Woman Drowns 3 Children: 1957

PUETZ, LINDSAY

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 10/27/2016 at 04:11:22

**Handwritten: Feb. 4th, 1957

In Hospital, Faces Murder Charge
Woman Drowns 3 Children, Suicide Attempt Fails

CHICAGO (AP) - A young mother who, police said, left notes admitting she drowned her three children and then tried to kill herself, was held in a hospital Tuesday on a charge of murder.

The bodies of the children, 3-year-old twin girls and a 5-year-old boy, were found by police in the suburban Park Ridge home of Richard M. Puetz, 32, and his wife, Beverly, 27.

Earlier, when Puetz arrive home from work he found his wife unconscious. Her head was in the oven of the gas stove and the jets were turned on. Puetz said he dragged her to the rear porch, tried to revive her, and called police and firemen.

After firemen revived Mrs. Puetz with an inhalator, she only cried, "My children!" The children, John and his twin sisters, Deborah Lynn and Cora Lynn, were fully clothes when found drowned in the bath tub. Puetz is manager of a women's apparel shop in suburban Evanston.

A warrant charging Mrs. Puetz with murder was issued by Police Magistrate Edward Lundberg on recommendation of an assistant state's attorney. Police Chief Willis Jones ordered Mrs. Puetz's removal to psychopathic hospital for examination.

Puetz said his wife has a nervous breakdown, but that she had appeared content after returning within the last few days from a visit with relatives in Bonaparte, Iowa.

(Friends at Bonaparte today said Mrs. Puetz had visited her parents, Mr. and Mrs. S.G. Lindsay and was not known to be overwrought. They said the Puetz home was recently damaged by fire and this had upset Mrs. Puetz. The friends said the house was repaired while Mrs. Puetz and children were in Bonaparte.)

Deputy Coroner Charles Richards said a note found in the Puetz kitchen read:

"Notice from Beverly Puetz. I drowned the children trying to kill myself but having trouble - gas, electricity, etc. Want police to know I did it because I can't handle myself. Been going for some time ... My husband, Dick, has been wonderful and is better off without me and the kids for I have them so mixed up I felt they couldn't be straightened out - nor myself."

Another note addressed "To Dick," said:

"I hope you can build a new future. I have ruined all this - kids and you - all my own doing. You deserve so much better and I failed you and I couldn't go on."
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**Handwritten: Feb. 4th 1957

Tragedy Strikes In Home of Former Bonaparte Girl

Tuesday's daily papers carried stories reporting tragedy in the home of a former Bonaparte girl, Beverly Lindsay, now Mrs. Richard M. Puetz, of Park Ridge, Ill., near Chicago.

She is reported to have left notes admitting she drowned her three small children and then tried to commit suicide.

When Mr. Puetz arrived home from work on Monday he found his wife unconscious, her head in the oven of a gas stove in the kitchen. He tried to revive her, then called police and firemen, who revived her.

Mrs. Puetz and children had just recently returned home after a visit with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. S.G. Lindsay of Bonaparte. She had remained here while their home was being redecorated after a recent fire. It is thought this may have upset her. Reports say that Mrs. Puetz has been taken to a psychopathic hospital for examination.

Friends of the Lindsay family extend their deepest sympathy.

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book H, Page 5, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA