Murder of Miss Billie O'Shannon 1938

In Death Scenes, a black-and-white photograph titled "Billie O'Shannon killed by Marie Woods over a marijuana cigarette" captures a chilling moment of tragedy. The victim, Miss Lillian May Akers, a 22-year-old waitress from Modesto, California, was known by her alias, Billie Maureen O'Shannon. She was killed by Miss Frances Marie Woods, a 25-year-old nurse from Bakersfield, residing at 1660 D Street. The seemingly minor dispute over a marijuana cigarette escalated into fatal violence. The story behind this photograph, the result of extensive research into 1938 newspaper archives, reveals the grim and tragic outcome of a brief but intense conflict between the two women. The facts, meticulously gathered from period news reports, highlight the darkness that could erupt from seemingly mundane situations.