Parker Mystery House. Photo: M.Imlay.
I have wanted to visit this L.A. landmark for quite a while and finally had the opportunity recently. At first glance, this rather nondescript house that straddles the West Adams and Koreatown districts would appear no different from the many late-Victorian homes dotting the city. However, it has quite a storied past, being connected with a gruesome kidnapping/murder that shocked the nation in 1927.
Back then it was the residence of banker Perry Parker, his wife, and their twin 12-year-old daughters Marian and Marjorie. Parker was a prominent officer of Los Angeles First National Trust and Savings; the children, students at nearby Mt. Vernon Junior High School. On Dec. 15, 1927, a man appeared at the school asking for Marian. Her father, he said, was ill and anxious to see her. Totally hoodwinked, the girl’s teacher handed Marian over to the stranger, who then sent several bizarre ransom notes to the Parker home signed “The Fox.” He demanded $1500 in gold certificates in exchange for the girl.
A Brutal Double-Cross
Parker agreed to meet the kidnapper at the corner of 5th Ave. and Manhattan the evening of Dec. 17. As promised, the Fox arrived by car with Marian staring out from the passenger side, apparently bundled against the evening chill. Parker paid the money. The Fox then drove off, dumping the child a little further down the road. When Parker reached his daughter, he wailed in horror. She was dead–brutally dismembered, organs removed, and eyes propped open to appear alive.
A huge manhunt ensued. William Edward Hickman, 19, was eventually captured, tried and convicted for the murder. He was hanged the following year in San Quentin prison. Until the Lindbergh kidnapping in 1932, no crime against a child would ever so outrage the American public. The case made headlines coast to coast and even inspired a macabre ballad.
The Parkers continued to live in their Wilton Place home until 1948. In later interviews, an adult Marjorie said she was convinced her sister’s spirit lingered in the house as well. Subsequent owners have also attested to eerie sounds, small objects moving, doors inexplicably opening and closing, flickering lights and odd footsteps. Some describe the haunting presence as friendly but childlike.
Although it was a somber, drizzly day when I shot this photo, there were no wraiths in sight. And while I always enjoy sleuthing a good mystery, I’m not the type to just walk up unannounced, knock on the door, and badger occupants about their alleged spooks. (Bad enough they see me outside snapping pictures.)
Still, some day I’d like to meet the current owners and find out what–if anything–they hear going bump in the night.
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I’d never heard this story before. Did anyone ever make a movie about it?
I wrote today’s post with you in mind :)
It’s a fascinating and terrible case, one that always chills the blood when I share it on our 1947project Crime Bus tours. Poor Marjorie, can you imagine living in that house, knowing every day that had you been the smaller twin, you’d be dead (for Hickman didn’t know his victim’s first name, and only asked for “the little one” when the woman in the school office pressed him).
Highly recommended is the posthumous book by Hickman’s attorney Richard Cantillon, “In Defense of the Fox,” which discusses his client’s schizophrenic thinking at length, and the failure of their innovative insanity plea. The small ransom was meant to pay his fees for divinity school… but it was not to be. LAPL Central has a reference copy, water damaged from the fire.
Oh yes, and weirdest of all: Ayn Rand had a crush on the Fox!
Kim: Thanks for the additional info. What a bizarre case. By the way, I really enjoy the 1947Project Website. Hope to take your tour one day soon. — MI
Mike….fascinating story. Let’s get that book out! Love the website…Patrick
Thanks, Patrick. Glad you like my site. Rest assured my book is still in the works. Just to let other visitors know, Patrick is very active with Olvera Street and the Pasadena Playhouse — two extremely interesting historical sites that I hope my readers will take the time to visit and/or support if you haven’t done so recently. — MI
You mention that in later interviews Marjorie said she believed Marion’s spirit lingered in the house. Could you site sources of the interview? I’d like to read more of what Marjorie had to say about the kidnapping. Thanks
S.J., Unfortunately since writing that post, my computer suffered a data loss, so I can’t find all the sources I used. Going by memory, I believe my info on Marjorie came from: (1) an interview several years ago with a West Adams preservationist and/or (2) an old LAT article by Cecilia Rasmussen. — MI
It did NOT come from that LA Times article cause I just bought it and it was simply an overview.
I would LOVE To find the interview with the Preservationist. Any idea?
DPM, as stated above, my best recollection was the above two sources. There may also be information in the History Dept. of the L.A. Central Library. I know L.A. Magazine also carried a piece on the house several years ago, but I don’t think it mentioned the Marjorie link. I wish I could do better to recall the source — it’s embarrassing not to be able to give a better answer. — Mike