Rosemary Kennedy, JFK’s Sister Who Was Lobotomized And Locked Away

Katie Serena

John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum JFK’s sister Rosemary Kennedy, the oldest daughter of Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, in 1938, several years before her lobotomy.

Though John F. Kennedy and his wife Jackie Kennedy might be the most recognizable members of their family, the Kennedys were famous long before John became the president of the United States. John’s father, Joe Kennedy Sr., was a prominent businessman in Boston and his wife, Rose, was a noted philanthropist and socialite. Together they had nine children, three of whom went into politics, leading some to describe them as America’s version of a royal family.

But, like every family, they had their secrets. And perhaps one of their darkest secrets was that they had forcibly lobotomized their eldest daughter, Rosemary Kennedy, and institutionalized her for decades.

The Early Life Of Rosemary Kennedy, From Her Mishandled Delivery To Her First Behavioral Troubles

John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and MuseumThe Kennedy children in 1928. Rosemary Kennedy is pictured third from the right.

Born on September 13, 1918, in Brookline, Massachusetts, Rosemary Kennedy was the third child of Joe and Rose and the first girl in the family.

During her birth, the obstetrician who was supposed to be delivering her was running late. Not wanting to deliver the baby without a doctor present, the nurse reached up into Rose’s birth canal and held the baby in place.

The actions of the nurse would have serious consequences for Rosemary Kennedy. The lack of oxygen delivered to her brain during her birth caused lasting damage to her brain, resulting in a mental deficiency.

Though she looked like the rest of the Kennedys, with bright eyes and dark hair, her parents realized that she was different right away.

John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and MuseumJohn, Eunice, Joseph Jr., Rosemary, and Kathleen Kennedy in Cohasset, Massachusetts. Circa 1923-1924.

As a child, Rosemary Kennedy was unable to keep up with her siblings, who would often play ball in the yard, or run around the neighborhood. Her lack of inclusion often caused her to experience “fits,” which were later discovered to have been seizures or episodes relating to her mental illness.

However, in the 1920s, mental illness was highly stigmatized. Fearing repercussions if her daughter couldn’t keep up, Rose Kennedy pulled Kennedy out of school and instead hired a tutor to teach the girl from home. Eventually, she sent her to a boarding school in Pennsylvania, in lieu of institutionalizing her.

When she was 16, Rosemary Kennedy transferred to the Sacred Heart Convent in Providence, Rhode Island. There, she learned mathematics, reading, and writing and even attended school social functions. When she was with her family, Kennedy frequently attended social events and appeared to enjoy them.

John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and MuseumThe Kennedy family at Hyannis Port on September 4, 1931. From left to right: Robert, John, Eunice, Jean (on lap of) Joseph Sr., Rose (behind) Patricia, Kathleen, Joseph Jr. (behind) Rosemary Kennedy. Dog in foreground is “Buddy.”

In 1928, Joe Kennedy was named an ambassador to the Court of St. James in England. The entire family moved across the Atlantic and was soon presented at court to the British public. Despite her intellectual challenges, Kennedy joined the family for the presentation in London.

On the surface, Kennedy was a promising debutante, and she clearly put forth an effort to make her parents proud. Her mother once described her as “an affectionate, warmly responsive, and loving girl. She was so willing to try to do her best, so appreciative of attention and compliments, and so hopeful of deserving them.”

Of course, most people did not know the extent of Kennedy’s personal troubles, as the Kennedys had worked hard to keep it all quiet.

Why Rosemary Kennedy Was Lobotomized

Keystone/Getty ImagesRosemary Kennedy (right), her sister Kathleen (left), and her mother Rose (center) being presented in London.

In England, Rosemary Kennedy gained a sense of normalcy, as she had been placed in a Catholic school run by nuns. With the time and patience to teach Rosemary, they were training her to be a teacher’s aide and she was flourishing under their guidance. Sadly, this situation would not last long.

In 1940, when the Nazis stormed Paris, the Kennedys were forced to move back to the United States, and Rosemary’s education was all but abandoned. Once back stateside, Rose placed Rosemary in a convent, but it reportedly did not have the same positive effect as the school in England.

