"The Red Lipstick Murder. Mrs. Jeanne Axford French Age 40 (Nurse) of 3535 Military Ave, Sawtell. LA. Killed by ??. Her Body Was Found I A Field Near Grand View Ave, & National Blvd. LA. 2-10-57. She was Stomped To Death By A Fiend Who Crudely Printed An Obscene Phrase (Fuck You) On Her Chest."
Mrs. Jeanne Axford French, age 40 (nurse) of 3535 Military Ave, Sawtell, Los Angeles killed by ?? Her body was found in a field near Grand View Ave & National Blvd, LA 2/10/1947. She was stomped to death by a fiend who crudely printed an obscene phrase (Fuck You) on her chest.
An ex-marine, contemplating voluntary admission to a psycho-neurotic ward, was held on suspicion of murder after admitting to having quarreled with his estranged wife just hours before her mutilated and crushed body was found in a vacant lot. The gruesome discovery was made by construction worker H.C. Shelby, who was on his way to work around 8 a.m. on Grand View Boulevard, about half a mile south of National Boulevard. Shelby noticed a small pile of women's clothing in the weeds, a few feet from the sidewalk. Upon lifting a fur-trimmed coat from the pile, he uncovered the nearly nude, brutally beaten body of the woman.
The victim was identified as 45-year-old Jeanne T. French, a striking dark-haired woman known for her colorful life as a "flying nurse" who had once mingled with the international elite in Paris, London, and New York. Her estranged husband, Frank F. French, a 47-year-old veteran of two wars, swore "before man and my God" that he was not responsible for his wife’s horrific death. Despite his plea of innocence, police noted inconsistencies in his account of his whereabouts between midnight Sunday and the discovery of the body on Monday morning, leading officers to believe they had the right suspect.
Jeanne French's life was one of intrigue and connection to high society. In her earlier years, she had been a movie bit player and later served as a private nurse to prominent figures. Among her notable employers was Millicent Rogers, the oil heiress and former wife of the Count of Siam. Jeanne had also cared for Marion Wilson, famously known as the "Woman in Black," who had gained notoriety for frequently placing flowers on Rudolf Valentino's grave and for attempting suicide in recent years. Jeanne had traveled extensively and lived in Paris, where she moved among the international elite, more as a friend than merely an employee. She had returned to the U.S. in 1940 after fleeing across war-torn Europe as the German army advanced.
Jeanne French’s murder was the second mutilation killing in Los Angeles within a month, adding to the city’s growing unease. Investigators were determined to hold Frank French accountable, citing the major discrepancies in his timeline and casting doubt on his claims of innocence.
The nude body of the victim, savagely beaten and sexually mutilated, was discovered by a bulldozer operator on his way to a housing project. The killer had violently bludgeoned her head and then viciously stomped on her breasts, hands, and face with heavy shoes. Due to the severe damage to her face, her identity had to be confirmed through fingerprint analysis. Autopsy surgeon Dr. Frederick Newbarr conducted the examination, revealing extensive injuries: heel marks ran along the length of her body, her neck and lower right jaw were broken, and both arms had sustained fractures. Several ribs were also shattered, one of which punctured her heart, ultimately causing her death.
Though she had not been raped, other injuries suggested the work of an impotent sexual psychopath. These injuries, likely inflicted with a knife, appeared to have been made while the victim was still alive. Analyzation of her stomach contents showed that she had eaten a meal of chop suey shortly before her death. The brutality of the crime was further underscored by a disturbing detail—an obscene taunt was scrawled in red lipstick across her abdomen, accompanied by two large letters, "BD." Initially, police speculated that the letters stood for "Black Dahlia," referencing the infamous murder of Elizabeth Short on January 15. However, they quickly began to doubt any direct connection between the two cases.
Homicide Captain Jack Donahoe suggested that the killer may have imitated elements of the Black Dahlia murder in an attempt to confuse investigators, using the letters and mutilation as a distraction. Upon closer examination, it was revealed that the letters actually spelled "PD," with the words "Fuck You" written beneath them in smaller script, and signed "Tex." To the right of "Tex," it also appeared that the word "bitch" had been written, adding another chilling layer to the horrific crime scene.
