illness somewhat. Claire was given to overstating matters and emotions. Linda burfield hazzard, requesting the doctors book, fasting for the cure of disease. Starvation heights brevard county library overdrive. Dr linda laura burfield hazzard 18671938 find a grave. Linda burfield hazzard was the first doctor in the united states to earn a medical degree as a fasting specialist.
Why i believe in starvation as a cure for all bodily ills. They were not the first victims of linda hazzard, a quack doctor of. Linda hazzard, fasting for the cure of disease which you can read online while staying at the empress hotel in victoria, british columbia, sisters claire and dorothea dora williamson saw a newspaper advertisement for linda hazzard s book. Claire and dora were not the first victims of linda hazzard. All with the help of a selfproclaimed doctor named linda burfield hazzard, whose starvation cure may have been most effective in producing a ghost or two. Mar 18, 2020 the british viceconsul in tacoma, washington pressured kitsap county to prosecute linda hazzard. This volume is a text, written for other doctors, by linda burfield hazzard, a quack doctor, scam artist, and murderer. Here is the story of one such quack whose fasting therapy resulted in many deaths, a story that is so bizarre and horrific that its hard to. Linda burfield hazzard, who sold them on the idea of fasting as a cure for their minor ailments. Hazzard s book fasting for the cure to disease and believed it was their path to true health.
It is 1911 and wealthy british heiresses claire and dora williamson check themselves in to a sanitorium ran by dr. In olalla, washington, in 1911, claire and dora williamson, two wealthy british sisters on holiday in the united states, were bamboozled by a dr. Linda hazzard and her horrific path to health in september 1910 claire williamson glanced down at a newspaper and caught. Starvation heights, linda hazzard, olalla, fasting for the cure of disease. In 1911, british heiresses claire and dora williamson came to wilderness heights to follow the cure. Some saw linda hazzard as a woman ahead of her time. Linda hazzard therapeutic fasting practitioner and osteopath. Fasting had heretofore been considered a quack medical cure, popular with health faddists of the time. Linda burfield hazzard was hungry for riches, so she. Claire and her younger sister, dora, had set out to try out hazzard s fasting and health institution.
They detailed the horrific treatment, on par with torture, that the sisters endured at the hands of hazzard. In 1912, she was convicted of manslaughter for the death of claire williamson, a wealthy british woman, who weighed less than 50. Linda hazzard murderpedia, the encyclopedia of murderers. When they said they couldnt afford it, dorothea williamson offered to pay for it. The book covers the death of claire williamson in great detail.
Starvation heights is sensational and is a story about murder, theft, coercion, corruption, conspiracy, botched medical treatments, bigamy, and more. Earl edward erdman died of starvation under the supervision of linda hazzard in. History is replete with doctors who practiced quackery. A true story of murder and malice in the woods of the pacific northwest paperback may 3, 2005. During her medical career, hazzard wrote two books about what she claimed to be the science. During lindas trial, it was revealed that shed forged claire s will and other stolen her valuablessomething she apparently did for several other patients. She was imprisoned by the state of washington for a number of deaths resulting from this at a sanitarium she operated there in the early 20th century. Linda burfield hazzard, the starvation doctor, is sure she will get ball today and be released. In 1911 two wealthy british heiresses, claire and dora williamson, arrived at a sanitorium in the forests of the pacific northwest to undergo the revolutionary fasting treatment of dr. But when claire williamson died while staying with hazzard, her childhood nurse came to investigate and found that claire had only weighed 50. The story behind this evil place in washington will make your.
They had always been interested in natural healing and had eagerly followed every new fad. Linda burfield hazzard s fasting for the cure of disease, british heiresses claire and dora williamson arrived in hazzard institute in 1911 and were met with a regimen of fasting, broths, enemas and exercise. Those who like the true crime genre will especially enjoy this book about a bizarre murder. She had money, property and jewels, but in the winter of 1910 she fell. The wealthy and unmarried sisters, with plenty of time on their hands. One of the most interesting parts about this book was the relationship between the married couple, which to the public appeared to be pretty unpleasant. They sought out linda hazzard in seattle and later were patients in her sanitarium. Oct 26, 2006 dorothea and claire williamson, two sisters in their early 30s, were rich. In august 1911, linda hazzard was arrested for the murder of claire williamson. In 1911 two wealthy british heiresses, claire and dora williamson, came to a sanitorium. Linda hazzard and her way of think is done in exact detail.
