We Keep the Dead Close

by Becky Cooper

  10 some articles called it ochre: “Coed’s Slayer Went through Ancient Ritual,” Boston Record-American (evening edition), Jan. 9, 1969.

  11 others called it iodine oxide: “Girl Slayer Performed Burial Rite,” Boston Herald Traveler, Jan. 9, 1969.

  12 according to the Boston Globe: “‘Gift’ Rock May Be Cambridge Death Weapon,” Boston Globe, Jan. 9, 1969.

  13 only stable oxide of iodine: Interview with Narayan Khandekar in 2020.

  14 was in Italy: Arthur Bankoff statement.

  15 “People who said so”: Interview with Arthur Bankoff in 2016.

  16 portion of a colonial gravestone: CPD-SW p. 3; colonial detail from source below; also interview with Don Mitchell in 2017.

  17 winged skull: Susan Kelly notes from interview with Paul Shankman, July 31, 1996 (police file).

  18 Cambridge Police’s source: Stephen Williams never publicly admitted being the police’s source on the matter. This conclusion is drawn from multiple sources. Many newspaper reports cite a Harvard Anthropology professor as the source of the information about red ochre (e.g., “‘Gift’ Rock May Be Cambridge Death Weapon,” Boston Globe, Jan. 9, 1969). In a few, Williams is named as the police source/consultant: “Slain Harvard Student Buried—Police Film All at Service,” Boston Globe, Jan. 11, 1969; “Coed’s Killer Held Weird Rite,” Daily News, Jan. 10, 1969; “Harvard Coed: Mystery Surrounds Slaying,” The Tech (MIT), Jan. 14, 1969.” This reporting is corroborated by CPD-SW, in which Williams discusses the ritual element of red ochre and mentions that the police had already called him to discuss red ochre on the evening of Jan. 8, 1969, before the news broke.

  Stephen Williams and Detective Halliday

  1 This chapter is an excerpt of CPD-SW. This police transcript, as well as the others that appear later in the book, has been edited for concision and clarity. In places, I have made decisions about rearranging the sequencing within the interviews to reflect the way in which I discovered and pieced together the story from the investigatory materials. However, in all cases, these editing decisions were guided by the intent to keep the spirit and sense of the original preserved.

  Keep the Dead Close

  1 buried the dead under their houses: For more on burial customs at Ain Mallaha: François Valla, et al., “Eynan (Ain Mallaha),” in Quaternary of the Levant: Environments, Climate Change, and Humans, edited by Yehouda Enzel and Ofer Bar-Yosef (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2017), pp. 295–296.

  The Peabody

  1 Karl’s first day…PhD at UPenn: CCLK curriculum vitae; interview with CCLK in 2020.

  2 hair down to his shoulders: This description from interviews with CCLK in 2017 and 2020. He also said, “I used to go into my class and take my helmet off, and the kids would cheer.”

  3 ninety-ninth birthday: Peabody founded in 1866 per “Museum History,” Peabody Museum at Harvard University website.

  4 Castle was only ten years old: Completed and opened to the public in Feb. 1855 per “Great Hall of Smithsonian Castle Opens to Public,” engraving, Feb. 8, 1855, W. W. Turner to J. R. Bartlett, Jan. 31, 1866, J. C. Brown Library, Brown University.

  5 founded for another four years: AMNH founded in 1869, per “Museum History: A Timeline,” AMNH’s website.

  6 codified program of teaching: Peabody became incorporated into Harvard University in 1897, Gérald Gaillard, The Routledge Dictionary of Anthropologists (London: Routledge, 2004), p. 56.

  7 all fields of anthropology, including archaeology: The fact that archaeology is categorized as a subfield of anthropology is a quirk of American archaeology––the legacy of Franz Boas’s Four-Field approach. In Europe, archaeology is often a discipline in its own right, or it is taught under the umbrella of history or classics or Oriental studies. For more on this, and the tension it creates within the discipline in the US, see Bernard Wood, “Four-Field Anthropology: A Perfect Union or a Failed State?” Society 50, no. 2 (2013): 152–155.

