Helle Crafts
Encyclopedia
Helle Crafts was a flight attendant
famous for her brutal murder at the hands of her husband, Richard Crafts, an airline pilot and special constable
. Her murder is sometimes called the "Woodchipper
Murder" because of the method in which Richard Crafts disposed of her body. Her death brought about the first murder conviction in the state of Connecticut
in which a body was never found.
. This was the last time anyone but her husband saw her.
During the next few weeks, friends of Helle tried to contact her but were told different stories by her husband. Some of them were told by Richard that Helle had gone to visit her mother in Denmark
. Others were told that she had left and he did not know where she was. Richard also stated that she was in the Canary Islands with a friend. Friends grew suspicious and concerned about Helle's safety because they already knew about Richard's aggression and fiery temper. Helle once said "if something happens to me, don't think it was an accident."
also came forward and told police of a dark, grapefruit-sized stain she'd seen on the carpet of the bedroom, but that patch of carpet had apparently been removed. A blood smear was also uncovered on the side of the Crafts' bed. Police found among Richard's credit card
records evidence that he had made several purchases before and after his wife's disappearance, including a new freezer that was not found in the home, new bed sheets, a comforter
, and USD$900 for the rental of a woodchipper
. Later, a private investigator
who had been hired by Helle Crafts found in papers provided to him by Helle a receipt for a chainsaw
. The chainsaw was later found in Lake Zoar and forensics
experts would determine that it was covered in hair and blood that matched those of Helle.
A snowplow
driver eventually came forward and said he'd seen the husband using a woodchipper on a bridge over Lake Zoar
in Newtown, CT, during a severe snow-storm. This was late on the night of November 19, the night Helle Crafts was last seen. With this new information, police focused their search around that area for many days, and even scanned the icy cold lake for clues. They found many pieces of metal, less than 3 ounces (85 g) of human remains
, including a tooth with unique dental work, a toe-nail covered in pink nail polish, bone chips, 2,660 bleached, blonde human hairs, fingernails and O type
blood, the same type as Helle Crafts'. Analysis led the police to conclude the remains had gone through a woodchipper. The forensic investigation was led by leading forensic scientist Dr. Henry Lee.
Police theorized that in their bedroom, Crafts first struck Helle unconscious with something blunt, which would explain the blood stains found, then carried her body to the freezer where he left it for some time. Police further postulated that Crafts had taken Helle's body out of the freezer on the night he was seen at the river by the witness, chopped it into several large portions with the chainsaw, and then put them through the woodchipper. The police believed the dismembered pieces of Helle Crafts' body were then scattered into the river and the area around it. After a long trial where forensic evidence was key, Crafts was found guilty on November 21, 1989, just over three years and a day since Helle was last seen alive. In January 1990, Richard Crafts was sentenced to serve 50 years in state prison.
Flight attendant
Flight attendants or cabin crew are members of an aircrew employed by airlines primarily to ensure the safety and comfort of passengers aboard commercial flights, on select business jet aircraft, and on some military aircraft.-History:The role of a flight attendant derives from that of similar...
famous for her brutal murder at the hands of her husband, Richard Crafts, an airline pilot and special constable
Special constable
A Special Constable is a law enforcement officer who is not a regular member of a police force. Some like the Royal Canadian Mounted Police carry the same law enforcement powers as regular members, but are employed in specific roles, such as explosive disposal technicians, court security, campus...
. Her murder is sometimes called the "Woodchipper
Woodchipper
A tree chipper or wood chipper is a machine used for reducing wood into smaller parts, such as wood chips or sawdust. They are often portable, being mounted on wheels on frames suitable for towing behind a truck or van. Power is generally provided by an internal combustion engine from to...
Murder" because of the method in which Richard Crafts disposed of her body. Her death brought about the first murder conviction in the state of Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
in which a body was never found.
Disappearance
Helle Crafts had known about her husband Richard's affairs with other women and had begun divorce proceedings against him. On the night of Wednesday, November 19, 1986, a friend of Helle's dropped her off at home in Newtown, ConnecticutNewtown, Connecticut
Newtown is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 27,560 at the 2010 census. Newtown was founded in 1705 and incorporated in 1711.-Government:...
. This was the last time anyone but her husband saw her.
During the next few weeks, friends of Helle tried to contact her but were told different stories by her husband. Some of them were told by Richard that Helle had gone to visit her mother in Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
. Others were told that she had left and he did not know where she was. Richard also stated that she was in the Canary Islands with a friend. Friends grew suspicious and concerned about Helle's safety because they already knew about Richard's aggression and fiery temper. Helle once said "if something happens to me, don't think it was an accident."
The case
By December 25, police had obtained a warrant to search the Crafts' premises. They uncovered few clues: several pieces of carpet from Richard and Helle's bedroom were removed from the floor. The family's nannyNanny
A nanny, childminder or child care provider, is an individual who provides care for one or more children in a family as a service...
also came forward and told police of a dark, grapefruit-sized stain she'd seen on the carpet of the bedroom, but that patch of carpet had apparently been removed. A blood smear was also uncovered on the side of the Crafts' bed. Police found among Richard's credit card
Credit card
A credit card is a small plastic card issued to users as a system of payment. It allows its holder to buy goods and services based on the holder's promise to pay for these goods and services...
records evidence that he had made several purchases before and after his wife's disappearance, including a new freezer that was not found in the home, new bed sheets, a comforter
Comforter
A comforter is a type of blanket. Comforters are intended to keep the user warm, especially during sleep, although they can also be used as mattress pads. Comforters are generally large and rectangular in shape, filled with natural or synthetic insulative material and encased in a shell/covering....
