Rheta Gretchen Gardner Wynekoop, a 23-year-old woman of Caucasian ethnicity, was tragically murdered on November 21, 1933, in Chicago, Illinois. She was the daughter-in-law of Dr. Alice Wynekoop, a well-known and respected physician in Chicago. Rheta had married Earle Wynekoop, the son of Dr. Alice Wynekoop, and moved from her family home in Indianapolis to Chicago.
On the day of her death, Rheta was found dead on an examination table in Dr. Wynekoop's surgery.
She had been shot in the back of the head with a .32-caliber revolver, which was found beside her body. The circumstances surrounding her death quickly drew attention, and the police were called to investigate.
Dr. Alice Wynekoop initially suggested that Rheta might have been killed by a robber, but she later admitted that the gun used in the murder was hers. This admission, along with the discovery of two insurance policies taken out on Rheta's life by Dr. Wynekoop just weeks before the murder, led to suspicion falling on Dr. Wynekoop herself.
The investigation revealed that Dr. Wynekoop had a strained relationship with Rheta and stood to gain financially from her death. Additionally, there were reports of Earle Wynekoop's philandering, which added to the complexity of the case. Dr. Wynekoop was arrested on November 23, 1933, and charged with the murder of her daughter-in-law.
The case went to trial in January 1934, but a mistrial was declared due to Dr. Wynekoop's fragile health. A retrial was held in February and March 1934, and Dr. Wynekoop was found guilty of murder. She was sentenced to 25 years in prison at the Oakdale Women's Reformatory in Dwight, Illinois. Dr. Wynekoop served 13 years and nine months before being released for good behavior.
The murder of Rheta Gardner Wynekoop remains a notable case in the annals of American true crime, often described as a "mystery murder rivaling those of detective story thrillers." The case captivated the nation and highlighted the complexities of family dynamics, financial motives, and the pursuit of justice.
