Yet Another Top 10 Unsolved Murder Mysteries
There are a lot of creepy unsolved crimes nobody can explain, as well as some gruesome unsolved murders. Whether it's Betsy Aardsma, who was stabbed in her school library, the Keddie Murders, where most of the Sharp family was found dead in a cabin, or silent film director William Desmond Taylor, who was mysteriously shot at his home, these are some of the weirdest murders ever. WatchMojo counts down yet another ten criminals who got away with murder.
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Script written by Clayton Martino.
#10: Betsy Aardsma
You know the story; the one about the corpse that’s mistakenly thought to be alive through a series of hilarious misunderstandings. Though that may be the plot of an ‘80s comedy flick, you may be surprised to learn that similar events did actually occur IRL. Penn State University student Betsy Aardsma was studying in the school library on the day of November 28th, 1969 when she was stabbed, severing her pulmonary artery. The little bleeding that did occur was masked by her red dress, meaning no one even noticed Betsy was dead until she reached the hospital. Oh yeah, and to this day, Pennsylvania State Police are still searching for Betsy’s murderer.
#9: The Grimes Sisters
Another Top 10 Unsolved Murder Mysteries
Barbara and Patricia Grimes were typical ‘50s teens. And, while a healthy Elvis obsession and a desire for a fun Friday night sound innocent enough, they’d eventually lead to the sisters’ grizzly murders. On the night of December 28th, 1956, the Grimes sisters took in a showing of “Love Me Tender,” but when the girls never returned home after the show, their mother grew worried. Early theories suggested that the girls ran away in search of Elvis Presley himself; however that hypothesis was put to rest when Barbara and Patricia’s bodies were found less than a month after their disappearance.
#8: William Desmond Taylor
As one of Hollywood’s greatest unsolved mysteries, William Desmond Taylor’s murder became a major influence in the world of pop culture. The silent film director was shot in his bungalow right in the heart of Hollywood, and while a doctor at the scene initially thought Taylor died of stomach complications, this was proven wrong when the body was turned over. Many names have been thrown around over the years as the potential culprit, including actress Mabel Normand and frequent Taylor collaborator Mary Miles Minter, but this unsolved murder just may be one case that will plague Hollywood forever.
#7: Mary Meyer
It’s quite possible that Mary Meyer played a significant role in maintaining peace during the Cold War. Meyer was known to have had an affair with President John F. Kennedy during his time in office, although some people claim that Kennedy actually discussed and sought advice from her on important international issues. Unfortunately, we’ll never know the truth because Meyer was shot to death on October 12, 1964. Ray Crump was accused of the murder but was eventually acquitted, leaving conspiracy theorists to claim that the CIA may’ve been involved, considering she was divorced from a CIA official and was often critical of the agency. Regardless, her murder remains officially unsolved.
#6: Keddie Murders
The Sierra Nevada mountains in Northern California are the perfect spot for a vacation, but it was also the setting of a grisly mass murder. Sue Sharp and her five children had been renting a cabin in Keddie, California for a few months at the time. On April 12, 1981, the Sharps’ oldest daughter, Sheila, discovered the tied-up bodies of her mother, her brother, and her brother’s friend, all three of whom had been beaten to death with a claw hammer. The body and bones of Sheila’s 12 year-old sister, Tina, were discovered years later. In 2004, the cabin was demolished, and as of 2017 no one has been arrested in connection with the murders.
#5: Ken McElroy
Top 10 Unsolved Murder Mysteries
Ken Rex McElroy was by no means the nicest man. In fact, he was indicted 21 times in his life and accused of dozens of felonies, including assault, statutory rape, and child molestation. In 1980, he shot 70 year-old, Ernest Bowenkamp, but was able to appeal the conviction. He immediately went back and threatened to kill Bowenkamp, but he never got the chance. While sitting in his pickup truck with his wife, McElroy was shot several times. In total there were as many as 46 witnesses, but no one called an ambulance. Although they were all interviewed, none of the witnesses confessed to seeing who specifically killed McElroy, and no one was charged.
#4: Michael Rockefeller
The Rockefellers are considered by many to be one of the most powerful families in the history of the United States. They also experienced a terrible tragedy in 1961 when Michael Rockefeller, the 23-year-old son of Nelson Rockefeller, disappeared in Netherlands New Guinea. Michael was attempting to capture indigenous art of the Asmat tribe, but never returned from his expedition. Theories have ranged from drowning to cannibalism, with journalist Carl Hoffman suggesting that he may’ve been killed by the locals in retaliation for an incident that occurred several years earlier.
#3: Jimmy Hoffa
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A union activist since his teens, Jimmy Hoffa became the President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters in 1958. His role with the Teamsters led him to organized crime, however, and he was even sentenced to prison for jury tampering and fraud. It was this connection may’ve led to his disappearance. Hoffa was last seen in the parking lot of the Machus Red Fox Restaurant on July 30, 1975. Hoffa had allegedly been there to meet with two members of the Mafia. He was officially declared dead in 1982, and his body has yet to be found, although there is no shortage of rumors as to where it might be found.
#2: Marilyn Reese Sheppard
Top 10 Craziest Marilyn Manson Rumors
The wife of Dr. Sam Sheppard, Marilyn Sheppard was beaten to death in her bed on the morning of July 4, 1954. According to Sam, he had heard his wife scream and found an intruder in his home, eventually chasing him down to the beach where they fought, but the intruder escaped. Sam was charged with 2nd degree murder, and controversially convicted to life in prison. This conviction was eventually overturned in a retrial after he had served 10 years, due to the fact that the murder weapon was never found and there was nothing to tie Sam to the murder. Despite Sam’s best efforts upon his release, he never found his wife’s killer.
Before we unveil our number one pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
- Original Night Stalker [aka Diamond Knot Killer and Golden State Killer]
- Ashley Freeman & Lauria Bible
- The Ice Box Murders
#1: The Sodder Children
Top 10 Strangest Unsolved Mysteries of WWII
On Christmas Eve in 1945, the Sodders’ West Virginia home burned to the ground. George Sodder, his wife Jennie, and four of his children escaped, but his other five kids did not. George tried to save them by climbing through their window, but his ladder was missing. He then attempted to use two different trucks to boost himself into the house, but neither started. Different sources reported different search results, with one claiming no remains were found and another noting bone fragments; but this, along with other questionable findings about the circumstances, gave the parents hope that perhaps their kids hadn’t died. George and Jennie spent the remainder of their lives trying to find out what happened to their children, to no avail.