According to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Rosemary’s sister Eunice would later write, “Rosemary was not making progress but seemed instead to be going backward.” Eunice continued, “At 22, she was becoming increasingly irritable and difficult.”

She was also reportedly causing trouble for the nuns in the American convent. According to them, Rosemary Kennedy was sneaking out at night to go to bars and meeting strange men. They told her parents that they worried she would catch a venereal disease or become pregnant.

At the same time, Joe was grooming his two oldest boys for careers in politics. Because of this, Rose and Joe worried that Rosemary’s behavior could create a bad reputation not just for herself but for the whole family in the future, and eagerly searched for something that would help her.

Dr. Walter Freeman appeared to have the solution to their problem.

Freeman, along with his associate Dr. James Watts, had been researching a neurological procedure that was said to cure people who were physically and mentally disabled. That operation was the controversial lobotomy.

NTB/Alamy Stock PhotoA lobotomy is performed on an English mental hospital patient in 1947.

When it was first introduced, the lobotomy was hailed as a cure-all and was widely recommended by physicians. Despite the excitement, however, there were many warnings that the lobotomy, though occasionally effective, was also destructive. One woman described her daughter, a recipient, as being the same person on the outside, but like a new human on the inside.

Despite the ominous stories about the lobotomy, Joe needed no convincing to sign Rosemary Kennedy up for the procedure, as it seemed like this was the Kennedy family’s last hope for her to be “cured” of her mood swings and erratic behavior. Years later, Rose would claim that she had no knowledge of the procedure until it had already happened. No one thought to ask if Rosemary had any thoughts of her own about what would happen to her.

The Botched Lobotomy Of Rosemary Kennedy And The Tragic Aftermath

In 1941, when she was 23 years old, Rosemary Kennedy received a lobotomy.

During the procedure, two holes were drilled in her skull, through which small metal spatulas were inserted. The spatulas were used to sever the link between the pre-frontal cortex and the rest of the brain. Though it is not known whether he did so on Rosemary, Dr. Freeman would often insert an icepick through the patient’s eye to sever the link, as well as the spatula.

John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and MuseumRosemary Kennedy was lobotomized by her father at age 23 to keep the family name clean and allow her brothers, including JFK, to succeed in politics.

Throughout the entire operation, Rosemary was awake, actively speaking with her doctors and even reciting poems to her nurses. The medical staff all knew that the procedure was over when she stopped speaking to them.

Immediately after the procedure, the Kennedys realized that something was wrong with their daughter. Not only had the operation failed to cure her intellectual challenges, but it had also left her extremely disabled.

Rosemary Kennedy could no longer speak or walk properly. She was moved to the Craig House, a private psychiatric hospital outside of New York City, and spent months in physical therapy before she regained normal movement, and even then it was only partially in one arm. In 1949, she was moved to the St. Coletta School of Exceptional Children in Jefferson, Wisconsin and would remain there for the rest of her life.

JFK’s Lobotomized Sister Is Locked Away And Cut Off From Her Family

Keri Kelly / FacebookThe St. Coletta School for Exceptional Children in Wisconsin where Rosemary Kennedy lived after her lobotomy.

Her family did not visit her for 20 years while she was shuttered away in the institution. The family made excuses for her absence, stating that Rosemary was reclusive, and later, that she was mentally ill. However, they did provide Rosemary Kennedy with a few benefits at St. Coletta School of Exceptional Children, including her own private house near the school called “The Kennedy Cottage” as well as a dog and a car.

It wasn’t until after Joe suffered a massive stroke in 1961, at the dawn of JFK’s presidency and the “Camelot” era, that Rose went to go see her daughter again. Additionally, the rest of the Kennedy siblings were made aware of Rosemary Kennedy’s whereabouts. In a panicked rage, Rosemary attacked her mother during their reunion, unable to express herself any other way.

@historyphotographed/InstagramAn image believed to be of Rosemary Kennedy with her nurses decades after the lobotomy.

At that point, the Kennedy family realized what they had done to Rosemary. They soon began to champion rights for disabled people in America.

John F. Kennedy would go on to use his presidency to sign the Maternal and Child Health and Mental Retardation Planning Amendment to the Social Security Act. It was the precursor to the Americans with Disabilities Act, which his brother Ted pushed for during his time as a senator.