Sisters claire and dora williamson saw linda hazzards ad in the seattle times while visiting victoria b. But as their jewelry disappeared and forged bank drafts began transferring their wealth to hazzards accounts, the sisters came to learn that hazzard would stop at nothing short of murder to achieve her ambitions. Oct 23, 2019 the authorities werent motivated to go after hazzard until the death of a third person, claire williamson, a wealthy british woman whose family paid the countys prosecuting attorney to take on. Linda hazzard published a book in 1908 that started it all fasting for the cure of disease promoting fasting as a cure for virtually every ailment, including cancer. The book explains in medical terms her theory that all disease states are caused by waste products caused by eating, even in very thin people. Linda hazzard catered by essences of thyme from port. This is the story that inspired the nonfiction book starvation heights by gregg olsen, which details the troubling ways linda would attempt to control her victims for her own gain. Linda burfield hazzard in the forest of the pacific northwest. Starvation heights in 1911 two wealthy british heiresses, claire and dora williamson, came to a sanitorium in the forests of the pacific northwest to undergo the revolutionary fasting treatment of dr. The second book hazzard wrote was scientific fasting. In 1908, she selfpublished her book, fasting for the cure of disease.
Her treatments were responsible for at least 15 deaths. During linda s trial, it was revealed that shed forged claire s will and other stolen her valuablessomething she apparently did. The jury heard testimony from nurses who worked for hazzard. Linda hazzard killed as many as a dozen people in the early 20th century. True crime brewery listen via stitcher for podcasts. In 1911 two wealthy british heiresses, claire and dora williamson, arrived at a sanitori. A true story of murder and malice in the woods of the pacific northwest kindle edition by olsen, gregg. It was supposed to be a holiday for the two sisters, but within a month of. Starvation heights oregon digital library consortium. British sisters named claire and dorothea known as dora williamson, the.
Hazzards institute of natural therapeutics was located in olalla, washington and the williamson sisters became her official patients in february 1911 after traveling to seattle from their home in australia. Hazzard tapped into that vein with her book fasting for the cure of disease. The british viceconsul in tacoma, washington pressured kitsap county to prosecute linda hazzard. The british hypochondriacs had financial control of a large estate. But within a month of arriving at what the locals called starvation heights, the women were emaciated shadows of their former selves. Claire and dorothea dora williamson were wealthy british sisters who could. Claire and dora williamson, arrived at a sanitorium in the forests of the pacific northwest to undergo the revolutionary fasting treatment of dr. With little medical training and no scientific basis for her treatments, dr. Samuel hazzard was also donned doras power of attorney. The author of the book was linda burfield hazzard and not only did she have a written guide to offer, but she had a place.
By the time claire died, she weighed fewer than fifty pounds. Apr 01, 1997 they were so eager to check in and become patients, but didnt know that dr linda hazzard would try to kill them, not by fasting, but by placing them on a starvation diet that would weaken and terrify them. It was the 1912 death of british aristocrat claire williamson that brought about linda s downfall. There, instead of receiving medical attention, the wealthy sisters were tortured, starved, and robbed of their inheritance. While visiting victoria bc, they read an advertisement for lindas book in a seattle newspaper. It was supposed to be a holiday for the two sisters, but within a month of arriving at what the locals called starvation heights, the women underwent brutal treatments and were emaciated shadows of their former selves. However, i found that some parts were very dry and not really worthy of inclusion in this book such as the great details about the lifes of the williamson sisters before the starvation treatment. Hazzard carried on in this manner unchallenged until she met the williamson. People actually used to pay this woman to starve them to death. In this true storya haunting saga of medical murder set in an era of steamships and gaslightsgregg olsen reveals one of the most unusual and disturbing criminal cases in american history. But within a month of arriving at what the locals called starvation heights, the women were emaciated shadows of their former. May 20, 2011 you will begin your experience, much as dora and claire williamson did 100 years previously, with a nice dinner prepared in the style of dr. Here is the story of one such quack whose fasting therapy resulted in many deaths, a story that is so bizarre and horrific that its hard to believe it really happened, but it did.
In 1912, she was convicted of manslaughter for the death of claire williamson, a wealthy british woman, who weighed less than 50 pounds at the time of her death. Mysteriously, claire s jewelry and gowns made their way to linda s possession, and claire s gold fillings were sold for profit. Within months, the sisters were emaciated and claire died. It was a catastophic starvation diet, which lead to claire s deathnot the first victim of this quack or her sinister legal manipulations.
