May 27: "Hollywood Play-Girl" Found Dead in an Alley

Patricia Steele, age 34, "Hollywood Play-Girl" found in a Los Angeles alley on May 27, 1952. Victor Cefalu, who performed the autopsy, said that she'd died from either hemorrhage or infection caused by an abortion that had taken place 24 to 48 hours before her death.

Patricia's physician, Dr. Louis J. Klingbell, reportedly told the police that Patricia had been four months into her pregnancy and had told him, "I'm going to do something about it."

Patricia was the daughter of financier Victor Steel and his wife, Jane. She had a "richly-furnished" apartment and travelled to Honolulu two months before her death. Her expensive convertible was still in her garage.

Victor said that he'd talked to Patricia on the telephone the morning of May 26 and she'd told him that she felt sick. He called back later but got no answer.

Source:

• "Hollywood Play-Girl Found Dead In Alley; Said Victim Of Abortion," Lancaster (PA) Intelligencer Journal, May 28, 1952