SOLVED MA - Jane Britton, 22, Harvard student, Cambridge, 7 Jan 1969

[Ausgirl]

I was Jane Britton's roommate the last two years of High School. I'm interested in learning if there have been any reports of further progress since the last of the above posts. She wrote me in July, prior to her murder, from the dig in Iran, and some of the things she said cause me to question some of the circumstances surrounding the discovery of her body - nothing earth-shaking, just seems strange.

Has anyone in this forum any contacts among newspaper or television reporters in the Cambridge area that might be interested in pressing the Cambridge police for more information?

basswood, welcome to the forum! Your presence here is most appreciated.

As far as I know, there's been no significant strides made in the investigation, sorry to say. I actually believe it's badly stalled. But that's going on my limited view of what I can find in the media and on the net. It's just been so very long.. that I think if any news was to be had, it'd be out there by now. What we're doing here is gathering information (sometimes it's not easy to find..), digging through any and all possible snippets of useful stuff and just theorising and such. In cold cases, I do find this useful, as often discussion on forums will help people involved in the case, or like yourself, people who knew the victim, to find a place to talk about things. In rare cases, it can actually lead to things we can take to the police. In my experience, this kind of discussion has been of immense help in several very old cases.

I would be very grateful if you'd share your thoughts on the parts of the letter that made you question... It doesn't matter of it's just something small that has bothered you.. sometimes it only takes the smallest detail to finally unravel a case.. or at least point in the right direction.

I know one of our people here contacted a paper regarding some blacked-out pictures, but as far as I know, that was it. Good idea, to have the media stir things up.

Any takers, for that challenge? I would be happy to try, once the holidays are past.

Also, basswood, please feel free to share anything you like regarding Jane. While the people here do care deeply what happened to her, none of us knew Jane personally. It's wonderful when we get to hear from the people who did know the victims we talk about.

Thanks for joining and commenting!

 

[Ausgirl]

Thank you for clarifying all of that. I'd previously read that the security in the buildings was bad and that Harvard ended up adding locks to the buildings later but I didn't know Jane attended meeting related to housing issues.

Why did you dismiss that possibility, if it's alright to ask?


I wonder if, even if the housing issues weren't the motive, if someone involved with the SUs met Jane at a meeting and decided to harm her for personal reasons. Maybe someone even resented her father's status.

Oh, I haven't dismissed it.. there's just so much research to do on that front, and I've had an awful year with my health and whatnot, meaning hours of sitting prone doing research is really not comfy for me. But things are improving, so I hope to have some solid-ish info to offer on that theory sooner or later. So far, I know Jane did attend meetings, with a woman who was linked with some of the SU activity and seemed a bit flaky in general.

Do you know if it would be known that Jane kept the door unlocked because of the shared fridge? Was it something people could easily have guessed or known (say, a common situation in other buildings etc.)? Or was it information that only her close friends would know about if she brought it up in conversation?

I also wonder why her father didn't tell her about the security issues or find another accommodation for her, like independent housing. I assume he'd have heard about all the security problems. I'm not blaming him, though, and there's a number of (reasonable) explanations.

:twocents:

I dunno about the fridge. I feel safe in saying people who knew Jane would know about it. Maybe people in her apartment block, who'd see the Mitchells coming and going.. Maybe people at those meetings, with whom she might've shared concerns about the state of the security..

As for Jane's dad.. I might be very wrong here? But I get the feeling Jane was a fiercely independent sort of girl. IIRC, there was a mention somewhere that her dad wasn't too happy about her living alone on campus... but I'd be pressed to dig up a quote on that right away, sorry. I'm sure I read it, though.

 

[basswood]

Hello, welcome to WS! :seeya:

...If there's anything you'd like to add to this thread and the many questions here feel free to contribute, or let us know if there's anything or anyone you think we should look into (within the rules of the site about naming names).

We graduated from high school in 1963. I'll be happy to flesh out her personality in response to questions; I know many of you feel that you wish you had known her. Just be aware that she had a life after the one I knew, and my memories of her - aside from being 50 years old - are of a 17 year old girl.

