Kidnapping of Lindbergh baby

Kidnapping of Lindbergh baby

Further investigation

In June 1932 officials began to suspect an "inside job" as the explanation to the kidnapping. Suspicions fell upon Violet Sharp, a British household servant in Lindbergh house. She had given contradictory testimony regarding her whereabouts on the night of the kidnapping. It was reported that she appeared nervous and suspicious when questioned. She committed suicide on June 10, 1932 by swallowing a silver polish that contained potassium cyanide just prior to what would have been her fourth time being questioned. After her alibi was confirmed, it was later determined that the possible threat of losing her job and the intense questioning had driven her to commit suicide. At the time, the police investigators were criticized for what some felt were the "heavy handed" police tactics used.

Following the death of Violet Sharp, John Condon was also questioned by police. Condon’s home was searched as well, but nothing was found that tied Condon to the crime. After the discovery of the body, John Condon remained unofficially involved in the case. He pledged to find the "Cemetery John" and took, sometimes rather controversial, actions to do so. But with time his actions were criticized as exploitative when f.e. he agreed to appear in a vaudeville act regarding the kidnapping or Liberty Magazine published a serialized account of his involvement in the Lindbergh case under the title "Jafsie Tells All".

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