http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._Gordon_Whitehead
Jocelyn Gordon Whitehead (died 1954) is the man who sucker-punched magician Harry Houdini in the stomach on October 22, 1926.
Contrary to popular belief, appendicitis and not the punch was the likely cause of Houdini's death -- although the pain inflicted by the blows may have masked the pain of the appendicitis, preventing the performer from seeking treatment until nine days later.
At the time of this incident, Whitehead had been a McGill University student in Montreal. Despite the fact that there were witnesses to the event, Whitehead was never arrested. He himself had to submit an affidavit to the New York Life Insurance Company, who needed proof of the incident in order for Houdini's widow, Bess Houdini, to collect money under the double indemnity clause.
Author Don Bell rewrites Houdini history by discovering that the magician was attacked (or at least "tested") three separate times during that fateful week in Montreal. A native of Montreal, Bell finds independent eyewitnesses to each of these other, non-lethal "punches" who readily corroborate the facts. It's a stunning discovery, however there is no clear evidence to support that allegation. Bell's hypothesis is that Whitehead may have been acting as an agent for spiritualists. Considering Houdini's vehement anti-spiritualist crusade and stand, this is not a far-fetched theory.
Whitehead remained obscure, until writer Don Bell began his own investigation into Houdini's death. His findings were published in the 2004 book "The Man Who Killed Houdini" (Véhicule Press, Montreal), in which the only known photograph of Whitehead exists. Through interviews with people who knew Whitehead, Bell established that Whitehead lived a life of failure and pathos, despite having attended the prestigious McGill University. Whitehead died of malnutrition in 1954. He is buried in the Mount Royal Cemetery in Montreal.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jocelyn_Gordon_Whitehead"
I was poisoned some time shortly after this. Probably in May 2005, around the time I became homeless. I also heard some suspicious comments from his wife on the news.
JOURNAL ARCHIVE: 01/20/07 1:35 PM
http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=carjack19m&date=20050319&query=whitehead
Local News: Saturday, March 19, 2005
"Random homicide" in morning commute
By Sara Jean Green
Seattle Times staff reporter
Ronald Whitehead backed out of his Des Moines garage early yesterday and was heading to Bellevue, where he worked with Boeing's computer systems.
Less than three miles from his home, he was found shot to death, his body pushed from his car and left in the middle of an intersection by an apparent carjacker in what police are characterizing as a random crime.
