In his 1999 Report of Findings, James Wentzel, a forensic photographer for the Cuyahoga County's Coroner's office, states that the pillow located at the top of Marilyn's bed was among the most discussed items from the murder scene. Under the direction of Coroner Elizabeth Balraj, Wentzel conducted numerous experiments to reproduce the appearance of the blood stain. During the initial murder investigation in 1954, Coroner Samuel Gerber became convinced that the pattern was the result of a medical instrument (the murder weapon) resting on the pillow. Below are: the original crime scene photos of Marilyn's pillow; Wentzel's Report of Findings (which also discusses his experiments regarding the scar on the wrist of Richard Eberling, analysis of blood spatter and the blood "trail" at the crime scene and Sam's wristwatch); Wentzel's report on weapon imprint analysis on the pillowcase; and pictures from Wentzel's forensic testing of the pillow.
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Pillow 01. Original crime scene photo of Marilyn's pillow
Cuyahoga County Coroner's Office
Pillow from bed of victim showing bloodstain on pillow case.
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Pillow 02. Original crime scene photo of reverse of Marilyn's pillow
Cuyahoga County Coroner's Office
Reverse side of pillow from bed of victim showing blood stains on pillow case .
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Pillow 03. Wentzel's Report of Findings, 12/27/1999
Cuyahoga County Coroner's Office and James Wentzel
James Wentzel's report summarizing his examination of photographs, testimony and documents related to Marilyn Sheppard's murder. Wentzel comments on blood patterns at the murder scene and on Marilyn's pillow, Sam's wristwatch and the scar on Richard Eberling's wrist.
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Pillow 04. Wentzel's notes on weapon imprint analysis and other forensic matters
Cuyahoga County Coroner's Office and James Wentzel
Describes a series of four experiments designed to determine whether the imprint observed on the pillowcase was the result of the pillow folded around an object or if the blood-covered object was simply placed on the soaking-type bloodstain. Also discusses experiments/analysis of the blood "trail", the scar on Eberling's wrist and the blood on Sam's wristwatch.
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Test pillows: 01-15
Cuyahoga County Coroner's Office and James Wentzel
Test pillows 1 - 15 explored a wet tool being placed on a wet stain and folding the pillow around the tool. Various sequences and moderate drying times were explored.
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Test pillows: 16-30
Cuyahoga County Coroner's Office and James Wentzel
Pillows 16-30 explored a wet tool being placed on a drying stain and folding the tool around the tool. Extended drying times and various dry-to-the-touch stains were used. Additionally, this series explored blood transfer to the sheet and a wet tool on a wet stain without folding.
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Test pillows: 31-42
Cuyahoga County Coroner's Office and James Wentzel
Pillows 31-42 explored random folds with complete drying of the stain.
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Test pillows: 43-48
Cuyahoga County Coroner's Office and James Wentzel
Pillows 43-48 explored random folds with extended, but varying, drying times.
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Test pillows: other photos from Wentzel's experiments
Cuyahoga County Coroner's Office and James Wentzel
Other photos of Wentzel's experiments.
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Description of Pillow Fold Experiments
James Wentzel and Elizabeth K. Balraj
This document describes the Cuyahoga County Coroner's experiments performed on December 14, 1998, December 30, 1999 and January 5, 2000. These experiments attempted to determine what may have made the blood stain pattern on Marilyn's pillow.