The murder of Jeanne T. French conveniently interrupted her scheduled appointment with her husband, Frank F. French, at the city attorney's office, where they were set to discuss charges of wife-beating. Jeanne had had her husband arrested for this offense just nine days prior to her brutal death. The meeting was also intended to cover the possibility of divorce and Frank’s application for admission to the psychoneurotic ward at Sawtelle Veteran's Hospital. Although Frank had been excused from work to attend the noon appointment, the city attorney's office reported that he failed to show up. Initially, Frank denied seeing his wife on the night before her murder, but under police questioning, he eventually admitted they had been out drinking at several bars until around 11:45 p.m. According to his account, Jeanne initiated a quarrel, hit him with her purse, and left, driving away on her own. He claimed she had been drinking heavily. “Before me and my God, I did not harm my wife,” Frank insisted. “I did not lay a hand on her.”
Described by the police as a "tall, leathery-faced ex-marine" with a "hard-bitten, phlegmatic, and steel-nerved" demeanor, French was not forthcoming with information during the investigation. He remained largely stoic, offering few details voluntarily. Frank and Jeanne, who had once been known as Jeanne Axford Thomas when she appeared in films during the 1930s, had been married for only two years before the murder. Jeanne had a son, David Wrather, aged 24, from a previous marriage to David Y. Wrather, an Amarillo, Texas farm and oil operator. The couple had separated in 1924, with Jeanne winning custody of their son.
Jeanne T. French, a trained nurse by profession, earned the nickname "Flying Nurse" when she became one of the first women pilots in 1929. Her pioneering spirit extended beyond aviation, as she also served as one of the nation’s first airline stewardesses and worked as a nurse for a flying ambulance service. During the war, she contributed as a flying army nurse, solidifying her reputation as an adventurous and capable figure.
After hours of interrogation, officers booked her husband, Frank French, a discharged Marine Corps sergeant, on suspicion of murder. Detective Gene Bechtel, of the homicide division, reported that Mrs. French’s body had been found bludgeoned and covered with heel marks on a remote West Los Angeles hilltop. The body was discovered in a field near the 3200 block of Grand View Boulevard, just a quarter-mile from Clover Field and half a mile south of National Boulevard. The secluded hilltop, locally known as "the Moors," was considered a popular lover's lane due to its privacy. It was estimated that Jeanne had been dead for about two hours when her body was found on a clear, rain-washed morning.
At the crime scene, technicians captured tire marks left on the nearby pavement and took casts of shoe prints found in the mud near the body. However, despite the suspicion cast on Frank, the evidence began to point away from him. Plaster impressions of the shoe marks near the body did not match the shoes he was wearing, and the heel prints found on Jeanne’s body were also inconsistent with his footwear. Additionally, no bloodstains were discovered on the clothing Frank claimed to have worn that night. His alibi was further strengthened by his landlady, who corroborated his statement that he had been in his room during the time the murder was committed and had never left. Frank also insisted that he couldn’t drive a car, adding further doubt to his potential involvement.
The police identified Jeanne T. French through her fingerprints, which had been recorded during a prior arrest for intoxication. Authorities revealed that she had been arrested for drunkenness on three separate occasions. This detail added a tragic layer to her life story, as her struggles with alcohol appeared to have been a recurring issue. Despite her once-glamorous life as a "Flying Nurse" and her international experiences, these arrests painted a picture of a woman who faced personal battles in the years leading up to her untimely and brutal death.
Frank French provided a detailed account of the events leading up to his wife Jeanne’s death. He claimed that Jeanne came to his boarding house in Santa Monica late Sunday night, around 11 p.m., and asked him to go out with her. When he declined, an argument ensued, during which she struck him in the face with her purse before leaving abruptly. French stated that after the altercation, he went to bed and did not hear from her again. He insisted that they had parted just before midnight and that the next time he heard of her was when her body was discovered the following morning at 8:15 a.m.
French also told officers that the couple had spent Sunday night “drinking around at various bars,” but was quick to distance himself from any suggestion of excessive drinking, declaring, "I am not what you'd call a hard drinking man." Additionally, it came to light that French had attempted to reach Jeanne earlier that evening around 7 p.m., calling her residence. Since she was not home, he left a message with another boarder, expressing his desire to meet and speak with her, cryptically adding that “if she [hadn't] been drinking, she [knew] where” to find him. This attempt to contact her prior to the night’s events hinted at potential premeditated intentions or at least a strained dynamic in their relationship.
