Edna Papke, who died on November 27, 1936, in Newport Beach, CA, was tragically killed in a murder-suicide incident involving her estranged husband, Billy Papke. Billy Papke, a former world middleweight boxing champion, was deeply troubled by his failed attempts to reconcile with Edna. On Thanksgiving night, he visited her home on Balboa Island under the pretense of working things out. However, the visit turned violent when a neighbor, Mrs. Helen Cabanne, heard them quarrel, followed by the sound of five gunshots. Edna was found with two gunshot wounds, while Billy had fired three bullets into his own chest, ending both their lives. The police reported the incident as a murder-suicide, driven by Billy's despair over the failed reconciliation.
Billy Papke's life had been marked by his illustrious boxing career, but in his later years, he struggled with personal issues. He had been living with his sons, Clifford, William, and Robert, in Altadena since his divorce from Edna in August 1936. Despite his public persona as a host at a Los Angeles cafe, Billy was reportedly moody and troubled. On the day of the incident, he had spent time at the cafe before heading to Edna's home. Friends and acquaintances of Edna mentioned that Billy had visited her several times recently, often angrily threatening her when she refused to reconcile. Despite these threats, Edna believed that Billy would never harm her.
The tragic event left their three sons in shock and disbelief. William Papke, Jr., who worked as a night clerk in the La Verne police department, expressed his inability to understand why his father committed such an act, especially since they had shared a pleasant conversation earlier that day. The incident brought an end to the tumultuous relationship between Billy and Edna, highlighting the devastating impact of unresolved personal conflicts and mental health issues. The case was closed as a murder-suicide, with no further arrests or litigations related to their deaths.
