The Unanswered Mystery: Who Put Bella in the Wych Elm?

The question, first asked in graffiti that emerged in 1944, has echoed through the decades. It centers on the disturbing discovery of a woman’s remains in a wych elm tree in Worcestershire, England, in 1943. Despite numerous investigations and theories, the identity of the victim and the circumstances of her death remain a mystery.

Discovery of the Skeletonized Remains

On April 18, 1943, four young boys—Robert Hart, Thomas Willetts, Bob Farmer, and Fred Payne—were poaching near Wychbury Hill in Hagley Wood. While they climbed a wych elm tree to search for bird’s nests, Bob Farmer noticed a skull, still retaining hair, in the hollow trunk. As the police investigated the trunk, they found an almost complete skeleton, a gold wedding ring, and some clothing remains. The discovery of a hand some distance from the tree added to the enigma.

Forensic Examination and Identification Efforts

A subsequent forensic examination confirmed the time of death to be around October 1941 due to the state of rigor mortis. A section of taffeta found in her mouth suggested she had likely died from suffocation. The police reviewed missing persons reports from the region, but none matched the evidence. This led to the cryptic graffiti: “Who put Bella down the wych elm – Hagley Wood,” which appeared on a wall in Upper Dean Street, Birmingham, in 1944.

The Hagley Obelisk and Persistent Graffiti

Since the 1970s, similar graffiti has sporadically appeared on the Hagley Obelisk near the site where the body was discovered. The remains were briefly exhibited in the “Black Museum” in London before they were lost to time. Despite the enduring mystery, numerous theories have been proposed, including the idea that the victim was a young woman named Bella, though none have been conclusively proven.

Continuing Investigations and Theories

Over the decades, the case has been reviewed but remains open. West Mercia Police’s review of the case closed in 2014, but the question of who put Bella in the wych elm continues to puzzle investigators and the public. The theories range from purely local origins to broader historical contexts, but as of now, the truth may remain hidden.

Modern Artifacts and Memorials

Modern graffiti on the Wychbury Obelisk, as shown in a photograph taken in 2006, continues to commemorate the mystery. These visual reminders serve as perpetual markers, ensuring the enigmatic tale of Bella in the Wych Elm lives on. The case is a testament to the enduring mysteries that can emerge from historical investigations and archaeological findings.