My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark 508 - Live at Paramount Theatre (Oakland Night 2)
Nov 27, 2025
In a lively performance at the Paramount Theatre, Georgia dives into the mysterious disappearance of heiress Edith Irene Wolfskill, revealing her privileged yet troubled life. The case unravels into a tale of family feuds, public search efforts, and an autopsy riddled with unresolved questions. Meanwhile, Karen shares the wild saga of James Hogue, a master of reinvention and deceit, including his audacious impersonation of a high school athlete and later, a doctor. Both stories blend intrigue and dark humor, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats.
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Body Location Suggests Postmortem Movement
- Investigators found Edith badly decomposed a mile and a half from her home in a creek bed that had been searched many times, implying her body was likely relocated.
- The odd overalls and a faded handwritten note complicated conclusions and fueled theories of kidnapping or concealment.
Medical Findings Muddy Theories
- Medical examiners found a blood clot in Edith's brain and no clear signs of trauma or poison, making natural causes plausible but leaving questions about behavior changes.
- The coroner later returned a verdict of death by unknown causes, reflecting forensic limits of the era.
Posing As A High School Star
- At Palo Alto High, Hogue posed as a 17-year-old named Jay Huntsman, dominated high school races, and inspired local media attention before a reporter exposed him.
- The community felt betrayed but admitted they liked him, illustrating emotional fallout from personal cons.