Frank French revealed that he and his wife had parted ways about a week prior, agreeing to live separately for six months. Their relationship had become increasingly tumultuous, with French attributing the decision for the separation to Jeanne’s behavior when she had been drinking. He noted that she had been drinking on the night of her death but claimed she "did not appear to be intoxicated."
Just a week before Jeanne's tragic demise, the ex-Marine had been released from custody following an arrest on domestic violence charges, which she had chosen not to pursue. The emotional toll of the situation became evident when Jeanne's son, David Wrather, 25, from Redondo Beach, collapsed upon learning of his mother’s death, highlighting the profound impact of the loss on their family.
Police investigations suggested that Mrs. French was likely killed near the site where her body was discovered. Chemists noted a pool of blood found nearby, along with evidence indicating that her body had been dragged through the brush for a short distance. Additionally, fresh skid marks in the mud pointed to the killer's hasty departure in her vehicle.
The investigation led to the discovery of a car registered in Mrs. French’s name, which was found parked in a lot beneath a drive-in sign at Washington and Sepulveda Boulevards, approximately one and a half miles from the murder scene. Traffic officers H.E. Riker and H.J. Golden reported that a night watchman had seen a swarthy, short man parking the vehicle around 3:15 a.m., roughly three hours before police estimated the time of death, further complicating the timeline of events surrounding the murder.
Upon examination, police chemists subjected the vehicle registered to Mrs. French to rigorous testing, yet they found no evidence of bloodstains. This prompted investigators to theorize that Mrs. French had likely been driven to the murder scene late on Sunday night. According to their hypothesis, she was stripped of her clothing and brutally beaten with a heavy object—most likely a tire iron or wrench—while she crouched naked on the roadside.
After the assault, the murderer dragged her body into the adjacent field, where her clothing, including a powder blue coat trimmed with red fox fur cuffs and a burgundy dress, was discarded atop her remains. Disturbingly, there were no stockings or underwear present, save for a flesh-colored brassiere that lay discarded next to her body. Her brown leather shoes were found further into the field, tossed aside and separated from the rest of her clothing, adding to the gruesome scene and further complicating the investigation into her tragic death.
One of the last individuals to see Mrs. French alive was Ray J. Fecher, the owner of a drive-in café located at 11925 Santa Monica Boulevard. Fecher reported to police that between 9:30 and 10:00 PM on Sunday, Mrs. French entered his café alone to order a cup of coffee. Shortly thereafter, she moved on to a bar at 10421 Venice Boulevard, where she was also alone. During her time at the bar, she confided to the bartender that her husband "liked dark things." It was evident that she had been drinking, as she loudly complained about her husband's violent behavior and suggested he might "do anything." To emphasize her point, she lifted her dark sunglasses to reveal a black eye, a physical testament to her claims. She also informed the bartender that she planned to commit her husband to the neuropsychiatric ward at Sawtelle Veterans Hospital the following day.
Another witness, Marshall Watkins, residing at 1438 Armacost Avenue in West Los Angeles, reported seeing Mrs. French drive away from the "Turkey Bowl" café several hours before her body was discovered. In an interview with the *Valley Times*, Watkins recounted that he encountered Mrs. French while stopping at the café to purchase a newspaper. He noted that she appeared to be intoxicated and was engaged in a hushed conversation with another inebriated woman. While waiting for his change, Watkins overheard Mrs. French make repeated references to a man she referred to as a "bum." She also mentioned the phrase "just like the Black Dahlia," but he didn't catch the full context as he was not fully focused on the conversation.
Watkins observed that Mrs. French's car was parked about four feet from the curb, and when she drove away, her movements were erratic, further indicating her state of intoxication at the time.
Police theorized that Mrs. French may have gone to visit her husband after leaving the bar. Car hop waitress Toni Manalatos, who worked at a drive-in restaurant located at 3992 Sepulveda Boulevard, informed investigators that Mrs. French and her companion were at the establishment from 12:10 AM until 1:30 AM. Manalatos described the man accompanying Mrs. French as short, dark-haired, with a small toothbrush mustache, and of swarthy complexion. Other employees corroborated the sighting, stating they saw Mrs. French leave the drive-in with the dark-haired man. Cleanup worker Tony Anzione also reported noticing Mrs. French's car in the drive-in's parking lot, unoccupied, at around 2:00 AM. Shortly after, a slight blond man approached him, explaining that he had run out of gasoline and requested to use the telephone. Police were unable to ascertain Mrs. French's whereabouts between 3:15 AM and the estimated time of her death at 6:00 AM.
