New Episode: The Redpath Family Murders (We're back from our holiday break!)

The Redpath family's mark on Montreal's history is significant, as they were among the city's wealthiest and most influential families during the late 19th century.

The Redpath family was one of the wealthiest and most prominent families in Montreal in the late 19th century.

John Redpath, the patriarch, was not only a successful businessman but also played a crucial role in constructing the city's landscape.

John Redpath, the family patriarch, was a successful businessman who helped build up the city of Montreal through his construction company.

He owned the construction company responsible for building many of the city's landmarks, contributing to Montreal’s cultural and architectural heritage. His company's projects included important buildings like the theater and cathedral, which are integral to the city's identity.

The Redpath family mansion was one of the most remarkable homes in Montreal's most exclusive neighborhoo ...

At the age of 59, Ada Redpath, the family matriarch, suffered from numerous health issues that left her largely bedridden and dependent on her children for care.

Ada's Struggle with Health Concerns

Ada struggled with a variety of medical conditions. She not only dealt with a "nervous condition," melancholia, and insomnia, but also had problems with her eyes, jaw, and joints. Ada's debilitating health challenges made daily life very difficult for her, to the point where she questioned the value of living. Amy, her daughter, documented in her journal that life itself was a strain on her mother, indicating the extent of Ada's suffering.

The Family's Role in Caregiving

Intense Family Involvement in Ada's Care

Ada's two youngest children, Clifford and Amy, were deeply involved in caring for their mother. Amy, as the oldest daughter living at home, managed the household duties, while Clifford provided vital emotional support. Family letters and diary entries reveal Ada's feelings of guilt over the burden she posed to her children, despite her continuous reliance on them for support.

Ada's care routine often involved Amy sitting by her bedside through nights of insomnia, while Clifford offered distractions from her pain by reading stories to her. The siblings, despite their caregiving responsibilities, also found ways to support one another and maintain their soci ...

In 1901, Ada and Clifford Redpath were found dead under mysterious circumstances that have left many questions unanswered.

On June 13, 1901, Ada and Clifford Redpath were found dead in Ada's bedroom, both shot in the head.

Ada Redpath, confined to her bedroom due to her health, was socializing on June 13, 1901, feeling well enough to have friends over. Instead, a tragic scene unfolded: both Ada and her son Clifford were found shot in the head in her bedroom. Peter, another of Ada's sons, was in the house when the gunshots were heard. He rushed to Ada's room to find both his mother and brother with gunshot wounds.

Ada died within minutes, while Clifford, though unresponsive, was taken to a nearby hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. As friends arrived for the planned dinner, they were met with a chaotic scene and informed of an "accident."

Three gunshots were heard, but the coroner's report did not account for where all three bullets ended up.

Peter's testimony mentioned three gunshots, but there was confusion about who they struck and ambiguity about the whereabouts of the third bullet. Initially, it was thought that Clifford had been shot twice, but later conjectures suggested it might have been Ada. The number of gunshot wounds on each victim wasn't clarified in the coroner's report, leaving the trajectory and destination of the third bullet a mystery.

The family did not contact the police, instead holding a private inquest at the mansion that left many questions unanswered.

In the aftermath of the discovery, the family opted against contacting the police ...

The investigation into the shootings of Clifford and Ada Redpath raises several concerns over the handling of the case, which was quickly closed with many questions unanswered.

The coroner's inquest quickly concluded that Clifford had shot Ada and then himself during a seizure brought on by the stress of his law studies.

The coroner's inquest, opted by the Redpath family to be private and held within their home, drew criticism for its expeditious nature and lack of detail. The family did not contact law enforcement, and local police only became aware of the situation inadvertently, suggesting a reluctance for official police intervention.

The inquest did not thoroughly investigate the whereabouts and potential involvement of other family members and servants during the shootings.

Significant details such as the exact number and locations of the gunshot wounds on the victims were omitted from the report. Moreover, the inquest failed to consider all family members and servants as potential suspects or examine their alibis. The swift closure of the case, with burials taking place in less than two days, and the full funeral arranged for Clifford, despite the nature of his death, highlighted the family's use of their societal standing to control the situation.

The official report lacked key details, such as the exact number and location of gunshot wounds on the victims.

By n ...

In the wake of the puzzling deaths of Ada and Clifford, several theories have surfaced as individuals seek to make sense of the tragedy.

Some speculate that Ada may have killed Clifford and then herself

A prevailing theory holds that Ada, struggling with her health, may have been responsible for both her and Clifford's deaths, possibly impacted by the impending independence of her son. If Ada was indeed the perpetrator, her family might have had a strong incentive to obscure the truth to shield her reputation in Montreal society's eyes.

If this was the case, the family may have had a motive to cover up Ada's involvement to protect her reputation

This line of reasoning is compounded by a report that suggests the Redpath family had a hand in disseminating the initial misinformation that Ada was the shooter, a move potentially aimed at salvaging the societal standing of a woman renowned in their community.

Another theory is that one of the Redpath children, likely the daughter Amy, conspired with the family doctor

Another conjecture posits that Amy Redpath and possibly the family doctor were involved in a plot resulting in the deaths of Ada and Clifford. Amy, bearing the brunt of caregiving, might have had much to gain from Ada's demise.

Amy stood to gain the most from Ada's death, as the eldest daughter responsible for her mother's care

Scrutiny of Amy's detailed private diaries, chronicling Ada's health struggles yet devoid of any mention of Clifford's alleged epilepsy, casts doubt on the veracity of the epilepsy claim and fuels further speculation around her possible motives.

The doctor's quick speculation about Clifford's nonexistent epilepsy as the cau ...