In the early 1930s, a tragic and sensational crime unfolded in Phoenix, Arizona, involving three women whose lives intersected in a tale of love, jealousy, and murder. Agnes Anne LeRoi and Hedvig Sammy Samuelson were two young women who became victims of a gruesome crime that would captivate the nation. Their story is inextricably linked to Winnie Ruth Judd, a medical secretary who was convicted of their murders. Understanding the backgrounds and lives of LeRoi and Samuelson provides insight into the events that led to the infamous Trunk Murders.
Agnes Anne LeRoi
Agnes Anne LeRoi, often referred to as Anne, was a 27-year-old X-ray technician originally from Oregon. She had relocated to Phoenix in early 1931, seeking employment and a fresh start. LeRoi was described as a striking brunette with a poised demeanor. She found work at a local clinic, where she met Hedvig Samuelson, a schoolteacher from North Dakota who had moved to Arizona for health reasons.
LeRoi and Samuelson quickly became close friends and roommates, sharing a bungalow near the clinic. Their bond grew stronger over time, and they were known to spend their leisure hours together, enjoying each other’s company. In August 1931, Samuelson wrote to her parents in North Dakota, expressing her happiness about living with LeRoi and the comfort it brought her during her treatment for tuberculosis.
Hedvig Sammy Samuelson
Hedvig Samuelson, known as Sammy, was a 24-year-old schoolteacher from North Dakota. She had contracted tuberculosis and, like many others at the time, moved to Arizona in search of a drier climate that was believed to aid in the treatment of the disease. Sammy was described as a warm and friendly individual who quickly adapted to her new life in Phoenix.
Upon arriving in Phoenix, Sammy reunited with her close friend, Agnes Anne LeRoi. The two women became inseparable, sharing a home and supporting each other through their respective challenges. Their relationship was one of mutual care and companionship, which provided them both with a sense of stability and comfort in an unfamiliar city.
Meeting Winnie Ruth Judd
In Phoenix, both LeRoi and Samuelson crossed paths with Winnie Ruth Judd, a 26-year-old medical secretary. Judd was married to Dr. William C. Judd, but their relationship was strained due to his morphine addiction and their frequent relocations. During this period, Judd met Jack Halloran, a prominent Phoenix businessman, and became romantically involved with him.
Judd’s relationship with Halloran introduced her to LeRoi and Samuelson, as all three women were acquainted with him. Over time, Judd became friends with LeRoi and Samuelson, and in 1931, she moved into their bungalow. However, tensions soon arose among the women, particularly concerning their shared connection with Halloran. These tensions would eventually culminate in a tragic and violent event.
The Events of October 1931
On the night of October 16, 1931, an argument broke out among the three women. The details of the dispute remain unclear, but it escalated to violence. According to Judd’s later account, she went to the bungalow to confront Samuelson about derogatory remarks she had made about LeRoi. The confrontation turned physical, and in the ensuing struggle, Judd claimed that Samuelson shot her in the left hand. Judd then allegedly grabbed a gun and shot Samuelson in self-defense. She further stated that LeRoi attacked her with an ironing board, prompting her to shoot LeRoi as well.
However, the coroner’s report contradicted Judd’s account, indicating that both LeRoi and Samuelson had been shot in their sleep, with LeRoi being shot in the temple and Samuelson in the chest. This discrepancy raised questions about the veracity of Judd’s statements and suggested a premeditated act rather than a spur-of-the-moment altercation.
Aftermath and Discovery
Following the murders, Judd dismembered Samuelson’s body to fit it into a smaller trunk and hat box. She then transported the bodies to Los Angeles, where they were discovered at a train station. The trunks, leaking blood and emitting a foul odor, attracted the attention of station personnel, leading to the grisly discovery. The bodies were identified as those of Agnes Anne LeRoi and Hedvig Samuelson, and the case quickly gained national attention.
Judd was arrested and charged with the murders. During her trial, she was found guilty and sentenced to death. However, her sentence was later commuted after it was determined that she was mentally incompetent. She was committed to the Arizona State Asylum for the Insane, where she escaped multiple times before eventually being paroled in 1971.
Legacy and Reflection
The tragic deaths of Agnes Anne LeRoi and Hedvig Samuelson serve as a somber reminder of the complexities of human relationships and the potential for conflict. Their story, intertwined with that of Winnie Ruth Judd, continues to intrigue and horrify, highlighting the darker aspects of human nature and the consequences of unresolved tensions.
While the details of their lives and deaths are often overshadowed by the notoriety of the case, it is important to remember Agnes Anne LeRoi and Hedvig Samuelson as individuals who sought companionship and solace in a challenging time. Their untimely deaths remind us of the fragility of life and the importance of understanding and compassion in our relationships with others.