As to the small thing that bothered me about the circumstances surrounding the finding of her body, I wouldn't be able to post it here (even without naming names) without its being perfectly clear to whom I would be referring. That wouldn't seem fair to me, if there is a good explanation for what happened. I would be willing to share my thoughts on it privately, though. My email address should be available in my profile.

I have a number of newspaper articles from the time, and one of them mentions that investigators were fairly sure that the killer smoked a cigarette after the murder. There was, of course, no DNA testing available then; I wonder if anyone has ever checked the cigarette butt (assuming it's still around) for DNA.

 

[Ausgirl]

Any memories you care to share would be lovely. My impressions of Jane are that she was quite independent, someone who'd speak up and speak her mind if she felt she needed to, and also very kind. I might be wrong, but that's what I've gleaned so far..

The cigarette, there's a thought that quietly horrifies me.. Somebody committing this horrible attack and then feeling it's fine to smoke a cigarette..


I just want that person caught. I really do. :\

 

[basswood]

I have done a little searching for Jim Humphries, and believe I have found several references to him, the latest being in 1975. Apparently, he married a woman named Judith (perhaps in 1972 or 1973), who is still living in Canada. I Googled her, and the woman I think was/is his wife indicates in her LinkedIn profile that she got a PhD in Archaeology in 1976. She is now a landscape designer. They co-directed several surveys in 1974-75.

I never found any reference to Jim that refer to him as J.H. Humphries, PhD, so perhaps he never achieved his doctorate.

Not sure if any of this bears any relevance to Jane. It does seem likely that he is no longer alive.

 

[Veidt]

Oh, I haven't dismissed it.. there's just so much research to do on that front, and I've had an awful year with my health and whatnot, meaning hours of sitting prone doing research is really not comfy for me.

Snipped (for space). If you need any help sleuthing anything, if it's anything someone overseas can help with (like going through records available online), feel free let me know. I'd be glad to help.

I dunno about the fridge. I feel safe in saying people who knew Jane would know about it. Maybe people in her apartment block, who'd see the Mitchells coming and going.. Maybe people at those meetings, with whom she might've shared concerns about the state of the security..

As for Jane's dad.. I might be very wrong here? But I get the feeling Jane was a fiercely independent sort of girl. IIRC, there was a mention somewhere that her dad wasn't too happy about her living alone on campus... but I'd be pressed to dig up a quote on that right away, sorry. I'm sure I read it, though.

Thank you. I believe I'd read about her dad not wanting her to live on campus too (though that me just that I remember something you've said in a previous post). I was wondering why she was living in a place with very little security against the wishes of her father who would probably have connections to get her something better or money to get her a room or flat off-campus. You're right though, I get the same impression that Jane was quite independent so I can see it being the case that she simply wanted to do things on her own.

 

[Veidt]

Sorry about the double post everyone, I'm trying to keep my posts short and less confusing.

We graduated from high school in 1963. I'll be happy to flesh out her personality in response to questions; I know many of you feel that you wish you had known her. Just be aware that she had a life after the one I knew, and my memories of her - aside from being 50 years old - are of a 17 year old girl.

As to the small thing that bothered me about the circumstances surrounding the finding of her body, I wouldn't be able to post it here (even without naming names) without its being perfectly clear to whom I would be referring. That wouldn't seem fair to me, if there is a good explanation for what happened. I would be willing to share my thoughts on it privately, though. My email address should be available in my profile.

I have a number of newspaper articles from the time, and one of them mentions that investigators were fairly sure that the killer smoked a cigarette after the murder. There was, of course, no DNA testing available then; I wonder if anyone has ever checked the cigarette butt (assuming it's still around) for DNA.

Basswood, thank you for talking to us. I'd definitely love to hear more about Jane and your memories of her (unrelated to the case). Even if they're about 17-year-old Jane, it sounds like she was indeed a lovely person and I think it's nice to be able to know more about the person we read about from the perspective of someone who knew her, not a newspaper.

I completely understand why you wouldn't want to share that info publicly, that sounds very wise. I'm rather new to this case so I don't feel like I have the right to e-mail you, but it sounds like that might be interesting to some of the people who have been keeping up with and researching this case for a while now.

