Mrs. Virginia Patty murder case
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Mrs. Virginia Patty
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Mr. and Mrs. Frank D. (Virginia) Patty 1929
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Photograph caption dated June 6, 1929 reads, "The dress worn by Mrs. Patty when she was murdered and tied in a closet also was many-hued, bizarre and lustrous, greatly resembling that in the previous picture. Police Chemist Rex Welsh examines the bright garment of death."
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Photograph shows William Tallman fingerprints. Top row are prints from the murder scene. Bottom row are U.S.M.C. fingerprints. Photograph dated June 14, 1929.
An "eternal triangle" that ended in murder featured wealthy businessman Frank D. Patty, his beautiful blonde wife Virginia Patty, and William Tallman, who is alleged to have engaged in a love affair with Mrs. Patty. Tallman would become the main suspect and face scrutiny and investigation in Mrs. Patty's death; she was killed with a brick inside an apartment allegedly rented by Tallman.
FATAL BEATING FAILS TO MAKE RICH WIFE CRY
Radio Operator Arrested on Board Ship
BULLETIN
Los Angeles, Cal. June 4. William Tallman, ship radio operator, who is charged with the murder of Mrs. Virginia Patty here, was reported by radio tonight from the steamer Admiral Benson to have been arrested on board the ship.
Los Angeles, Cal., June 4, -[Special]- Mrs. Virginia Patty, 26, wife of a Portland, Ore., banker, fought and died in silence early today in the bachelor apartment of "W.C Johnson" Help was available in the next apartment, but, investigators believe, she refrained from crying out because she feared disclosure of her romance more than death.
Her body was found in a closet, held upright between two hooks by a silk scarf. She had been dead only a short time when police arrived. She had been beaten to death. The bruised condition of her hands indicated that she had battled with whoever killed her.
Mate Hunting her
William Tallman, radio operator on the steamship Admiral Benson, which left San Pedro today for San Francisco, was ordered arrested. In a radio message sent to the vessel by Los Angeles police tonight. In an exchange of radio messages Tallman denied all knowledge of the slaying.
Mr. Patty arrived by plane from Portland yesterday to hunt his wife, who disappeared from his home last Friday. He collapsed when told that her body had been found.
Mr. Patty's chauffeur, Tallman's father, in Oakland, Cal., and others, said Tallman frequently saw Mrs. Patty in the absence of her husband. Mrs. Vivian Brennan, who introduced Mrs. Patty and Tallman, said she attended a beach outing here last week at which Tallman manifested jealousy when Mrs. Patty told him things were "off" between them because of her husband.
In the room where Mrs. Patty's body was found was a note saying, "Mr. Johnson - Virginia called." Attaches of the apartment building said the "W. C. Johnson's" description corresponds with Tallman's