Eunice Kennedy, John and Rosemary’s younger sister, also founded the Special Olympics in 1962, to champion the achievements and accomplishments of disabled people. As reported by the History Channel, Eunice denied that Rosemary was the direct inspiration for the Special Olympics. Still, it’s believed that witnessing Rosemary’s struggles played a role in Eunice’s determination to improve the lives of those with disabilities.

Rosemary Kennedy’s Lobotomy Finally Comes To Light In The Last Decades Before Her Death

Rosemary Kennedy’s lobotomy was not revealed to the public until 1987, when historian Doris Kearns Goodwin debuted the information in her book The Fitzgeralds and the Kennedys.

John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and MuseumWhen she was just 23, JFK’s sister Rosemary Kennedy was forcibly lobotomized by her father, then sent away to a facility and isolated from her family.

By then, the Kennedy family had already spent nearly two decades trying to reintegrate Rosemary Kennedy into their lives. Kennedy would travel to Florida, Washington, D.C., and Cape Cod to spend time with her family. Eventually, she learned how to walk again, albeit with a limp.

After being reunited with her family, Rosemary Kennedy lived out the rest of her days in Saint Coletta’s, a residential care facility in Jefferson, Wisconsin, until her death on January 7, 2005 at the age of 86. She was eventually buried alongside her family at Holyhood Cemetery in Brookline, Massachusetts.

DO YOU REALLY KNOW ABOUT CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS?

There was nothing trivial about Columbus’ violent destruction of Taíno people. While the sailor and his crew are sometimes lumped in with all the other conquest-crazy Europeans of their era, their particular cruelty can’t be so easily exonerated and shouldn’t be ignored.

Natives were regularly whipped for what Columbus considered minor offenses — but stealing a vegetable or animal could result in cutting off a Taíno’s nose, ear, or hand; the offender was sometimes forced to walk around with their severed body part in shame. Columbus took and gifted Taíno women to his crewmen, who would violently beat and rape them. Pregnant Taíno women who were taken captive gave birth to babies who were sometimes thrown to hungry dogs. Columbus established a business in the sale of 9- and 10-year-old Taíno girls for sexual slavery. He also kidnapped and enslaved Taínos themselves — personally initiating the transatlantic slave trade in his voyage back to Europe.

In short, Columbus was a murderous, enslaving, sexual-abusing, treacherous colonizer to the peoples he encountered in the Caribbean. Only two-thirds of the Taíno survived just four years after Columbus’ arrival; some were killed, others succumbed to diseases, and fully half of the dead killed themselves rather than live with his tyranny.

Columbus was also responsible for creating a system in which Taíno land was treated the way Taíno women were. Not that the Taíno didn’t resist: Columbus left behind 39 colonizers in the first European settlement in the Americas, which he called La Navidad, in present-day Haiti. When he returned from Spain several months later, he found that all the Europeans were dead. That didn’t stop him; Columbus’ practice of settling on other peoples’ lands in the Americas sparked the European imagination, and those lands would soon be the backbones of empires.

What followed was centuries of oppression — to the human beings who lived there, and to the land they lived on. Spain cleared land for massive tobacco plantations, beginning a long process of deforestation and soil erosion. After France came into possession of Haiti, it cleared even more land, and brought in enslaved Africans to cultivate sugar to satisfy European palates. The first place Europe settled in the Americas also became the first place that successfully revolted against it — but the destructive practice of monocropping for overseas consumption had already taken hold.

We shouldn’t forget that Columbus is responsible for launching an ecocide as well as a genocide. The wealth from resources like sugar, tobacco, and cotton ushered in the start of the Industrial Revolution, which began emitting carbon at an unprecedented record level.

I refuse to celebrate Columbus Day!

UPDATE: Alabama Police Seek Help Finding Missing Ohio Hiker

UPDATE: https://people.com/body-found-in-hammock-in-alabama-forest-identified-as-missing-ohio-mother-8757875?hid=64f420812b3ef9b09282e0afed42f1bc7382b94c&did=15687693-20241207&utm_source=ppl&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ppl-news_newsletter&utm_content=120724&lctg=64f420812b3ef9b09282e0afed42f1bc7382b94c&lr_input=5f51a0d321523efff6df614ea67b68bf341e994e8cc523afc571d2e27d3290e2&utm_term=midday

East Alabama police are asking hikers along the Pinhoti Trail to be on the lookout for an Ohio woman who never returned from a hiking trip more than three weeks ago.

