Wynekoop, Alice (1870–1952)

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Wynekoop, Alice (1870–1952)

American murderer. Name variations: Dr. Alice Wynekoop. Born 1870; died 1952; m. Frank Wynekoop; children: 4.

Was a respected doctor in Chicago; after daughter-in-law Rheta Gardner Wynekoop was found chloroformed and shot to death (Nov 21, 1933), initially speculated that she must have surprised a robber who killed her; later confessed to killing her with an accidental overdose of chloroform, and shooting her to cover up the mistake; eventually recanted confession; in one of the most sensational cases of the day, found guilty of murder (1934) after prosecution asserted that she would have done anything for her son Earle, who was in an unhappy marriage; paroled (1949).