Evelyn Throsby

Evelyn’s Story

Evelyn Throsby was born in New York City in 1892 to a working class family. There are some varied reports of her early life, particularly her first marriages, but it seems that she married at least twice in her twenties. These marriages were short lived.

Not long after, she met her next husband, Clement Petit, the son of a wealthy salt mine owner from Milwaukee. Clement had just gone through a divorce himself, ending his marriage when his wife refused to give up her social life in New York City though he’d been advised by doctors to lead a quieter life for his ill health. 

Clement showered Evelyn with affection (and gifts) and the two married in 1930. Not long after, they moved to California hoping the change in weather would be good for Clement’s health. The two built a house together. Ultimately, Clement’s health declined and he passed away in 1944.

After his death, Evelyn married Norris Mumper who was a consultant to the US Department of State. Norris encouraged Evelyn to continue to manage her own finances with the help of advisors. During this time, Evelyn became close with her stepson and his wife who were having trouble purchasing a property in the Los Angeles area. She offered to let them build on her property.

Not long after its completion, Norris passed away suddenly leaving her a widow yet again.

The Con Man Husband
At the age of 57, Evelyn attended a garden party and met a man we’ll call L. L began an intense effort to woo Evelyn, essentially love bombing her. A whirlwind romance followed and the two were soon married despite her friends’ misgivings.

L quickly worked to isolate Evelyn, moving her away from her home and friends in Pasadena and relocating to Bel Air. Soon, he systematically removed her staff, many of whom worked for her for years. Some of this staff had been witness to physical abuse perpetrated by L on Evelyn.

Additionally, he began abusing her financially. He claimed he was helping her move to an “all cash position,” something her advisors pushed back on because she lived on the dividends from her investment portfolio. 

Evelyn’s Last Days
In 1955, Evelyn attended a birthday party held in her honor and hosted by friends. L told guests the couple planned to travel to Europe and move there. 

The next day, a Mercedes salesman arrived at their residence with a 220-S for them to test drive. L said his intention was to pick up the car in Europe and drive it around there, but they never completed negotiations. The salesman is likely the last person who saw Evelyn arrive.

The next day, a man called the salon Evelyn visited every week and canceled her appointment and all appointments going forward. From there, L entered Evelyn’s safe deposit boxes on numerous occasions and friends, concerned about her absence, were told various stories including that she was at a sanatorium back east or that she had left L.

Though the friends talked, it would take months for them to establish that L was likely lying and pursue further action.

The Groundbreaking Legal Case

L was brought in for questioning in 1956. Though they suspected him of murder, Evelyn’s body had not been located. He told investigators various lies including that she’d left him and that she was a lesbian.

During the search of their property and neighboring properties, investigators found glasses and a dental plate later confirmed to be Evelyn’s. These were outside along a wall. 

By April, 13 charges were filed against L, mostly pertaining to fraud and forgery. They had hoped to bring him in again for a separate grand jury charge for murder, but between the two hearings, L escaped.

L successfully hid and lived in Canada for a year before he was captured reentering Canada from the US with a newly purchased car. He was extradited back to California where he faced the fraud charges along with an added murder charge. He was convicted of his crimes and sent to San Quentin Prison.

L was released in 1978 mostly because the prison system was ill-equipped to deal with an aging inmate. In 1984, he confessed to Evelyn’s murder while speaking with the journalist and author Diane Wagner. He said he buried her in Las Vegas.

Evelyn was never found. Her killer died in poverty, alone.

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People and Cases Mentioned in this Episode:
Evelyn Throsby (solved murder, unsolved missing persons case)

If you have any information about the disappearance of Evelyn Throsby, please contact:

Los Angeles Police Department

(213) 485-5381