The Cleburne County Sheriff’s Department said that Vendula “Wendy” Rose left her home in Marysville, Ohio, on September 20 and drove to the Dugger Mountain area in Alabama, where she hiked a portion of the long-distance Pinhoti Trail. A missing persons report was filed in Ohio on October 4 after Rose failed to return to work, and her car was found near the Pinhoti Trailhead in Cheaha State Park the next day.

Investigators used the car’s GPS, traffic cameras, and tag readers to track her movements after coming to Alabama. On September 23, the car traveled to South Carolina, arriving in the early hours on the 24th. She returned to Clerburne County that night. She was seen on surveillance video making a purchase in Oxford and leaving the business alone.

From Oxford, she drove to the Pinhoti Trailhead, where her car was later found. After finding the car, multiple agencies searched nearly 40 miles of trails in the area without finding a trace of the missing woman.

Investigators say that Rose told her family and friends she was heading to Alabama and had mentioned the Pinhoti Trail. She said she was leaving some personal items in a safe deposit box and left her work keys with her employer.

Cleburne County investigators said they don’t believe any foul play is involved but do believe Rose is suffering a mental health crisis.

Crime Online

October 10, 2024

Prosecutor asks for a charge to be reinstated against Alec Baldwin in Rust case.

They are doing this to attract attention. No one will want to film in New Mexico if this is what they do to actors. 

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A prosecutor asked a New Mexico judge to reconsider the decision to dismiss an involuntary manslaughter charge against Alec Baldwin in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer on the set of a Western movie, according to a court filing made public Wednesday.

Special prosecutor Kari Morrissey said insufficient facts supported the July ruling and Baldwin's due process rights had not been violated.

State District Court Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer dismissed the case halfway through a trial based on the withholding of evidence by police and prosecutors from the defense in the 2021 shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film "Rust."

The charge against Baldwin was dismissed with prejudice, meaning it can't be revived once any appeals of the decision are exhausted.

Baldwin, the lead actor and co-producer on "Rust," was pointing a gun at cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during a rehearsal when it went off, killing her and wounding director Joel Souza. Baldwin has said he pulled back the hammer — but not the trigger — and the revolver fired.

The case-ending evidence was ammunition that was brought into the sheriff's office in March by a man who said it could be related to Hutchins' killing. Prosecutors said they deemed the ammunition unrelated and unimportant, while Baldwin's lawyers alleged that they "buried" it and filed a successful motion to dismiss the case.

In her decision to dismiss the Baldwin case, Marlowe Sommer described "egregious discovery violations constituting misconduct" by law enforcement and prosecutors, as well as false testimony about physical evidence by a witness during the trial.

In the request to reconsider, Morrissey argued again that the undisclosed ammunition was not relevant to the case against Baldwin, which hinged on his responsibility to handle a gun safely under familiar industry guidelines.

"No one on the prosecution team ... ever intentionally kept evidence from the defendant, it simply didn't occur to the prosecution that the rounds were relevant to the case even if they were the same or similar to the live rounds found on the set of 'Rust,'," Morrissey wrote.

She asserted that defense attorneys knew about the rounds but canceled an opportunity to view them prior to trial.

"This is a smoke screen created by the defense and was intended to sway and confuse the court ... and it was successful," Morrissey wrote.

Baldwin's lead attorney, Luke Nikas, didn't immediately respond to requests for comment about Morrissey's filing.

Movie armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed is serving an 18-month sentence on a conviction for involuntary manslaughter. She was accused of flouting standard safety protocols and missing multiple opportunities to detect forbidden live ammunition on set. Assistant director and safety coordinator David Halls pleaded no contest to the negligent use of a deadly weapon and was sentenced to six months of unsupervised probation. A no contest plea isn't an admission of guilt but is treated as such for sentencing purposes.

It hasn't been officially determined who brought the live rounds that killed Hutchins to the set, though prosecutors allege that Gutierrez-Reed was responsible.