Is there any chance you could share those articles, if it's not asking for too much? I don't know what the rules are about posting scans of newspaper articles but I think it's ok. I believe that typing up snippets (not whole articles, that would be tough on you!) that you find interesting is also ok, I've seen that done in other threads.

Regarding the cigarette butt, that's very interesting info and I think it might be possible to get DNA from it. I'm not a forensics expert however. It sounds like it could be very helpful to LE to try that IMO. I assume they would have kept the cigarette as evidence along with any other relevant items and pictures of the crime scene.

The cigarette, there's a thought that quietly horrifies me.. Somebody committing this horrible attack and then feeling it's fine to smoke a cigarette..

On this note, to me the cigarette gives us some insight into the perp's personality. This is only my opinion and I'm not a professional.

Someone who smoked after killing someone could be someone who was nervous. Maybe even someone who wasn't experienced with killing, or hadn't expected to kill anyone. While thinking about what to do and trying to calm down, the perp smoked.

Of course it might just be someone who got a high of sorts from killing, or someone who was just emotionless.

And, I think it's worth considering that maybe the cigarette wasn't smoked after the murder, but before. Would Jane have allowed smoking in the house? Smoking regulations were more relaxed in the 60s and people weren't as aware of the health risks, so it seems possible. Not to mention a lot of people still just smoke indoors and don't mind it, even now that we have more info about hazards. It doesn't sound impossible that the cigarette could have been smoked inside the flat before the murder.

In that case I think it would indicate someone who knew Jane. It was a late hour so I don't think that a random stranger would have been invited in for a chat. Someone Jane knew, even in passing, could seem harmless and trustworthy and also have a reason to talk to her. Then as they talked, the perp smoked a cigarette.

:twocents:

 

[basswood]

When we were roommates, Jane smoked, so it's quite possible she was still a smoker at the time of her death. We were students at Dana Hall, in Wellesley, MA, and were not allowed to smoke on campus. However, her family lived in Needham - about 5 miles away - and we would go to her house on weekends. We smoked on weekends, and then had to quit during the week.

I think it's possible that there may have been blood under the cigarette butt in the ashtray, which would indicate, of course, that the cigarette was smoked after the murder. Just speculation on my part.

I'm not sure how to post photos or scans to this forum, if it's even possible. I haven't yet scanned the newspaper articles I have, but if anyone is interested, please do feel free to email me at the address in my profile. Many (most?) of the articles are ones that have already been referenced on this forum.

I am finding this quite touching - that so many people seem to care so much about someone they never met. In a way, it keeps Jane alive.

B

 

[Ausgirl]

basswood, thank you for this, and the other info too - I'll reply properly tomorrow (silly season being what it is, I've hardly been at the computer).

 

[Pink Panther]

I have done a little searching for Jim Humphries, and believe I have found several references to him, the latest being in 1975. Apparently, he married a woman named Judith (perhaps in 1972 or 1973), who is still living in Canada. I Googled her, and the woman I think was/is his wife indicates in her LinkedIn profile that she got a PhD in Archaeology in 1976. She is now a landscape designer. They co-directed several surveys in 1974-75.

I never found any reference to Jim that refer to him as J.H. Humphries, PhD, so perhaps he never achieved his doctorate.

Not sure if any of this bears any relevance to Jane. It does seem likely that he is no longer alive.

I have found information similar to yours but I also found a document that shows Jim H present at a meeting to discuss an issue regarding his family property in 1999. Nothing after that date.

 

[rosesfromangels]

Initial and random thoughts.
He knew her well and was obsessed.
This was a ritual killing; a sacrifice.
Were there ever dead animals found suspiciously that appeared to have been mutilated or sacrificed?
She came across some "sacred knowledge" and had to be sacrificed to counter the defilement.
She knew something.
She died for it.

 

[Veidt]

When we were roommates, Jane smoked, so it's quite possible she was still a smoker at the time of her death. We were students at Dana Hall, in Wellesley, MA, and were not allowed to smoke on campus. However, her family lived in Needham - about 5 miles away - and we would go to her house on weekends. We smoked on weekends, and then had to quit during the week.

