Spontaneous Human Combustion: The Case of Mary Reeser
Spontaneous human combustion (SHC) is one of the most baffling and eerie phenomena in the world. This strange occurrence involves the sudden combustion of the human body, burning it to ashes without any visible external flame. The effects can range from minor burns and blisters to complete incineration, and curiously, the surrounding area or furniture often remains undamaged.
Over the years, there have been more than 200 documented cases of spontaneous human combustion worldwide, each without an obvious cause. But perhaps the most famous and thoroughly investigated case is that of Mary Reeser.
The First Recorded Cases of SHC
The earliest reliable record of SHC dates back to 1673 when a Frenchman named Jonas Dupont published a book titled The Flame of Human Combustion. In it, he compiled various instances of spontaneous combustion and attempted to explain this phenomenon. Dupont was inspired by a case involving Nicole Miller, where a man was acquitted after the court concluded his wife died of SHC rather than foul play. 
The Case of Patrick Rooney
Another documented case occurred in 1885 near Ottawa, Illinois. On Christmas morning, farmer Patrick Rooney and his wife were found dead in their home. Rooney’s body was found seated in a chair, while his wife’s charred remains were discovered on the floor, with only a few bones left, including a skull and parts of the spine. Strangely, the floor around her was undamaged, and even the nearby furniture remained intact. Dr. Floyd Clemens, the coroner, testified that this was a classic case of SHC.
Mary Reeser: The Mysterious Case
In 1951, 67-year-old Mary Reeser became the victim of one of the most famous SHC cases. A resident of St. Petersburg, Florida, Reeser’s death would go on to intrigue and puzzle investigators for years.
On the evening of July 1, 1951, Mary’s son, Richard Reeser, visited her apartment. He recalled that she was wearing a silk nightgown and slippers, and everything seemed normal when he left. The following morning, a postal worker arrived with a telegram for Mary but received no response when knocking on the door. The landlord, Mrs. Pansy Carpenter, was notified and confirmed that Mary had not been seen since the night before. When the door was finally forced open, a suffocating heat greeted those who entered.
Inside the apartment, a strange scene awaited. The furniture remained untouched, and yet, in the bathroom corner, a pile of blackened ash was found. The only remnants of Mary were a left leg, a few teeth, fragments of spine, and a skull that had strangely shrunk. The watch found next to the remains had stopped at 4:20 AM, the estimated time of her death.
The Investigation into Mary Reeser’s Death
The police conducted a thorough investigation and found no signs of forced entry or burglary, and no blood was present. The apartment showed signs of intense heat, with melted wax and twisted electrical switches. Experts quickly realized that for the human body to burn so completely, temperatures over 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit would be needed. This level of heat would have set fire to the entire building, yet the building’s structure was intact.
One theory that gained traction was the idea of SHC. However, the possibility of an accidental fire caused by a cigarette was also considered. It was speculated that Mary may have fallen asleep while smoking, and the flames from her cigarette ignited her highly flammable synthetic nightgown.
The Official Explanation
The FBI investigated the case but found no evidence of lightning strikes or other causes of ignition. They theorized that the fire was likely caused by Mary’s cigarette, which, combined with her body’s fat, could have sustained a slow, internal fire. The investigation was officially closed, and SHC was ruled out.
The Mystery Remains
Despite the official explanation, anthropologist Wilton M. Krogman of the University of Pennsylvania voiced doubts. He found it hard to believe that a human body could burn so completely. He argued that such a phenomenon defied normal experience and was something he had never encountered before.
Nearly 70 years have passed since Mary Reeser’s mysterious death, and to this day, the exact cause remains unknown. Some answers may never come, and the case of Mary Reeser remains one of the most puzzling mysteries in the realm of unexplained phenomena.