The ammunition that skuttled the case was handed over to a Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office crime scene technician who filed the evidence under an unrelated case number. Three of those rounds resembled live rounds that were collected from the "Rust" set after the fatal shooting.

The mysterious ammunition was dropped off at the sheriff's office by Troy Teske, of Bullhead City, Arizona, who routinely stored weapons and ammunition for his friend and longtime movie-gun coach Thell Reed — Gutierrez-Reed's step-father and mentor as a film-set armorer.

Morrissey asked the judge to order defense attorneys to show when and how they learned of the ammunition provided by Teske, calling the defense motion to dismiss the case "all a ruse."

Attorneys for Baldwin have said he was unaware that live ammunition had been brought to the film set and that prosecutors hid evidence while trying to establish a link between the live ammo on set and Gutierrez-Reed. They said prosecutors wanted to drive home the argument that Baldwin should have recognized the armorer's blundering youth and inexperience.

Gutierrez-Reed is seeking the dismissal of her involuntary manslaughter conviction based on the allegations of suppressed evidence that emerged at Baldwin's trial.

Separately, Gutierrez-Reed has requested a plea hearing on a felony firearms charge pertaining to accusations that she took a gun into a Santa Fe bar weeks before "Rust" began filming.

Defense attorney Jason Bowles did not respond to a message seeking more information.

Drone Surveillance: Ethical and Legal Considerations for Private Investigators

Staying modern and innovate is crucial for detectives. One innovative method for Private Investigators includes utilizing drone technology, a tool that has revolutionized surveillance methods.

Imagine an investigator looking to collect evidence in a hard to access area—drones not only make this feasible but also effective and discreet. This advancement in technology presents possibilities, along with a range of challenges and responsibilities that cannot be overlooked.

The appeal of drones in investigations lies in their capacity to offer viewpoints, capture detailed images, and provide a level of surveillance previously unattainable.

Like any surveillance tool, the ethical and legal consequences must be thoroughly examined. The rapid integration of drones has surpassed the development of regulations leaving investigators grappling with a complex maze of laws and ethical dilemmas.

The Rise of Drone Surveillance in Private Investigations

Historical Context and Technological Advancements

The field of surveillance technology has undergone changes over the years. From surveillance methods like stakeouts and covert photography to the incorporation of cutting-edge tools, private investigators have consistently adjusted their techniques to keep pace with technological advancements.

The emergence of drones represents a milestone in this evolution bringing capabilities that were previously beyond reach. Drones, equipped with imaging technology and high-resolution cameras offer aerial perspectives that allow investigators to gather detailed evidence, from angles that were once inaccessible.

Benefits of Using Drones in Investigations

There are several benefits of using drones in private investigations:

1. Enhanced Surveillance Capabilities:
   • Drones offer comprehensive coverage of large areas quickly and discreetly, especially useful in scenarios with limited or hazardous ground access.
   • For example, as highlighted by Insight Investigations, drones are effective in proving anti-social behavior and monitoring criminal activities on private land.
2. Cost-Effectiveness:
   • Drones provide a more economical alternative to traditional aerial surveillance methods such as chartering helicopters or planes.
   • The ability to deploy drones on-demand reduces logistical complexities and expenses associated with manned aerial operations.
3. Increased Safety for Investigators:
   • Utilizing drones minimizes the need for direct, potentially risky engagements with subjects, thereby enhancing the safety of investigators.
   • This technological advancement allows for remote surveillance, keeping investigators out of potentially dangerous situations.

The integration of drones into private investigations elevates the efficiency and scope of surveillance while ensuring operations are conducted with greater precision and reduced risk.

Legal Considerations for Drone Surveillance

Federal Regulations

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has established comprehensive rules governing the commercial use of drones to ensure safety and compliance in U.S. airspace. Key requirements include:

• Drone Registration: All drones used for commercial purposes must be registered with the FAA.
• Pilot Certification: Operators must obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate by passing an aeronautical knowledge test.
• Operational Limits: Drones must be flown within visual line-of-sight, during daylight hours, and at or below 400 feet. Additionally, there are restrictions on flying over people and near airports.