In their investigation, police interviewed numerous sex offenders but eliminated them from suspicion. They also explored local Chinese restaurants after autopsy results indicated that Mrs. French had eaten chop suey about an hour before her death, but this line of inquiry yielded no leads.
Mr. French, a veteran who served 23 years in the Marines, had been placed on inactive status in 1943 and received a pension of $133 a month. He was currently employed at an aircraft plant in Santa Monica. The couple had married in 1944 in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Mr. French professed his love for her, stating, "I loved her; I wouldn't harm a hair on her head."
Her son, David Wrather, implored officers to allow him to speak with Mr. French privately, insisting, "He'll tell me things he won't tell you." However, Captain Jack Donahoe of the homicide squad refused to permit a solo interrogation. During a visit to police headquarters, Wrather confronted his stepfather, declaring, "My mother has been killed." Mr. French simply stared back, remaining stoic. Overcome with grief, Wrather lost control of his emotions and required assistance to leave the room.
Police planned to administer a lie detector test to Mr. French as part of their investigation. When asked about his willingness to undergo the test, he confidently replied, "I am not only willing to, but I myself suggested it to the police last night." Meanwhile, police chemists were analyzing his clothing for any possible traces of blood. Although none of Mr. French's garments revealed bloodstains, detectives began searching cleaning establishments in Santa Monica and West Los Angeles for a missing pair of trousers. There was speculation that he might have disposed of them, as they were reportedly stained with mercurochrome, which French claimed had been spilled during a confrontation with his wife.
Scientific tests conducted by County Chemist R.J. Abernathy revealed that Mrs. French was undoubtedly very intoxicated at the time she fell victim to her assailant. Abernathy noted that the blood analysis indicated she had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.30 percent, more than double the level typically associated with significant drunkenness.
During the inquest, a coroner's jury concluded that Mrs. French was slain by an unknown individual or individuals. The principal witnesses at the hearing included her son, David Yandell Wrather, and her estranged husband, Frank French, who confirmed the identity of the deceased as his wife. Although charges against Mr. French were dropped, he remained in custody due to a previous intoxication charge, pending action from probation authorities. Jeanne French, originally from Texas, had endured four tumultuous and brief marriages throughout her life.
- Jeanne French's first marriage occurred at the age of 18 when she wed David Yandell Wrather in 1919. This union, however, did not stand the test of time, as they divorced in 1924.
- Her second marriage took place on May 3, 1925, in Long Beach, Los Angeles County, when she married David Smith Thomas. At that time, she was known as Jeanette Catherine Axford Wrather.
- Jeanne's third marriage was to Curtis Perry Bower on October 26, 1931, also in Los Angeles. At this point, she was identified as Jeanne Axford Thomas. Unfortunately, this marriage was fleeting, lasting only five weeks.
- Finally, Jeanne French married Frank Fredrick French on December 30, 1944, in Jacksonville, Onslow County, North Carolina. Once again, she used the name Jeanne Axford Thomas. Each of her marriages reflected a tumultuous personal life, characterized by brief unions that ultimately ended in separation.
In 1950, the Jeanne French case was reopened, drawing renewed attention when two investigators from the District Attorney's office were tasked with reinvestigating the matter. Frank Jemison and Walter Morgan were assigned to the case at the request of a grand jury convened that same year.
Lieutenant Morgan recounted his experience, stating, "I worked on the case with Jemison for almost eight months, but we weren’t able to close it." Despite their extensive efforts, the investigation did not lead to a resolution. However, the team did identify one significant suspect during their inquiry, who was later cleared of any involvement in the crime.
The primary suspect in the case, George Whitt, was a painter who had previously painted the victim's house approximately four months before her murder. Following the death of Jeanne French, it came to light that Whitt had dated her on several occasions. Alarmingly, the day after the murder, he was seen burning multiple pairs of his shoes. Lieutenant Morgan noted, "He wore almost the same size shoes as those discovered in footprints at the murder scene and became frightened that he would be linked with the crime." However, it was later confirmed that Whitt's shoe size did not match those found at the scene, leading to his eventual clearance as a suspect.