I think it's possible that there may have been blood under the cigarette butt in the ashtray, which would indicate, of course, that the cigarette was smoked after the murder. Just speculation on my part.

I'm not sure how to post photos or scans to this forum, if it's even possible. I haven't yet scanned the newspaper articles I have, but if anyone is interested, please do feel free to email me at the address in my profile. Many (most?) of the articles are ones that have already been referenced on this forum.

I am finding this quite touching - that so many people seem to care so much about someone they never met. In a way, it keeps Jane alive.

B

Thank you so much for sharing this information with us.

I wonder if the cigarette they found may have been hers and was important due to the blood evidence. In a way I hope it's not hers because if it's the perps then maybe it might provide LE with a clue using our current DNA technology.

I also wonder if the blood could have spattered onto the cigarette when the murder took place and if they found any other cigarettes at the scene.

If the killer smoked after the murder and there was blood on the cigarette, it makes me think that the killer may have been somewhat nervous or not very experienced and that his apparent calm (smoking a cigarette, setting up the crime scene the way it was found with the markings and such) didn't go very deep. IMO someone who was indeed calm and collected would likely attempt to remove anything that could be linked with them from the scene, not leave a cigarette behind. I know DNA technology wasn't the way it is now - but IMO there could have been a chance that someone knew the brand he smoked and put two and two together, smoke could alert others to his presence in the building, etc.

That's just speculation on my part, of course.

The cigarette is now making me wonder about gloves, my train of thought went from wondering about fingerprints on it to how clunky it is to smoke while wearing most kinds of gloves. I wonder if any fibers could have been found at the scene. That's just a tangential though.

As an aside, if you'd like to post scans, it's very simple. I can post instructions if you'd like. I'm definitely going to e-mail you the next time I log into my e-mail account.

And I'm glad you find comfort in knowing that people care about Jane.

Initial and random thoughts.
He knew her well and was obsessed.
This was a ritual killing; a sacrifice.
Were there ever dead animals found suspiciously that appeared to have been mutilated or sacrificed?
She came across some "sacred knowledge" and had to be sacrificed to counter the defilement.
She knew something.
She died for it.

I'm not sure I agree. I'd be interested in knowing if the notion of countering the defilement was present in the cultures the markings were identified as belonging to. Either way I don't think she stumbled upon "sacred knowledge", IMO the person who did it sounds like a scholarly type who would know what scholars in that field already knew, not obscure secrets of some kind. Some professors were, after all, able to identify the markings. It is of course possible that the killer was somewhat delusional.

 

[fred&edna]

When we were roommates, Jane smoked, so it's quite possible she was still a smoker at the time of her death. We were students at Dana Hall, in Wellesley, MA, and were not allowed to smoke on campus. However, her family lived in Needham - about 5 miles away - and we would go to her house on weekends. We smoked on weekends, and then had to quit during the week.

I think it's possible that there may have been blood under the cigarette butt in the ashtray, which would indicate, of course, that the cigarette was smoked after the murder. Just speculation on my part.

I'm not sure how to post photos or scans to this forum, if it's even possible. I haven't yet scanned the newspaper articles I have, but if anyone is interested, please do feel free to email me at the address in my profile. Many (most?) of the articles are ones that have already been referenced on this forum.

I am finding this quite touching - that so many people seem to care so much about someone they never met. In a way, it keeps Jane alive.

B

To have a victims' friend &/or family member participate here is wonderful. I've been wondering if you discussed Jane's murder with any of her family members... maybe her parents before they passed... or maybe her brother? We (websleuth-ers) do our best at reading, researching, guessing and contemplating but those who actually knew the victim, well... YOU make a world of difference. I'm so glad you're here!

 

[Pink Panther]

It's time for the police to release the ban and share some information. Too many years have passed and time is running out for this case to be solved…

moo

 

[fred&edna]

Bah, I am brainless with 'flu this week, forgot about that completely! :B

fwiw, I can find nothing more on the stone.. but then, I'm having trouble finding the end of my own nose atm.