A loophole in a licensing law grandfathered in some practitioners of alternative medicine who. Sep 25, 2015 through his research and interviews with older olalla citizens who had been children when hazzard was in her heyday, olsen learned the heiress was claire williamson. Linda burfield hazzard, medical serial killer 1911 full text article 1 of 4. The authorities werent motivated to go after hazzard until the death of a third person, claire williamson, a wealthy british woman whose family paid the countys prosecuting attorney to take on. In 1912, hazzard was convicted of manslaughter in claire. Starvation heights indianapolis public library overdrive. They were so eager to check in and become patients, but didnt know that dr linda hazzard would try to kill them, not by fasting, but by placing them on a starvation diet that would weaken and terrify them. Although there was no indication that either of them was sick, they decided to go and take the fasting cure. It was true that dora had not been feeling well, but she was hardly knocking on deaths door.
Claire williamson had weighed just 50 pounds when she finally succumbed to hazzard s inhuman treatment, and dorothea dora williamson was just over 60 pounds pictured above when she was rescued by her family, as she was too weak to leave on her own. Apr 20, 2020 with little medical training and no scientific basis for her treatments, dr. The regular doctors hate me because i have a new method. Dorothea and claire williamson, two sisters in their early 30s, were rich. Despite her lack of a medical degree, she was licensed to practice medicine in washington. Linda burfield hazzard was an american quack doctor who put her patients on. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets.
Starvation heights digital downloads collaboration. It was supposed to be a holiday for the two sisters. The doctor who starved her patients to death linda hazzard killed as many as a dozen people in the early 20th century, and they paid willingly for it. Hazzard, a woman of extraordinary evil and greed who would stop at nothing to achieve her ambitions. Starvation heights fort vancouver regional library district. The curious case of claire and dora williamson books, books. In 1911 two wealthy british heiresses, claire and dora williams. The story of their decline and claire s death is told in the book starvation heights by gregg olsen. As olallabased author gregg olsen explains in his book starvation. Linda hazzard while staying at the empress hotel in victoria, british columbia, sisters claire and dorothea dora williamson saw a newspaper advertisement for linda hazzards book about fasting. Linda hazzard was able to attract many wealthy clients to her institute of natural therapeutics in olalla, washington.
Born 1867 in carver county, minnesota, died during a fast in 1938. Claire and dora were not the first victims of linda hazzard, a quack doctor of extraordinary evil and greed. This is their story, including the famous court case against dr hazzard. Dorothea and claire williamson, wealthy sisters from england, read dr. Sisters dora and claire williamson, wealthy british heiresses, took a detour of their 1911 world tour to undergo treatment from dr. Patients willingly paid this doctor to starve them to death. Linda burfield hazzard december 18, 1867 june 24, 1938, nicknamed the starvation.
Starvation heights centennial 19112011 olalla, washington. I honestly tried to think of a better word to describe this book, but wow is still the one that comes to mind. Linda hazzards institute of natural therapeutics near seattle, washington. It was the 1912 death of british aristocrat claire williamson that brought about lindas downfall. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Sam hazzard was, at one point, quite the promising man.
In 1912, she was convicted of manslaughter for the death of claire williamson, a wealthy british woman, who weighed less than 50 pounds at the time of her death at the trial, it was proven that hazzard had forged williamson. Starvation heights a true story of murder and malice in the woods of the pacific northwest. Linda burfield hazzards fasting for the cure of disease, british heiresses claire and dora williamson arrived in hazzard institute in 1911 and were met with a regimen of fasting, broths, enemas and exercise. While the girls were agonizingly fading away, the hazzards helped themselves to the williamson sisters goods. Hazzards book fasting for the cure of disease and believed it was their path to true health.
On august 11, 1911, linda hazzard was arrested for the murder of claire williamson. Dora and claire williamson had fallen into the hands of dr. Linda burfield hazzard, medical serial killer 1911. While visiting victoria bc, they read an advertisement for linda s book in a seattle. Linda hazzard, fasting for the cure of disease which you can read online while staying at the empress hotel in victoria, british columbia, sisters claire and dorothea dora williamson saw a newspaper advertisement for linda hazzards book. The curious case of claire and dora williamson books. The girls were attracted to alternative medicine and were interested in healing their minor ailments. Linda hazzard and her horrific path to health in september 1910 claire williamson glanced down at a newspaper and caught a glimpse of something that would change her life. Well, dorothea and claire williamson, two british sisters in their early 30s, were rich. In 1911, two wealthy british heiresses, claire and dora williamson, came to a sanitorium in the forests of the pacific northwest to undergo the revolutionary fasting treatment of dr. Now in her 70s, hazzard set out to prove, once and for all, the validity of her starvation cure. Sep 22, 2011 linda burfield hazzard, medical serial killer 1911 full text article 1 of 4.