  8 “were made to hold powerful magic”: Interview with Barbara Allen in 2017.

  9 Mexico’s sacred cenotes: “Envoy: From Deep to Dark,” Harvard Advocate, Commencement Issue, 2011.

  10 feathers and spirit masks and saliva samples: Interview with Barbara Allen in 2017.

  11 P. T. Barnum’s mermaid: Interview with Anne Kern in 2018.

  12 network of secret passages: Interview with Alison Brooks in 2017.

  13 Joe Johns: Interview with Joe Johns in 2017; interview with Richard Meadow in 2017.

  14 Duke of Montrose: “Ian Graham, 93, Intrepid Investigator, Interpreter of Mayan Ruins,” Boston Globe, Aug. 3, 2017.

  15 smoked like a chimney: Interview with Tom Patterson in 2017.

  16 tiny one that flipped: Interview with David Freidel in 2017.

  17 never gave her an official position: Interview with Michael Coe in 2017; interview with Richard Meadow in 2020.

  18 only place to smoke…almost blue: Interview with Bruce Bourque in 2017.

  19 academically uninspiring: Many of Williams’s students, however, were grateful for his support, like Bruce Bourque, who remembered Williams as a “really decent human being [who] took good care of his students.”

  20 all-male faculty club: The club didn’t open to women until 1968 per “History,” Harvard Faculty Club website.

  21 West End duck hunting club: Interview with Tom Patterson in 2017.

  22 the only tenured woman: “The First Tenured Women Professors at Harvard University,” infographic developed by Harvard University’s Faculty Development & Diversity, Office of the Senior Vice Provost, 2011.

  23 turned away from her: Interview with Alice Kehoe in 2017.

  24 hair parted in the middle: Harvey Bricker, Hallam Leonard Movius Jr. (1907–1987): A Biographical Memoir (Washington, DC: National Academy of Sciences, 2007), p. 2.

  25 lieutenant colonel: Bricker, Hallam Leonard Movius Jr., p. 9.

  26 egg timer…twelve-minute break: Interview with Alison Brooks in 2017.

  27 one of his female graduate students: Source wishes to be unattributed.

  28 “Hamilton, that’s a much better name”: Interview with Sally Shankman in 2017.

  29 “All archaeology is the re-enactment”: CCLK foreword, p. XX, paraphrasing R. G. Collingwood by substituting “archaeology” for “history.”

  30 people made fun: Interview with Liz Gude in 2017.

  31 black-tie parties…rarely wore jackets: Interviews with CCLK in 2017 and 2020.

  32 big impression on David Freidel: Interview with David Freidel in 2017.

  33 spring of 1967: “Culture History of the Old World: Ethnography,” Record of Subjects and Grades in Jane Britton’s Radcliffe student file; cross-referenced with Courses of Instruction Harvard and Radcliffe, Faculty of Arts and Sciences 1966–1967, Official Register of Harvard University, 63, no. 17 (1968): 43.

  34 committee for her undergraduate thesis: CPD-CCLK 1, p. 2 and CPD-JH, p. 10.

  35 Karl had dangled: Letter from Jane to her parents, June 24, 1966.

  36 third straight summer: Letters from Jane to her parents in summers 1965–1967.

  37 “a pigheaded old bastard…fur fly”: Letter from Jane to her father, June 2, 1965.

  38 space opening up in the department: Openings in Harvard department used to be calculated with something called the Graustein formula. See “Faculty Moves away from Power Politics,” Harvard Crimson, Nov. 10, 1988.

  39 Movius suddenly announced: CPD-IK, p. 17.

  40 Decades later, Francesco Pellizzi: Interview with Francesco Pellizzi in 2017.

  Speaking of Silences

  1 Jim Humphries’s roommate: CPD-JH and CPD-RM.

  2 his dissertation adviser: CCLK curriculum vitae.

