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Did Babe Ruth Set His Wife On Fire What Really Happened

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The Babe Ruth Enigma

Babe Ruth, the legendary baseball icon, is a name etched in the annals of sports history. Yet, amidst the glory of his career, a perplexing mystery casts a shadow over his legacy – the untimely demise of his wife. This baffling incident remains an enigma, shrouded in uncertainty.

Babe Ruth’s Early Days and Meeting His Future Wife

Babe Ruth’s journey to stardom began in 1914 when he debuted as a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox. At the time, he was just 18 and adjusting to the unpredictable life of a young athlete. Fate intervened when he encountered Helen Woodford, a gentle and youthful waitress at a Boston hotel. They soon fell in love, and in October 1914, they tied the knot. For the next five years, they led a modest life in Boston’s Back Bay Neighborhood.

As Ruth’s career soared, he accumulated considerable wealth and, in 1919, purchased an opulent 16-room house in Sudbury, Massachusetts. While Babe played his seasons in Boston, the couple resided in a hotel during playoffs, returning to their Sudbury home for the rest of the year. The Red Sox eventually traded Ruth to the New York Yankees. In September 1922, the couple introduced their 15-month-old daughter, Dorothy, to the public.

The Hidden Truth Behind Babe Ruth’s Marriage

Despite their seemingly perfect family life, there were concealed secrets. It was later revealed, decades later by Dorothy, that she was adopted. Moreover, Babe Ruth had engaged in an affair with Juanita, Dorothy’s biological mother, marking the beginning of a series of extramarital relationships.

Soon after, Ruth allegedly became entangled with Claire Hodgson, a model and Broadway performer. Claire and her daughter, Julia, relocated to New York in 1923, and Babe frequented Claire’s residence.

In 1925, Helen and Dorothy settled permanently in their Sudbury home. A few years later, Helen and Babe separated, acknowledging his infidelity. Helen moved in with Dr. Edward Kinder in Watertown, Massachusetts. Edward, a World War I veteran, had earned a medical degree and established a dental practice in Boston. Though perceived as a married couple by their neighbors, Edward insisted that they were never officially wed.

As Babe Ruth continued to rewrite baseball history with 60 home runs and earned the title “Sultan of Swat,” the life of the Ruths took a somber turn.

The Tragic Night of Helen’s Demise

On the fateful night of January 11, 1929:

  • Edward attended a boxing match at the Boston Garden.
  • 7-year-old Dorothy was studying at a Catholic Boarding School in Wellesley, Massachusetts.
  • Helen was alone at home. She ingested sleeping pills, turned on the radio, and retired to her second-floor room.

Around 10 p.m., a passerby noticed smoke emanating from a window and promptly alerted the authorities. When firefighters arrived, the house was already engulfed in flames. Tragically, they discovered Helen with severe burns and declared her deceased.

Investigation and Reports on Helen Woodford’s Death

The Boston Globe documented the following findings:

  • Edward identified Helen as his wife, Helen Kinder, when informed of her passing.
  • The medical examiner, George West, attributed her death to suffocation from the fire, finding no evidence of foul play.
  • The fire inspector suggested that overloaded electrical wires and amateur repair work could have caused the fire.

District Attorney Robert Bushnell reviewed all reports and concluded that Helen’s death was due to natural causes, specifically suffocation.

Babe Ruth, notified two days later, expressed shock at Helen’s passing and revealed that they had not lived together for three years, adhering to her wishes.

Speculations and Theories Surrounding Helen’s Death

Doubts and suspicions lingered after the initial investigation, prompting Helen’s family to question the official account.

Motive 1: Helen’s sister, Nora Woodford, proposed a theory that Babe Ruth had wanted to divorce Helen, who refused to grant the divorce unless she received $100,000. Suspicion arose due to the timing, as Helen passed away just a month after this demand was made.

Motive 2: Meanwhile, Police Chief John Millmore investigated Edward Kinder. The standard assumption in spousal murder investigations is that the partner is the prime suspect. Authorities suspected that Edward might have drugged Helen with opium, rendering her unable to escape the fire. However, no traces of drugs were found at Edward’s home or office.

The case reached a dead end, and another autopsy by pathologist George Magrath yielded similar results. With Helen’s body suffering second-degree burns, determining any other form of assault proved exceedingly challenging.

In the end, the case was closed, attributing Helen’s death to an accidental fire.

Babe Ruth, speaking to the Boston Globe after Helen’s funeral, exhibited visible distress, underscoring the enduring mystery surrounding the tragic demise of his wife.

My Final Opinion

the mysterious death of Babe Ruth’s wife continues to raise questions and intrigue to this day. Despite official explanations, the ambiguity surrounding that tragic night in 1929 persists, leaving us to wonder if the full truth will ever be known.

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