Thelma Todd was a popular Hollywood actress in the 1920s and 1930s, known for her comedic roles in films such as Monkey Business and Horse Feathers with the Marx Brothers, and Speak Easily with Buster Keaton and Jimmy Durante. She was also a successful businesswoman, owning a restaurant and a beach club in Malibu. She was nicknamed the “Ice Cream Blonde” for her blonde hair and fair complexion. However, her life came to a tragic and mysterious end on December 16, 1935, when she was found dead in her car at the age of 29. What was the cause of her death, and was it a suicide, an accident, or a murder?
The Discovery of the Body
According to the Library of Congress, Thelma Todd’s body was discovered by her maid, Mae Whitehead, in the garage of her business partner and occasional lover, Roland West. The garage was located above West’s apartment, where Todd had attended a party the night before. She was slumped in the front seat of her car, wearing a blue and silver evening gown, a mink coat, and jewelry. She had blood on her face and lips, and a broken nose. The car’s engine was off, but the key was still in the ignition. The coroner’s report stated that she had died of carbon monoxide poisoning, and that she had a blood alcohol level of 0.13 percent. The death was ruled as accidental, with the possibility of suicide.
However, many aspects of the case raised doubts and suspicions. For one thing, how did Todd get into the garage, which was locked from the inside? West claimed that he had given her a key, but the key was never found. Moreover, why did she choose to sleep in her car, when she had a luxurious apartment nearby, or could have stayed with West? And why was there blood on her face, and signs of violence on her body?
The Theories and Suspects
Several theories and suspects emerged to explain Thelma Todd’s cause of death, ranging from plausible to outlandish. Some of them are:
- Suicide: Some speculated that Todd was depressed and unhappy with her life, and that she decided to end it by inhaling the exhaust fumes of her car. However, this theory was contradicted by the fact that Todd had no history of mental illness, and that she was cheerful and optimistic about her future. She had recently signed a new contract with Hal Roach Studios, and had plans to expand her business ventures. She also left no suicide note, and had no apparent motive to kill herself.
- Accident: Another possibility was that Todd’s death was a tragic accident, and that she had no intention of harming herself. Perhaps she was cold and tired after the party, and decided to warm up in her car, unaware of the danger of carbon monoxide. Or maybe she was drunk and confused, and turned on the engine by mistake. However, this theory also had its flaws. For instance, why did she not notice the smell or the effects of the gas, and why did she not try to escape or call for help?
- Murder: The most intriguing and controversial theory was that Todd was murdered by someone who had a grudge or a motive against her. There were several potential suspects, such as:
- Pat DiCicco: Todd’s ex-husband, who was a notorious gangster and gambler. He had a violent and abusive relationship with Todd, and they divorced in 1934. He was also rumored to be involved in bootlegging and other illegal activities. He could have killed Todd out of jealousy, revenge, or to silence her.
- Lucky Luciano: A notorious mob boss, who was said to have a crush on Todd, and wanted to use her restaurant as a front for his gambling operations. He allegedly threatened Todd and tried to force her to cooperate with him. He could have killed Todd for refusing his advances, or for exposing his plans.
- Roland West: Todd’s business partner and lover, who was also a film director. He was married to another actress, Jewel Carmen, but had a long affair with Todd. He was the last person to see Todd alive, and had access to the garage where she died. He could have killed Todd out of jealousy, guilt, or fear of being exposed.
- Jewel Carmen: West’s wife, who was aware of his affair with Todd. She lived in a house on the hill above the garage, and had a clear view of the scene. She could have killed Todd out of anger, resentment, or revenge.
- Unknown assailant: Todd could have also been killed by someone who had a personal or professional grudge against her, or who wanted to rob her. She could have been attacked on her way to the garage, or lured there by someone she knew. She could have also been a victim of a random or mistaken crime.
The Legacy and Mystery
Thelma Todd’s death shocked and saddened the Hollywood community, and the public at large. She was mourned by her fans, friends, and colleagues, who remembered her as a talented and charming actress, and a generous and kind person. She was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California, with a star-shaped marker that reads “Our Beloved”. Her films and shorts remain popular and influential, and she is regarded as one of the pioneers of comedy in cinema.
However, her death also left behind a mystery that has never been fully solved. Despite several investigations and inquiries, no conclusive evidence or confession has ever been found to determine the exact cause and circumstances of her death. Many questions and contradictions remain, and many theories and speculations persist. Thelma Todd’s cause of death remains one of the most intriguing and controversial cases in Hollywood history.