I'm sorry you had the flu but you weren't brainless at all! I think this may be where you read about the stone being recovered:

http://www.thecrimson.com/article/1969/1/10/cambridge-police-declare-black-out-on-britton/?print=1

"Caught as he was leaving his office for the day, Reagan said that police have now found the sharp-edged stone which had been missing from Miss Britton's apartment. He refused to say where the stone was found.

The stone, a gift to Miss Britton from Mr. & Mrs. Donald D. Mitchell, two friends, was an archaeological souvenir. Police say Miss Britton was killed by five blows to the head from a sharp object and left lying face-down on a mattress in her apartment."


So, police found the presumed-missing stone (thought to be the murder weapon) and then promptly declared a "black-out". JMO but it feels as if "someone" was being protected by LE.


Also of note, Chief Reagan retired in 1974 and died in 2001:

http://www.thecrimson.com/article/1969/1/10/cambridge-police-declare-black-out-on-britton/?print=1

I wonder if LE retained files on this case.

 

[Robin Hood]

Just two things from me.

1) What purpose did it serve for the possible murderer to leave the 'end table' in the trash, yet leave a cigarette butt behind ?

2) Those of you who have read from the start of the thread know where my theories lie so I'm going to suggest LE wont re-open or test anything because of the implications of doing so. However, I pray somebody will prove me wrong.

Thanks for joining in here Basswood.

 

[Veidt]

1) What purpose did it serve for the possible murderer to leave the 'end table' in the trash, yet leave a cigarette butt behind ?

I believe this could indeed be due to inexperience or nervousness on the part of the murderer. Someone who was nervous and not thinking clearly could have tried to cover their tracks (leaving the end table in the trash, disposing of the missing rock or even stealing it) but not remember the cigarette detail.

IMO it's also possible that the cigarette wasn't the murderer's... if there was something on the cigarette such as blood or traces of the mystery reddish yellow substance then LE may have taken it in as possible evidence but it could have been Jane's or even have been smoked by someone (not Jane and not the murderer) who was in the flat before.

DNA testing was not available the way it is today so determining the culprit based on traces of saliva on the cigarette would not, as far as I know, have been possible the way it would be now.

Maybe that also gave the murderer some security, maybe other items had more incriminating evidence on them.

The rock may have been taken as a "trophy" by the murderer.

I don't know what evidence could possibly be on the table or the rock but not on the cigarette. Fingerprints? Fingerprints would have been on the cigarette also unless the murderer was wearing gloves. In that case they would be nowhere.

I also don't understand LE's silence. The cynical part of me suspects of a cover-up, the hopeful part of me thinks that maybe they were trying to get more evidence to prosecute the suspect... something like they suspected of someone but didn't have enough incriminating evidence to arrest him.

:twocents:

 

[rosesfromangels]

What a case. A wealthy high profile institution qashing information on this young woman's brutal murder. It's time justice was served.

 

[STANDREID]

Are there any crime scene photographs available in the case? Has the nightgown been described? I'm interested if she was wearing one for comfort or the type she might wear for some intimate plan.

I did read that the upper part of her body was buried under a pile of clothes.

It was reported that she was facing her attacker while sitting on her bed which makes me think that the attack might have been a complete surprise from someone she was comfortable being in front of while in night clothes. To me, that would cause me to think that the attacker was either a woman, a family member or some man with whom she had some intimate history

 

[Ausgirl]

IIRC, she was wearing a "blue" nightgown, and that was pretty much all that was said about it.

REALLY good spot, on the timing of the stone's recovery and the blackout.. I wanna know where they found it!

Stan, I have always been in two minds about how familiar the killer was with Jane. The vast majority of murders are committed by non-strangers. The odds it was someone she knew increase with the nature of the staging. But then, there are a few klllers who -feel- they know the victim but do not... and commit very similar acts. But I am -very- sure the killer knew Jane pretty well, however well Jane knew the killer..

With a bit of info drifting in here over the past few weeks, I have a few extra names for my POI list --- thank you, everyone who has contacted me or posted here. With every snippet of info, we are closer to perhaps having enough to take to the media, and see if we can't get the police to lift that blackout for them...

I honestly would like to see this crime featured on one of those 'Unsolved" type TV shows. The better ones actually -do- their research and interview people....