Solve It! The Eerie End of Theodora Finch

— From the Archives: A 1920s Article by Lanie Price —

Dear Reader:

On this day in 1924, Harlem's social circles were set abuzz with the shocking death of Theodora Finch, a renowned spiritualist whose séances were as famous as her generosity toward community projects. On the evening of July 12, 1924, Finch invited a select group to her home for the stated purpose of discussing the construction of a new elementary school. However, the true reason for the gathering was far more sinister—Finch suspected one of her guests was trying to kill her.

Crime Scene:

Finch had experienced several near-fatal incidents. Fearing for her life, she had decided to gather those she suspected in one place. Finch's elegant townhouse on Strivers' Row provided the setting for this chilling event. Once everyone had gathered, she revealed her true motive and said she would use her scrying mirror to identify the would-be murderer. The tension in the room rose as Finch activated the device.

Witnesses described a flash of light and a terrible cry as Finch collapsed, convulsing on the floor. The séance room, adorned with mystical paraphernalia, became a scene of chaos. As the air thickened with the smell of ozone and burning wires, her guests were thrown into disarray. Broken crystal balls, scattered tarot cards, and overturned furniture spoke of the confusion that ensued.

Cause of Death:

Finch was electrocuted. The electric scrying mirror, a device central to her séances, had been tampered with. The wires inside it had been stripped and repositioned to cause a fatal short circuit. Experts said anyone familiar with basic electrical wiring could’ve sabotaged the device within ten minutes. Each guest had opportunity—a moment alone near the séance room—but who had the skills to do it?

Police turned up several suspects but were unable to zero in on any one of them. The person or persons responsible for Finch’s death remain free.

Suspects and Motives:

These were the five guests. Each had a motive to dispatch Finch to the Great Beyond:

• Walt Turner:

  • Background: Turner, an electrician, had left Finch for another woman. He accused Finch of manipulating his new romantic interest, affecting her decisions, and damaging their relationship. He feared Theodora’s influence and wanted to end it.

  • Tool Found: A pocket knife capable of stripping wires was found in his possession.

• Claude Bennett:

  • Background: Bennett, an architect, and Finch were enemy neighbors, their last clashes being particularly acute. Bennett began to suffer one misfortune after another, including losing contract after contract. The architect became convinced that Finch had cursed him. Driven by desperation and superstitious belief, Claude wanted Theodora gone.

  • Tool Found: A small pair of scissors, useful for cutting wires, was found among his belongings.

• Reverend Calvin Leonard:

  • Background: Leonard, a local preacher used to overseeing small renovation projects, was a vocal critic of the spiritualist, accusing her of being a fraud who was leading his congregation astray. He publicly accused her of engaging in harmful deception and spiritual misguidance and was furious over what Finch did to Viola Conway.

  • Tool Found: A nail file, which could be used to scrape insulation off wires, was found in his coat pocket.

• Viola Conway:

  • Background: Conway, Leonard’s church secretary and a widow, has had to learn to make home repairs on her own. Bereft over the death of her husband, Evan, Conway ignored Leonard’s warnings and asked Finch to help her contact Evan’s spirit, a decision she came to regret. Conway ended up paying Finch her life savings—for nothing. Deciding that Finch was a fraud, Conway demanded her money back but Finch refused.

  • Tool Found: A bent hairpin was discovered near the séance room, which could be used to manipulate wires.

• Nathan Grant:

  • Background: Grant was Finch’s younger half-brother and served as a radio technician during World War I. He was deeply in debt due to his gambling addiction and was desperately trying to get Finch to “loan” him money. As her only living relative, he stood to inherit her brownstone.

  • Tool Found: A pair of pliers, commonly used for electrical work, was found in his coat.

Readers, let’s undertake this case together and solve the mystery of Theodora Finch’s death. Who tampered with the scrying mirror? Who stood to gain the most from her demise? Analyze the clues, scrutinize the suspects, and share your theories.

Yours in pursuit of the truth,

Lanie Price
Society Reporter for The Harlem Chronicle
12  July 1925

(Note: This case is a work of fiction and the characters involved are wholly imaginary.)