  3 director of the Peabody’s Zooarchaeology Laboratory: Interview with Richard Meadow in 2020.

  Blackout

  1 deeply upsetting. Infuriating and misinformed—nasty even: Interviews with CCLK in 2017 and 2018.

  2 “There were complaints”: “Cambri
dge Murder Victim Is Recalled as Intelligent and Witty,” New York Times, Jan. 19, 1969.

  3 “completely ridiculous…burial ceremony”: “Profs, Cops Differ on Slaying,” New York Post, Jan. 10, 1969.

  4 obliged when authorities: Interview with CCLK in 2017.

  5 “total fabrication”: “Profs, Cops Differ on Slaying,” New York Post, Jan. 10, 1969.

  6 “so-called Harvard”: “Indications Jane Knew Her Slayer,” Boston Herald Traveler, Jan. 11, 1969.

  7 “I want to underline”: “Police Examine Ochre Found Near Slaying Victim,” Boston Globe, Jan. 10, 1969.

  8 one of her pigments: “Britton Case News Blackout Ordered,” Tuscaloosa News, Jan. 10, 1969.

  9 “If you ever do or say this again”: Interview with CCLK in 2018.

  10 1010 Commonwealth Avenue: Don Mitchell interview transcript with Sergeant Sennott, July 17, 2017, p. 181 (MSP file).

  11 each lasted about an hour: “Coed’s Killer Held Weird Rite,” Daily News, Jan. 10, 1969.

  12 Don spoke to reporters: “Strange Clue in Coed Case,” New York Post, Jan. 9, 1969.

  13 starched white button-down: Description from Daily News photo by Mel Finkelstein, Jan. 9, 1969.

  14 presence of an attorney: “Coed’s Friend Nixes Lie Test,” Daily News, Jan. 9, 1969.

  15 [Photo]: Mel Finkelstein/New York Daily News.

  16 cigarette slowly enough: “Suspect Rite Performed Co-ed’s Killer,” Chicago Tribune, Jan. 10, 1969.

  17 “If it wasn’t as serious”: “Jane’s Killer Enacted Ancient Rite over Her,” Daily News, Jan. 10, 1969.

  18 Late that afternoon: “Police Examine Ochre,” Boston Globe, Jan. 10, 1969.

  19 the first time since: “Cambridge Rambler: The Scene Is Changed,” Boston Record-American, Jan. 11, 1969.

  20 thinning white hair: Uncredited photo in Daily News, Jan. 13, 1969.

  21 since last summer: “Rapping with the Cambridge Cops,” Harvard Crimson, Mar. 23, 1970.

  22 overseen a handful of murders: “Murder in Cambridge, 1959–1989,” compiled by the Cambridge Police Department’s Crime Analysis Unit.

  23 “There will be no statements”: “Police Examine Ochre Found Near Slaying Victim,” Boston Globe, Jan. 10, 1969.

  24 “Suddenly the chief”: Interview with Mike McGovern in 2016.

  25 blackout felt like a cover-up: Interview with Joe Modzelewski in 2014.

  26 “Around here, Harvard is thicker than water”: “Covering Harvard—A View from the Outside,” Harvard Crimson, June 12, 1969.

  27 “We couldn’t get anybody…pretend like it didn’t happen”: Interview with Joe Modzelewski in 2014.

  28 stone tool…had been located: “Police Examine Ochre,” Boston Globe, Jan. 10, 1969.

  29 any further details: “Cambridge Police Declare Black-out On Britton Case,” Harvard Crimson, Jan. 10, 1969.

  Dancing with Ghosts

  1 international drug smuggling: “Officials Jail Alumnus in 1500-lb Hash Bust,” Harvard Crimson, Feb. 21, 1970.

