August 23, 1931
San Dimas canyon, California
The body of Frank Hinchcliff is found following an unusual suicide

Hinchcliff (32), for motives unknown, decided to end his life by placing a stick of dynamite under his hat, connecting 2 wires to the “sparking apparatus of his automobile,” and touching the wires together causing the dynamite (and the top of his head) to explode.

Clipping: Covina Argus (Covina, California) August 27, 1931

Other crime stories from today:
1305: The execution of William Wallace (2017)
1944: Airplane crash kills 61 including children (2017)
1912: 4-year-old disappears, “found” in another state (2018)

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Today in Horror History: August 23