"Ruth Brown" was the possible name of a woman whose body was found in Catclaw Creek in Abilene, Texas.
Case[]
On the afternoon of June 10, 1951, a woman approached the Yellow Cab stand and asked about a hotel. Later, around 5:30, she entered the Wooten Hotel and paid for a room for the night under the name "Ruth Brown" of Route 1, Houston, Texas. Later that evening, she walked west along North 3rd Street and asked two people for directions to Catclaw River. A storm had occurred that day, causing the water levels of Catclaw Creek to rise significantly.
The next morning, around 10:15, a teenage boy discovered the woman's body on the bank of the creek on State Street. Six blocks away at the North 3rd Street crossing of the creek, a single set of footprints and the woman's shoes and purse were found on the bank, indicating the woman jumped into the creek. An investigation determined her cause of death as suicide by drowning. When searching her hotel room, expensive-looking garments were found in her handbag, all with the labels removed. Police searched for women named Ruth Brown from Houston, yet could not find a match, as well as for searches in other towns based on tips, leading investigators to believe it may have not been her real name.
Characteristics[]
- Brown, graying hair.
- Blue eyes.
- Caesarean scar.
- Six top teeth, four of them with fillings.
- No bottom teeth.
- Mole on right upper lip near the nose.
- Mole on the left side of the head above the ear.
Clothing and accessories[]
- Dark blue dress.
- Stockings.
- Red leather handbag.
- White slip.
- Two pairs of pantyhose.
- Navy blue coat.
- Full-length heavy coat.
- Blue purse.
- Blue shoes.
Sources[]
- Ruth Brown at Find a Grave
- FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin POSTMORTEM WARNING (Pages 23-24)
- Abilene Reporter-News