These regulations are crucial for maintaining safety and legal compliance in drone operations. For more detailed information, you can refer to the FAA’s guidelines on their official website.

State-Specific Laws

While federal regulations provide a baseline, state laws can vary significantly, often imposing stricter guidelines. For example, Texas has stringent regulations that prohibit drone surveillance without the subject’s consent, reflecting the state’s strong emphasis on privacy rights. In Florida, drone use for surveillance purposes is tightly regulated to prevent invasion of privacy and ensure ethical practices, as highlighted by Pro Process Servers.

Privacy Laws and Legal Precedents

Privacy laws are a critical aspect of drone surveillance, aimed at protecting individuals from unwarranted intrusion. The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which guards against unreasonable searches and seizures, extends to aerial surveillance.

Notable legal cases, such as California v. Ciraolo, have set important precedents. In this case, the Supreme Court ruled that aerial surveillance without a warrant did not violate the Fourth Amendment because the airspace is considered public domain.

Private investigators must be acutely aware of these legal frameworks to avoid potential lawsuits and ensure their operations are within legal boundaries.

Ethical Considerations for Drone Surveillance

Balancing Surveillance Needs with Privacy Rights

Respecting individuals’ privacy is paramount in private investigations, especially with the intrusive potential of drone surveillance. The ethical dilemma lies in balancing the necessity of gathering crucial evidence with the obligation to respect privacy rights.

Private investigators must navigate this fine line to ensure their actions do not infringe on personal privacy, which can lead to legal and reputational repercussions.

Guidelines for Ethical Drone Use

To maintain ethical standards, investigators should adhere to industry best practices. This includes operating drones in a manner that minimizes intrusion and avoids collecting unnecessary information about non-subjects.

Transparency with clients and subjects is also crucial. According to Insight Investigations, it’s important to inform clients about the ethical boundaries and legal constraints of drone use.

Impact on Public Perception

Public concerns about privacy and the ethical use of drones are significant. Misuse or perceived misuse of drones can lead to a loss of public trust and potential backlash. To build trust and credibility, investigators should engage in transparent practices and educate the public about the ethical use of drones. This includes being upfront about the purposes of drone surveillance and the measures taken to protect privacy.

Practical Applications of Drone Surveillance

Common Use Cases in Private Investigations

Drones have become invaluable tools in various aspects of private investigations due to their versatility and advanced capabilities. Some common use cases include:

1. Land Surveys and Property Disputes:
   • Drones can capture high-resolution aerial images, providing detailed views of large properties. This is particularly useful in boundary disputes or assessing land usage.
   • According to JOUAV, drones can efficiently gather data for creating accurate maps and 3D models, which are essential in resolving property disputes.
2. Surveillance for Infidelity and Custody Cases:
   • Drones offer discreet observation, enabling investigators to monitor subjects without being detected. This is crucial in cases of suspected infidelity or child custody disputes where evidence gathering must be covert.
   • Drones off the ability to gather visual evidence from a distance without intruding on personal space makes drones ideal for such sensitive cases.
3. Insurance Fraud Investigations:
   • Drones can quickly assess large areas for signs of fraud, such as staged accidents or property damage claims. Their ability to cover difficult terrains makes them effective in these investigations.

Success Stories and Case Studies

The effectiveness of drones in private investigations is evidenced by numerous success stories and case studies:

1. Example of Successful Drone Surveillance Operation:
   • A notable case involved a private investigator using drones to gather evidence in a large-scale insurance fraud investigation. The drones provided aerial footage that contradicted the claimant’s reports, leading to a successful case resolution.
   • This case, detailed by AV8 Prep, showcases how drones can uncover discrepancies that would be challenging to identify through ground-based investigations.
2. Lessons Learned from Real-Life Applications:
   • One key lesson is the importance of adhering to legal and ethical guidelines to ensure the admissibility of evidence. Successful operations often involve meticulous planning and compliance with regulatory frameworks.
   • IntechOpen emphasizes the need for continuous training and staying updated with technological advancements to maximize the potential of drone surveillance.

By leveraging the capabilities of drones in various investigative scenarios, private investigators can enhance their efficiency and effectiveness. The practical applications and real-life success stories underscore the transformative impact of drones in modern surveillance.

