The Shocking Case of Helle Crafts: The Wood Chipper Murder
In the annals of true crime, some cases are so chilling they haunt the public consciousness for decades. The story of Helle Crafts is one such case. A loving mother, a dedicated flight attendant, and an unsuspecting victim, Helle Crafts’ tragic end came at the hands of her husband, Richard Crafts, in a manner that left the world both horrified and captivated.
A Picturesque Life Shattered
Helle Lorck Nielsen, later known as Helle Crafts, was born in Denmark and moved to the United States, where she pursued a career as a flight attendant. It was during her time with Pan American World Airways that she met Richard Crafts, a pilot. They married in 1975 and settled in Newtown, Connecticut, leading what appeared to be an idyllic suburban life. However, beneath the surface, their marriage was marred by turmoil.
The Disappearance
On the night of November 18, 1986, Helle Crafts was last seen by her friends and colleagues. She had confided in them about her concerns regarding her husband’s infidelity and her intention to divorce him. When she didn’t show up for work the next day and her friends couldn’t reach her, worry began to set in.
Richard Crafts claimed that Helle had flown to Denmark to visit her mother, but her friends and family knew this was unlikely. Helle had also recently hired a private investigator to follow Richard, gathering evidence of his extramarital affairs. This revelation painted Richard as a prime suspect in her sudden disappearance.
The Investigation
Detective Henry Lee, renowned for his forensic expertise, played a pivotal role in unraveling the mystery. Initial searches of the Crafts’ home revealed bloodstains on the mattress and bedding, but it wasn’t until a snowplow driver came forward with a crucial tip that the investigation took a gruesome turn.
The driver reported seeing Richard operating a wood chipper near Lake Zoar during a snowstorm around the time of Helle’s disappearance. This led investigators to the lake, where they conducted an intensive search. What they found was both horrifying and groundbreaking.
The Evidence
Scattered along the banks of the lake were small fragments of steel, bone, and tissue. Forensic experts confirmed that these remains belonged to Helle Crafts. The discovery of a chainsaw with hair and tissue matching Helle’s DNA, found in the nearby river, further solidified the case against Richard.
The prosecution argued that Richard had struck Helle in the head with a blunt object, possibly while she was sleeping, then froze her body in a freezer before dismembering it with the chainsaw and disposing of the remains using the wood chipper. This method of disposal was unprecedented in criminal investigations at the time.
The Trial and Conviction
The trial of Richard Crafts was a landmark case in forensic science. It was one of the first to successfully prosecute a murder without a body, relying heavily on forensic evidence and expert testimony. The state’s case was built on the meticulous reconstruction of the crime, demonstrating how Richard attempted to cover up his heinous act.
In 1989, after a lengthy trial and a mistrial due to a hung jury, Richard Crafts was found guilty of murder and sentenced to 50 years in prison. His conviction marked a significant achievement in forensic investigation and set a precedent for future cases involving body disposal.
Sources used for this episode:
1. Newtown Bee. "Notorious Crafts Murder Shook Newtown Ten Years Ago." https://www.newtownbee.com/08111999/notorious-crafts-murder-shook-newtown-ten-years-ago/
2. Newtown Bee. "Richard Crafts Moved To Homeless Shelter For Veterans." https://www.newtownbee.com/01302020/richard-crafts-moved-to-homeless-shelter-for-veterans/
3. News Times. "23 Years Ago, Richard Crafts Was More Willing to Talk About His Wife's Disappearance." https://www.newstimes.com/local/article/23-years-ago-richard-crafts-was-more-willing-to-256633.php
4. Find a Grave. "Helle Lorck Crafts." https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/20674531/helle_lorck-crafts
5. Forensic Files - Season 1, Episode 1 - "The Disappearance of Helle Crafts." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6k1xIuP1iE
6. Stories of the Unsolved. "The Murder of Helle Crafts"
7. Wikipedia - The Murder of Helle Crafts
8. The Boston Globe. "Connecticut man who put wife in wood chipper released from prison 20 years early"
The New York Times. "Everything but a Body in Murder Trial"
The New York Times. "50-Year Sentence Imposed in 'Wood Chipper' Murder.
Citations:
Photo and video sources:
It's Christmastime, Charlie Brown | 1992 | CBS
Mr. Deeds | 2002 | Columbia Pictures, New Line Cinema, Sony Pictures Releasing
Bridge Over the River Kwai | 1957 | Columbia Pictures
Virgin River | S3E3 Grilled | Netflix
Fargo | 1996 | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Universal Pictures, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, Gramercy Pictures
The Mauritanian | 2021 | STX Entertainment
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All information contained in this video presentation is provided for entertainment purposes only. The authors leave any and all conclusions to individual members of the audience. The author offers no statements of fact beyond those available through diligent private research or through information freely available in the public record. To the extent that pending or settled criminal matters or crime or possible crimes, are discussed in this video presentation. All parties or defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. To the extent that any pending or settle civil matters are discussed in this video presentation, all parties or defendants are presumed not liable unless proven liable in a court of law. Copyright for material incorporated and presented under Fair Use is retained by the original author or copyright holder where applicable. Our cases are researched using open source and archive materials, and the subjects are real crimes and people. We strive to produce each episode with respect to the victims, their families and loved ones. At Hitched 2 Homicide we are committed to always discussing how victims lived, and not just how they died. All podcast information is gleaned from sources given. All opinions in the podcast are solely of Hitched 2 Homicide.
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