Twin Peaks’ Murder Was Actually Inspired by a Shocking Real-Life Crime

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The TV show “Twin Peaks” is cherished by fans for its mysterious and dreamlike ambiance. Although the storylines are entirely made up, the creators, Mark Frost and David Lynch, drew inspiration from a case that captivated the nation over 80 years ago before the show premiered. During their summer vacations, Frost and his family often visited the picturesque town of Sand Lake in upstate New York. His grandmother would share fascinating tales about an unsolved murder that had lingered in the tranquil community for decades. The circumstances surrounding the death of 20-year-old Hazel Drew served as the foundation for the central mystery in the popular series.

In case you recall, the introduction for “Twin Peaks” unfolds with the tragic demise of lovely teenager Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee), who was taken too soon. Later, her body is found abandoned by a lake. The circumstances surrounding Laura’s on-screen life and death bear striking similarities to the unsolved murder of Hazel.

Hazel Drew’s Death Shattered an Idyllic Community

Based on accounts, Hazel Drew was admired by numerous people and spent her time caring for children as a governess. On July 7, 1908, this young woman vanished from her residence in upstate New York. Several days later, her lifeless body was found floating in Teal’s Pond. Initially, the district attorney believed Hazel took her own life, but an autopsy uncovered that she succumbed to fatal head injuries caused by blunt force trauma.

Drew’s sudden death shocked the country and remained the main topic in news headlines. Various tabloids spread unverified stories, such as Hazel being a sex worker or carrying a child at the time of her passing. Most of these rumors turned out to be completely baseless, but the widespread dissemination of false information probably did little to counteract the harm it caused.

During the investigation into Hazel’s tragic death, various pieces of information emerged. Eventually, it became clear that Hazel had a lively dating scene which was largely unknown to many. The authorities later found a collection of postcards, letters, and photographs that hinted at multiple romantic connections for Hazel. Instead of using their full names, she referred to her admirers by their initials.

Despite the mystery surrounding Hazel’s death not yet being definitively solved by the authorities, they looked into numerous possible suspects such as a farmhand, a neighbor, a dentist, a train conductor, and Hazel’s uncle William. Moreover, the book titled “Murder At Teal’s Pond” by David Bushman and Mark T. Givens offers an intriguing hypothesis. The authors suggest that William Cushing, a resident embalmer from Sand Lake, and Fred Schatzle, a powerful Republican figure and friend of Cushing, might be the ones responsible for the crime.

The authors propose that Hazel’s death might have been a hurried effort to conceal a sexual assault, and they speculate that the possible offenders could have escaped justice due to their powerful standing within the community. However, it’s important to note that this theory remains unproven in a court of law.

Numerous Parallels Exist Between Hazel Drew and Laura Palmer

It’s quite evident from the facts that there are numerous similarities between the murder of Hazel Drew in 1908 and the death of Laura Palmer on Twin Peaks. To begin with, the location where Hazel’s body was found and the manner of her death closely resemble those of Laura. As viewers might remember, Laura’s body was discovered in a lake (Black Lake) following injuries inflicted by a heavy object. Similarly, Hazel was found near a water source, having died from blunt force trauma.

In addition, some of the frenzied conjecture and prejudiced opinions about Hazel’s supposed double life can be found in the series Twin Peaks. However, Frost and Lynch handle this complexly and progressively, offering a deeper understanding of the character rather than passing judgment. Instead, they strive to create a backstory for her actions by depicting a heart-rending history of abuse. Regrettably, Hazel was not given such understanding when her reputation was unfairly tarnished by the tabloids.

Or, more casually:

The speculation and judgmental comments about Hazel’s dual life in Twin Peaks are somewhat similar to what she faced. But Frost and Lynch take a more sophisticated approach, delving into her character rather than criticizing her actions. Instead, they aim to explain her behavior by revealing a sad past of abuse. Unfortunately, Hazel didn’t get such understanding when the tabloids slandered her name.

In addition to drawing inspiration from Hazel’s fondness for initials and clandestine connections, as many Twin Peaks enthusiasts may recall, Laura maintains a diary that employs initials instead of names when discussing her numerous admirers. Lastly, the creators, Lynch and Frost, similarly weave in numerous red herrings throughout the series, mirroring the actual case on which the show is based, where multiple intriguing suspects were questioned regarding Hazel’s demise, yet no concrete answers were found.

As a dedicated cinema enthusiast, I can’t help but express my admiration for the enigmatic masterpiece that is Twin Peaks, crafted by the genius minds of Lynch and Frost. This captivating drama unveils a baffling mystery that, although eventually finds resolution, leaves one crucial question unanswered: who killed dear Hazel? It’s heart-wrenching to think that this heinous crime remains unsolved even after all these years have passed, making it improbable that the case will ever be closed.

Strikingly, there are striking similarities between the real-life murder of Hazel Drew and the onscreen demise of Laura Palmer. If you’re intrigued to delve deeper into the heartbreaking tale that sparked Twin Peaks, I strongly recommend reading Murder At Teal’s Pond.

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2025-07-19 21:41