Best Practices for Private Investigators Using Drones

Staying Informed and Compliant

To effectively utilize drones in private investigations, staying informed about legal updates and technological advancements is crucial. Continuous education ensures that investigators remain compliant with ever-evolving regulations and leverage the latest drone technologies.

Engaging in regular training sessions and workshops can help keep skills sharp and knowledge current. Collaboration with legal experts and industry peers is also beneficial. By working closely with legal professionals, investigators can navigate complex regulatory landscapes and ensure their practices are legally sound.

Additionally, joining industry groups or forums can provide valuable insights and updates on best practices.

Implementing Robust Operational Protocols

Developing and adhering to standard operating procedures (SOPs) for drone use is essential for maintaining consistency and legal compliance in surveillance operations. These SOPs should outline specific protocols for different scenarios, ensuring that every aspect of drone operation is meticulously planned and executed.

Incorporating risk management and contingency planning into these protocols is vital. This includes identifying potential risks, such as equipment failure or legal challenges, and establishing clear procedures to mitigate these risks. Regular reviews and updates of SOPs can help adapt to new regulations and technological advancements.

Enhancing Skills and Expertise

Investing in training programs for drone piloting and data analysis is crucial for maximizing the effectiveness of drone surveillance. Comprehensive training ensures that investigators are proficient in operating drones and interpreting the data collected.

Leveraging advanced tools and software can further enhance the quality of surveillance. Tools for data analysis, such as geospatial mapping and AI-driven image recognition, can provide deeper insights and more accurate results.

By continuously honing their skills and embracing new technologies, private investigators can maintain a competitive edge and ensure their surveillance practices are both effective and compliant with legal standards.

Takeaways

The ethical and legal considerations for drone surveillance in private investigations are paramount. Ensuring compliance with FAA regulations, adhering to state-specific laws, and respecting privacy rights are critical. Implementing best practices such as continuous education, robust operational protocols, and enhanced training programs are essential for responsible drone use. By following these guidelines, private investigators can effectively leverage drone technology while maintaining legal and ethical standards.

Posted on August 7, 2024

Private Investigator Industry News

El Dorado Insurance

The Black Dahlia.

On January 15, 1947, Elizabeth Short’s dead body was found in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Leimert Park. The first person who reported the grisly sight was a mother out for a morning walk with her child.

According to the woman, the way Short’s body had been posed made her think that the corpse was a mannequin at first. But a closer look revealed the true horror of the Black Dahlia crime scene.

The 22-year-old Short had been sliced in two at the waist and completely drained of blood. Some of her organs — such as her intestines — had been removed and neatly placed underneath her buttocks. Pieces of flesh had been cut away from her thighs and breasts. And her stomach was full of feces, leading some to believe that she’d been forced to eat them before she was killed.

Elizabeth Short, aka the "Black Dahlia," was just 22 years old when she was brutally murdered in Los Angeles on January 15, 1947. It remains one of Hollywood's most disturbing cold cases to this day.

The most chilling mutilations, however, were the lacerations on her face. The killer had sliced each side of her face from the corners of her mouth to her ears, creating what’s known as a “Glasgow smile.”

Since the body had already been washed clean, Los Angeles Police Department detectives concluded that she must have been killed elsewhere before being dumped in Leimert Park.

Near her body, detectives noted a heel print and a cement sack with traces of blood that had presumably been used to transport her body to the vacant lot. The LAPD reached out to the FBI to help identify the body by searching their fingerprint database. Short’s fingerprints turned up rather quickly because she had applied for a job as a clerk at the U.S. Army’s Camp Cooke commissary in California in 1943.

And then her prints turned up a second time since she had been arrested by the Santa Barbara Police Department for underage drinking — just seven months after she’d applied to the job.

The FBI also had her mugshot from her arrest, which they provided to the press. Before long, the media began reporting every salacious detail they could find about Short.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth Short’s mother, Phoebe Short, didn’t learn of her daughter’s death until reporters from The Los Angeles Examiner telephoned her, pretending that Elizabeth had won a beauty contest.

They pumped her for all the details they could get on Elizabeth before revealing the terrible truth. Her daughter had been murdered, and her corpse had been dismembered in unspeakable ways.