, and USD$900 for the rental of a woodchipper
Woodchipper
A tree chipper or wood chipper is a machine used for reducing wood into smaller parts, such as wood chips or sawdust. They are often portable, being mounted on wheels on frames suitable for towing behind a truck or van. Power is generally provided by an internal combustion engine from to...
. Later, a private investigator
Private investigator
A private investigator , private detective or inquiry agent, is a person who can be hired by individuals or groups to undertake investigatory law services. Private detectives/investigators often work for attorneys in civil cases. Many work for insurance companies to investigate suspicious claims...
who had been hired by Helle Crafts found in papers provided to him by Helle a receipt for a chainsaw
Chainsaw
A chainsaw is a portable mechanical saw, powered by electricity, compressed air, hydraulic power, or most commonly a two-stroke engine...
. The chainsaw was later found in Lake Zoar and forensics
Forensics
Forensic science is the application of a broad spectrum of sciences to answer questions of interest to a legal system. This may be in relation to a crime or a civil action...
experts would determine that it was covered in hair and blood that matched those of Helle.
A snowplow
Snowplow
A snowplow is a device intended for mounting on a vehicle, used for removing snow and ice from outdoor surfaces, typically those serving transportation purposes...
driver eventually came forward and said he'd seen the husband using a woodchipper on a bridge over Lake Zoar
Lake Zoar
Lake Zoar is a reservoir on the Housatonic River in the U.S. state of Connecticut. It is formed by Stevenson Dam. The towns of Monroe, Newtown, Oxford, and Southbury border Lake Zoar.-Lake Zoar Authority:...
in Newtown, CT, during a severe snow-storm. This was late on the night of November 19, the night Helle Crafts was last seen. With this new information, police focused their search around that area for many days, and even scanned the icy cold lake for clues. They found many pieces of metal, less than 3 ounces (85 g) of human remains
Remains
Remains may refer to:* "Remains" , a 2009 song by Maurissa Tancharoen and Jed Whedon* Remains , a 2007 compilation album by punk band Alkaline Trio...
, including a tooth with unique dental work, a toe-nail covered in pink nail polish, bone chips, 2,660 bleached, blonde human hairs, fingernails and O type
ABO blood group system
The ABO blood group system is the most important blood type system in human blood transfusion. The associated anti-A antibodies and anti-B antibodies are usually IgM antibodies, which are usually produced in the first years of life by sensitization to environmental substances such as food,...
blood, the same type as Helle Crafts'. Analysis led the police to conclude the remains had gone through a woodchipper. The forensic investigation was led by leading forensic scientist Dr. Henry Lee.
Police theorized that in their bedroom, Crafts first struck Helle unconscious with something blunt, which would explain the blood stains found, then carried her body to the freezer where he left it for some time. Police further postulated that Crafts had taken Helle's body out of the freezer on the night he was seen at the river by the witness, chopped it into several large portions with the chainsaw, and then put them through the woodchipper. The police believed the dismembered pieces of Helle Crafts' body were then scattered into the river and the area around it. After a long trial where forensic evidence was key, Crafts was found guilty on November 21, 1989, just over three years and a day since Helle was last seen alive. In January 1990, Richard Crafts was sentenced to serve 50 years in state prison.
In popular culture
- In the 1989 film Woodchipper MassacreWoodchipper MassacreWoodchipper Massacre is a 1988 American horror comedy directed by Jon McBride, who also directed Cannibal Campout. The film was also written by McBride.-Plot:...
, which was released before Fargo, the children accidentally kill their aunt, freeze her corpse, dismember it, and then put it in a woodchipper. - The case also inspired filmmakers Joel and Ethan CoenCoen BrothersJoel David Coen and Ethan Jesse Coen known together professionally as the Coen brothers, are American filmmakers...
to write their 19961996 in filmMajor releases this year included Scream, Independence Day, Fargo, Trainspotting, The English Patient, Twister, Mars Attacks!, Jerry Maguire and a version of Evita starring Madonna.-Events:...
film FargoFargo (film)Fargo is a 1996 American dark comedy-crime film produced, directed and written by brothers Joel and Ethan Coen. It stars Frances McDormand as a pregnant police chief who investigates a series of homicides, William H...
. - The pilot episode of Forensic FilesForensic FilesForensic Files is an American documentary-style series which reveals how forensic science is used to solve violent crimes, mysterious accidents, and even outbreaks of illness. The show is broadcast on truTV, narrated by Peter Thomas, and produced by Medstar Television, in association with truTV...
(1996) documents the investigation. - In 1998, the case was featured on History TelevisionHistory TelevisionHistory Television is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel that presents programming about history and some non-historical programming of military, science and technology interest. It is owned by Shaw Media. Its French language counterpart is Historia.The channel operates two...
's series, Crime Stories.
External links
- The Woodchipper Murder on CourtTV
- The Woodchipper Murder on TruTV – Mark Gado
- "The Woodchipper Murder" by Arthur Herzog