The true story of the rising career and shocking death of a 1920s star – and the Fatty Arbuckle trial

The Mysterious Death of Virginia Rappe: Unraveling the Tragic Story of a 1920s Star and the Fatty Arbuckle Trial

On September 9, 1921, Virginia Rappe, a rising star in the 1920s, tragically passed away at the age of 30.

Just days before her death, she attended a party at the St Francis Hotel in San Francisco, where she had an encounter with Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle, a prominent actor of the time.

At 34 years old, Arbuckle had already established himself as one of the most renowned actors in the silent film era.

With over 100 film credits and a $1 million contract (equivalent to $14 million today), he was considered a treasure of Hollywood.

His fame rivaled that of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton, and his face was recognized by movie fans worldwide.

Rappe, with her captivating brown eyes, stunning hair, and impeccable style, showed great promise as both a model and an actress.

She appeared in 13 films, including “His Wedding Night” alongside Arbuckle in 1917.

She was on the rise, while he was at the pinnacle of his career.

However, their lives took a tragic turn following the events that led to Rappe's death and Arbuckle's downfall, which continue to be debated even after a century.

After the Labor Day party, Rappe experienced excruciating pain for several days.

She was eventually pronounced dead due to a ruptured bladder.

Arbuckle was accused of causing her death and faced three trials.

The prosecution alleged that he had raped, assaulted, or inflicted violence upon Rappe during the party, resulting in the fatal bladder rupture.

Arbuckle vehemently denied these accusations.

Although he was ultimately acquitted, his reputation was tarnished, and he was shunned by Hollywood.

The story of Rappe and Arbuckle is often portrayed as a cautionary tale, focusing on the tragedy of a promising career cut short.

However, it rarely delves into the perspective of a young woman who died in agonizing circumstances.

Arbuckle was taken into custody by the police the day after Rappe's death.

He was initially charged with murder, later reduced to manslaughter.

The first trial lasted nearly a year, ending in a mistrial due to a deadlocked jury.

The second trial had a similar outcome.

It was the third trial, held between March and April 1922, that sealed Arbuckle's fate.

Within minutes, the jury acquitted him.

In an unprecedented move, a statement attributed to the jury expressed support for Arbuckle, declaring him entirely innocent and free from blame.

The accusations against Arbuckle led to an immediate ban on his movies.

Within a week of his arrest, his films were pulled from screens across America.

This demonstrates that “cancel culture” existed even a century ago and wielded significant power.

Examining the evidence presented during the trials is a complex task, given the contradictory testimonies and the limitations of medical and forensic knowledge in the 1920s.

There is no concrete DNA or hard evidence, only circumstantial information from nearly a century ago.

Arbuckle changed his story between speaking to the press initially and his first trial.

His original account mentioned Rappe becoming hysterical and tearing off her clothes after consuming alcohol.

He claimed to have tried to help her and called for a doctor.

This version implies that he was never alone with Rappe and therefore unable to assault her.

During the trial, Arbuckle presented a different narrative.

He stated that he found Rappe on the bathroom floor, visibly in pain and moaning.

According to his testimony, Rappe was holding her stomach.

In this version, Arbuckle attempted to assist her by offering water and laying her down on a bed.

He admitted that Maude Delmont, another party attendee who later became a key witness, told him to leave Rappe alone.

Arbuckle responded by telling Delmont to be quiet or he would throw her out the window.

Delmont testified that Rappe had claimed she was hurt and accused Arbuckle.

Two other witnesses supported her account, providing statements to the prosecution.

Medical experts at the time acknowledged that spontaneous bladder ruptures were extremely rare.

Dr. Shelby Strange, who conducted Rappe's post-mortem examination, believed that external force must have caused the rupture.

It is worth noting that Rappe's character was attacked during the trial, with witnesses highlighting her previous abdominal issues, heavy drinking habits, and alleged promiscuity.

These allegations, irrelevant to whether Arbuckle assaulted her or not, cast a shadow over the proceedings and their outcome.

Several books have been written about Arbuckle, but none solely dedicated to Rappe.

This may be due to her younger age at the time of death and her lesser fame compared to Arbuckle.

Nonetheless, it raises questions as to why the story is often framed as the downfall of a man's career rather than focusing on the loss of a woman's life.

Rappe, according to accounts, was an entrepreneurial, idealistic, and outspoken advocate for important causes.

Despite a challenging childhood and being orphaned at the age of 11, she made a name for herself in the industry by championing women's rights and pacifism before her untimely death at 30.

There is more to mourn than just the unresolved questions surrounding her demise.