  2 FBI informant: “Jessie Gill’s Story: Is It Fact or Fancy?” Harvard Crimson, Apr. 12, 1973.

  3 another murder occurred: Multiple, including “Widow 2D Cambridge Victim of Bludgeoning in Month,” Boston Globe, Feb. 7, 1969.

  4 covered with a blanket: Medical Examiner Report of Death by David Dow (CPD file).

  5 looked much younger: “2 Murders in Cambridge Seen Similar,” Boston Herald Traveler, Feb. 7, 1969.

  6 dark hair and hazel eyes: Medical Examiner Report of Death by David Dow (CPD file).

  7 Of the four murders: “Murder in Cambridge, 1959–1989,” compiled by the Cambridge Police Department’s Crime Analysis Unit.

  8 “Don’t do it”: Phone call with Alec Klein in 2014.

  9 “Only people of a certain disposition”: Nick Hornby, High Fidelity (New York: Riverhead Books, 1995), p. 30.

  10 the Mountain Cabin restaurant: This was our name for the Black Mountain Wine House (415 Union St.).

  11 “You’ve changed”: “You’ve Changed,” written by Carl Fischer and Bill Carey, Melody Lane Productions, Inc. Copyright 1942.

  2018: Who Would You Rather Have It Be?

  1 Conversation with Don Mitchell took place on July 25, 2018.

  Funeral

  1 like they had the plague: “Cambridge Rambler: News Blackout Hit,” Boston Record-American, Jan. 18, 1969.

  2 banged on Ingrid Kirsch’s door: Here through “nose over a couple of feet,” from CPD-IK.

  3 Christ Episcopal Church: “‘Gift’ Rock May Be Cambridge Death Weapon,” Boston Globe, Jan. 9, 1969.

  4 it had been her church: Interview with Boyd Britton in 2019.

  5 Giacoppo clutched his movie camera: Mel Finkelstein photo, “Cops & Cameras Study Crowd at Jane’s Rites,” Daily News, Jan. 11, 1969.

  6 250 attendees: There is a slight discrepancy in the newspaper reports for this number. The Boston Globe, Boston Record-American, and Daily News estimated 400 attendees, but I went with the New York Times’s 250 because there were only about 200 signatures in Jane’s funeral book.

  7 tell him who to film: “Cops & Cameras Study Crowd at Jane’s Rites,” Daily News, Jan. 11, 1969; interview with Don Mitchell in 2017.

  8 [Photo]: Mel Finkelstein/New York Daily News.

  9 accompanied by his brother: CPD-RM, p. 50 and Cambridge Police photos from funeral (CPD file).

  10 Richard Meadow’s father: CPD-RM, p. 25 and interview with Richard Meadow in 2018.

  11 dean at Harvard med school: “Henry Coe Meadow: Memorial Minute,” Harvard Gazette, May 13, 2004.

  12 set him up with: “3 Friends of Slain Co-Ed Take Lie Tests,” Boston Herald Traveler, Jan. 10, 1969.

  13 paler and more sleep-deprived: CPD-RM, p. 49.

  14 oversize pair of sunglasses: Mel Finkelstein photo, “Cops & Cameras Study Crowd at Jane’s Rites,” Daily News, Jan. 11, 1969.

  15 Jane’s mother stooped over: Cambridge Police photos from funeral.

  16 [Photo]: Jane Britton police file.

  17 made their way from the parking lot: Cambridge Police photos from funeral.

  18 shown up to help as a courtesy: Interview with Boyd Britton in 2016.

  19 [Photo]: Jane Britton police file.

  20 Richard Meadow walked alone: Cambridge Police photos from funeral.

  21 donations to be made: “Slayer Performed Ancient Ritual over Victim,” Boston Record-American, Jan. 9, 1969. The Jane S. Britton Memorial Book Fund was started in her honor (“Britton Memorial Fund,” Peabody Museum Newsletter, winter 1969, p. 2).

