The Ouija board murder

You will probably get many responses if you ask anyone what they think about Ouija boards. Ouija boards are said to be a way for people to communicate with the dead. By placing your hands on a planchette, you ask a question and wait for spirit guidance to move the planchette along the board.

Many people believe the Ouija board is a gateway into the spiritual world, but others think it's just a child's toy. However, if you asked superstitious Nancy Bowen, she would tell you it's real. But is it real enough to kill someone over?

In 1930, Nancy Bowen was a distraught widow, mourning the death of her husband Charley Bowen. Despite her grief, Nancy still desired one more conversation with him. To facilitate this, she sought help from Lila Jimerson. Jimerson suggested they use an Ouija board to reach Charley.

Together, the two women attempted to communicate with Charley's spirit. They inquired about Charley's death. They were reportedly shocked when Charley's spirit came through. Apparently, an evil witch named Clothilde Marchand killed him.

Nancy Bowen became angry. This meant confronting the witch and getting answers. It all culminated in March 1930 when Clothilde Marchand was murdered in her Buffalo, New York, home. Clothilde's son discovered the body. A hammer had been used to beat her to death. Whenever a homicide occurs, suspicion always lies with the victim's significant other. The police suspected Henri Marchand of killing his wife. He was a renowned French sculptor who denied any involvement.

The investigation into the homicide would soon uncover one of the weirdest cases ever. Authorities arrested Nancy Bowen. During an interview with police, Nancy claimed Clothilde Marchand was a witch who had murdered her husband Charley. She finally spoke out about her unbelievable story.

Nancy Bowen confronted Clothilde and accused her of being a witch and killing Charley Bowen. Clothilde probably believed Nancy Bowen was insane just before Bowen beat her to death with a hammer.

According to Nancy, she and Lila Jimerson channeled Charley's spirit using a Ouija board. When asked how she knew Clothilde had killed Charley, Nancy said she did so by using a Ouija board. Using a planchette, Charley spelled out his answers. However, Nancy's story had a flaw. Nancy couldn't read, so she didn't know if the Ouija board actually spelled out the answers she sought. She relied solely on Lila Jimerson, who used Nancy's superstitions to deceive her into committing a murder. Since Nancy couldn't read, Jimerson guided the planchette to spell out the necessary words to blame Clothilde Marchand for killing Charley Bowen.

Superstitious woman thinks a witch murdered her husband

Why would Lila Jimerson want Clothilde Marchand dead? Lila was a rival for Henri Marchand's love. Henri Marchand was a womanizer who had many affairs. One of them was with Lilia Jimerson. She assumed that she could have the renowned sculptor for herself if someone could remove his wife.

Authorities arrested both Bowen and Jimerson and charged them with killing Clothilde Marchand. Unfortunately, Clothilde didn’t receive any real justice. Jimerson was acquitted after two trials. Nancy Bowen pleaded guilty to manslaughter and served only one year in prison.

Jimerson claimed Henri Marchand wanted his wife dead, but nothing came of the accusation. Henri Marchand maintained his innocence and was never accused of the murder of his wife. After the trial, he moved to Troy, NY, where he married his sister's 18-year-old foster daughter. There are countless stories of people using Ouija boards, but this one will go down as one of the strangest ones ever told. So what are your thoughts on Ouija boards? Do you believe they can open a portal into the spiritual world? I believe they are more than a kid’s toy and have never touched one. I think some things are just meant to be left alone.