Was one of Seattle’s most notorious killers murdering her patients and stealing their fortunes on purpose, or did she really believe that starvation was the cure for every disease? Welcome to the world of Dr. Linda Burfield Hazzard, one of alternate medicine’s most notorious quacks, who always seemed to end up with power of attorney over her wealthy victims shortly before they died under mysterious circumstances.
Content note: This episode involves detailed discussion of disordered eating, medical malpractice, and death by starvation.
Featured image: A portrait of Linda Burfield Hazzard (Image source)
Dr. Henry S. Tanner, who popularized the fasting cure fad in the late 1800s, before and after a 40-day fast. (Image source for image 1) (Image source for image 2)
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The Williamson sisters (Claire in the center, Dora on the left). (Image source)
A news article discussing Hazzard’s reputed good health and svelte physique in the middle of her legal troubles. (Image source)
Hazzard (on the right) before her stay in prison. Before and during her imprisonment, Hazzard gave a lot of press interviews trying to put a positive spin on her legal troubles. (Image source)
A report on Hazzard’s attempted return to prominence in 1922. (Image source)
Sources
- Starvation Heights: A True Story of Murder and Malice in the Woods of the Pacific Northwest
- ANOREXIA AND THE HOLINESS OF SAINT CATHERINE OF SIENA
- Moore [née Peg], Ann
- THE WAY WE LIVE NOW: 3-16-03: BODY CHECK; The Bittersweet Science
- Intermittent fasting: a “new” historical strategy for controlling seizures?
- Fasting for the Cure of Disease
- DEWEY’S BOOKS
- Refeeding syndrome: what it is, and how to prevent and treat it
- The Fasting Cure
- The Forty Days’ Fast
- Fasting as a cure for disease
- Tanner’s Fortieth Day
- Dr. Tanner as a lecturer
- This Is What May Be Causing Your Fruity Breath
- Too many wives
- Thought he had a divorce
- Bigamy trial begins
- State’s case against Hazzard
- Bigamist Hazzard is found guilty
- Son of English lord blows out his brains
- Sixty-two days without food
- Fasting man is sought in vain by doctors
- Rader dies after a long fast of 39 days
- Claimed to be dying because of “fast” cure
- Starved patients for their money
- Starvation doctor accused as slayer
- Tells how Mrs. Hazzard treated them in Olalla
- Dr. Hazzard and the doctors
- Today in Feminist History: Women’s Votes Swing Seattle’s Mayoral Recall Election
- A ballot for the ladies
- The fasting cure
- Bribe offer told at Hazzard trial