  22 Mary Bunting: Bunting does not appear in the Cambridge Police photos, but her signature appears in Jane’s funeral book, and her appearance was noted in “Slain Harvard Student Buried—Police Film All at Service,” Boston Globe, Jan. 11, 1969.

  23 not so for J. O. Brew: Cambridge Police photos from funeral.

  24 “My god. Has he got balls”: CPD-IK, p. 72.

  25 Jane’s neighbors, the Pressers: Woodward photographed next to the Pressers in the CPD photos from funeral.

  26 stained-glass cross glittered: Author visit to Needham Episcopal; confirmed with Boyd Britton in 2019.

  27 Jim Humphries sat in front: Don Mitchell Websleuths (WS) post #492, July 1, 2014.

  28 White roses: “Slain Harvard Student Buried—Police Film All at Service,” Boston Globe, Jan. 11, 1969.

  29 Soft organ music: “Jane Britton Laid to Rest,” Boston Herald Traveler, Jan. 11, 1969.

  30 Reverend Harold Chase: “Slain Harvard Student Buried—Police Film All at Service,” Boston Globe, Jan. 11, 1969.

  31 “peace now and forever”…no eulogy: “Jane Britton Laid to Rest,” Boston Herald Traveler, Jan. 11, 1969.

  32 “I remember being there”: Interview with Mel Konner in 2017.

  33 dabbed their eyes: “Cops & Cameras Study Crowd at Jane’s Rites,” Daily News, Jan. 11, 1969.

  34 a single sob: “Cops & Cameras Study Crowd at Jane’s Rites,” Daily
News, Jan. 11, 1969. In a 2017 interview, Jane’s half brother Charlie Britton told me the sob was likely his.

  35 less than thirty minutes: “Slain Harvard Student Buried—Police Film All at Service,” Boston Globe, Jan. 11, 1969.

  36 “Get him”: “Cops & Cameras Study Crowd at Jane’s Rites,” Daily News, Jan. 11, 1969.

  37 slipped out a side door: “Find Ritual Clue in Coed’s Papers,” New York Post, Jan. 11, 1969.

  True Crimson

  1 forty-thousand-year-old interment: “First Humans in Australia Dated to 50,000 Years Ago,” National Geographic News, Feb. 24, 2003.

  2 Moorehead burial complex in Canada: Interview with Bruce Bourque in 2017.

  3 stone coffin burials in southern Russia: Interview with Ruth Tringham in 2017.

  4 Shanidar Cave in Iraq: Interview with Ed Wade in 2017.

  5 Red Queen of Palenque: “Mystery Queen in the Maya Tomb,” National Geographic, Feb. 2, 2018. She is covered in a different red powder: cinnabar, otherwise known as the highly toxic mercury sulfide.

  6 nineteen-thousand-year-old: “The Red Lady of El Mirón,” Archaeology, Sept.–Oct. 2015.

  7 thirty-three-thousand-year-old: “The ‘Red Lady’ of Paviland,” Oxford Museum of Natural History’s website.

  8 turned out to be a young man: “The Secrets of Paviland Cave,” The Guardian, Apr. 25, 2011.

  9 earliest example of symbolic thought: “Cave Colours Reveal Mental Leap,” BBC News Online, Dec. 11, 2003.

  10 Archaeologists speculated: Nicola Attard Montalto, “The Characterisation and Provenancing of Ancient Ochres,” PhD dissertation, Cranfield Health, Translational Medicine, Cranfield University, 2010, p. 21.

  11 Greek for “blood-like”: Dictionary.com entry for the origin of “hematite,” based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary (New York: Random House, 2020).

  12 history of Harvard’s school color: See R. Leopoldina Torres, “The Colorful History of Crimson at Harvard,” Harvard Art Museums website, Oct. 3, 2013. Reverend Gomes’s quote from “Harvard Explained: Why Is Crimson Harvard’s Official Color?” Fifteen Minutes, Apr. 11, 2002.