When questioned by the police, George Whitt presented with a black eye and a lacerated nose, raising suspicions further. His appearance coincided with the general description of a man wanted for a strong-arm robbery, prompting investigators to reassess the shoe prints found on Mrs. French's body. H. Leo Stanley, chief investigator for the District Attorney's office, remarked that the prints might have originated from a woman's shoe rather than a man's. He emphasized that while the prints could still potentially belong to a man's smaller shoe size, they were not ruling out any possibility of uncovering new evidence in the case.
Police technicians examined the prints and determined that they were smudged but consistent with heel prints from a "standard size men's shoe." In light of these developments, Stanley announced that DA investigators Frank C. Jemison and Walter Morgan planned to interview a female friend of Mrs. French and inspect all of her shoes to gather further evidence.
George Hodel emerged as a suspect in the murder of Jeanne French; however, I contest the notion that he was the true perpetrator. In my assessment, the evidence points more convincingly to her husband as the actual killer. This speculation leads me to ponder whether "Tex," the name associated with the oil industry, could refer to her first husband, David Yandell Wrather. It is possible that this was a nickname he used, adding another layer of intrigue to the case.
The dynamics of Jeanne's tumultuous relationships suggest that her husband had both motive and opportunity, making him a more likely suspect. As the investigation unfolded, it became clear that the complexities of their marriage could have contributed to a volatile situation, potentially leading to tragic consequences. Therefore, while Hodel’s involvement cannot be entirely dismissed, I believe the focus should be directed toward her husband and the possibility that his past and personality might have played a crucial role in her untimely demise.
The details surrounding the crime scene suggest that the perpetrator fits the profile of an Affective-Vehicle (AV) type killer. A defining characteristic of this type of offender is the disorder evident at the crime scene, indicative of a crime of passion rather than premeditation. In such cases, the murder is typically impulsive, arising from an immediate emotional trigger, with the victim viewed merely as an object through which the offender can release pent-up rage.
Three key factors align with the Affective-Vehicle theme: the attempted sexual assault, the public display of the body, and the use of the victim's clothing as a means of restraint. Notably, the absence of the woman’s stockings and underwear from the scene points to an attempt at sexual violation. Furthermore, the brassiere may have been employed to bind the victim’s wrists during the assault. In many instances, the initial intention of the offender is sexual in nature, but if the victim resists or defends herself, the situation escalates to murder. Driven by anger, the offender often resorts to using their hands and feet as weapons, showcasing a raw and violent response.
Additionally, behaviors such as scattering the victim's clothing, ransacking their belongings, and stealing the victim's vehicle are common in such crimes. In this case, the offender’s decision to drive away in the victim’s car suggests a calculated yet impulsive act, providing a swift means of escape after committing the crime.
The emotional underpinnings of these offenses are rooted in rage, frequently leading to acts of sexual violence that remain incomplete. The killer typically exhibits an explosive personality—impulsive, quick-tempered, and self-centered—often resulting in superficial social relationships limited to drinking companions or sex workers. This confidence is starkly illustrated by the audacity of leaving a victim in plain view on an isolated hilltop; a local individual would likely avoid disposing of a body near their own home to evade attention.
Conflict with women often permeates the killer’s psyche, characterized by a dependence that breeds aggressive resistance. When faced with rejection or confrontation, the offender may resort to various forms of aggression to retaliate or degrade women. Sexual frustration and feelings of impotence can also inform the motivations behind these crimes, linking anger to perceived sexual inadequacy. The murders are typically impulsive, where even minor resistance from the victim can provoke lethal outcomes. In my view, these acts are not just murders but violent expressions of retaliation or revenge against women. The killer likely has a history of undetected rapes and murders, suggesting a pattern of escalating violence that will continue until apprehended.
- Sex - Male
- Age - 28 - 34
- Ethnicity – White (tan skin)
- Employment - unskilled - (for example, truck driver, marine activities)
- Education - High School Drop Out
- Marriage Status - Single, but Divorced
- No military service
- Superficially glib and charming
- Self-Confident
- Appears non-threatening initially
- Physically Strong – not to be confused with someone who works out every day at the gym
- Quick to Anger
- Lures girls with alcohol and drugs
- May have a formal criminal record involving assaultive behavior with a knife and may include burglary
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