Thursday, April 24, 2025

April 24, 1932: Continued String of Oklahoma City Abortion Deaths

Summary: Lennis May Roach, age 25, was one of a string of abortion deaths that shook Oklahoma City in April of 1932.

A white man of about 60 years of age, with a very high forehead, large nose, and grim facial expression
Dr. Richard Thacker
Dr. Richard Thacker's trial for the April 15, 1932 abortion death of Ruth Hall brought out testimony concerning the April 24 death of 25-year-old Lennis May Roach and of other patients, including Robbie Lou Thompson, and Nancy Lee.

Lennis was a native of Tennessee. She left behind her husband, Francis Scott Roach, and at least one child, a daughter who would have been about four years old based on 1930 census records. Francis worked as a janitor in an auto factory.

Lennis had come to Thacker's office several times, he admitted. Thacker said that she had been in poor health and emaciated, and had a white discharge, indicative of infection, from her vagina. She also, Thacker said, had pains in her abdomen. Thacker said that he treated her with a tonic and with antiseptic tampons.

He adamantly denied that he had performed an abortion on her. However, other witnesses, including Lennis's husband, testified that Thacker had indeed performed an abortion, causing her death. Thacker was prosecuted only for Ruth Hall's death and was sentenced to life in prison. He died in prison in 1937. This is probably why he wasn't prosecuted for any of the other deaths. 

Sources:
at 12:00 AM

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