1928: Fatal back-alley abortion in Chicago;

On November 4, 1928, 22-year-old Anna Borndal died at the office of Dr. Lou E. Davis of Chicago, from complications of an abortion performed there that day. Davis was held by the coroner for unintentional manslaughter. She was indicted by a grand jury for homicide.

Anna's abortion was typical of illegal abortions in that it was performed by a physician.

Her death is similar to the safe, legal abortion death of Faye Roe, who died in the office of Andre Nehorayoff from complications of an abortion he had performed there -- the biggest difference I can see in that Faye was taken to a hospital to be pronounced dead, whereas Anna was pronounced dead on the scene.



For more on pre-legalization abortion, see The Bad Old Days of Abortion

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