As the media learned more about Elizabeth Short’s history, they began to brand her as a sexual deviant. One police report read, “This victim knew at least fifty men at the time of her death and at least twenty-five men had been seen with her in the sixty days preceding her death… She was known as a teaser of men.”

They gave Short the nickname, “The Black Dahlia,” due to her reported preference for wearing a lot of sheer black clothing. This was a reference to the movie The Blue Dahlia, which was out at the time. Some people spread the false rumor that Short was a prostitute, while others baselessly claimed that she liked to tease men because she was a lesbian.

Adding to her mystique, Short was reportedly a Hollywood hopeful. She had moved to Los Angeles just six months before her death and worked as a waitress. Sadly, she had no known acting jobs and her death became her one claim to fame.

But as famous as the case was, authorities had tremendous difficulty figuring out who was behind it. However, members of the media did receive a few clues. On January 21st, about a week after the body was found, the Examiner received a call from a person claiming to be the murderer, who said he would be sending Short’s belongings in the mail as proof of his claim.

Shortly thereafter on the 24th, the Examiner received a package with Short’s birth certificate, photos, business cards, and an address book with the name Mark Hansen on the cover. Also included was a letter pasted together from newspaper and magazine letter clippings that read, “Los Angeles Examiner and other Los Angeles papers here is Dahlia’s belongings letter to follow.”

All of these items had been wiped down with gasoline, leaving no fingerprints behind. Though a partial fingerprint was found on the envelope, it was damaged in transport and never analyzed.

On January 26th, another letter arrived. This handwritten note read, “Here it is. Turning in Wed. January 29, 10 a.m. Had my fun at police. Black Dahlia Avenger.” The letter included a location. Police waited at the appointed time and place, but the author never showed.

Afterward, the alleged killer sent a note made of letters cut and pasted from magazines to the Examiner that said, “Have changed my mind. You would not give me a square deal. Dahlia killing was justified.”

Yet again, everything sent by the person had been wiped clean with gasoline, so investigators couldn’t lift any fingerprints from the evidence.

At one point, the LAPD had 750 investigators on the case and interviewed more than 150 potential suspects linked to the Black Dahlia killing. Officers heard more than 60 confessions during the initial investigation, but none of them were considered legitimate. Since then, there have been more than 500 confessions, none of which led to anyone being charged.

As time went on and the case went cold, many people assumed that the Black Dahlia murder was a date gone wrong, or that Short had run into a sinister stranger late at night while walking alone. After over 70 years, the Black Dahlia murder case remains open. But in recent years, a couple of intriguing — and chilling — theories have emerged.

A police bulletin seeking information on Elizabeth Short’s activities prior to the murder describes her as “very attractive” with “bad lower teeth” and “fingernails chewed to quick.”

Shortly after his father’s death in 1999, now-retired LAPD detective Steve Hodel was going through his dad’s belongings when he noticed two photos of a woman who bore a striking resemblance to Elizabeth Short.

After discovering these haunting images, Hodel began using the skills he had gained as a policeman to investigate his own deceased father. Hodel went through newspaper archives and witness interviews from the case, and even filed a Freedom of Information Act to obtain FBI files on the Black Dahlia murder.

He also had a handwriting expert compare samples of his father’s writing to the writing on some of the notes sent to the press from the alleged killer. The analysis found a strong possibility that his father’s handwriting matched, but the results were not conclusive.

On the grislier side, the Black Dahlia crime scene photos showed that Short’s body had been cut in a manner consistent with a hemicorporectomy, a medical procedure that slices the body beneath the lumbar spine. Hodel’s father had been a doctor — who attended medical school when this procedure was being taught in the 1930s.

Additionally, Hodel searched his father’s archives at UCLA, finding a folder full of receipts for contracting work on his childhood home. In that folder, there was a receipt dated a few days before the murder for a large bag of concrete, the same size, and brand as a concrete bag found near Elizabeth Short’s body.

By the time Hodel began his investigation, many of the police officers who originally worked on the case were already dead. However, he carefully reconstructed conversations these officers had about the case.

Eventually, Hodel compiled all of his evidence into a 2003 bestseller called Black Dahlia Avenger: The True Story.