File:Parsonage Parlor diorama 01.jpg

English: Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death, description of events & information that accompany the Parsonage Parlor diorama:

Reported to Nutshell Laboratories, Friday, August 23, 1946.

Dorothy Dennison, a high school student, was found dead after being reported missing by her mother, Mrs. James Dennison. Mrs. Dennison was questioned by Police Lieutenant Robert Peale, and gave the following statement:

On Monday morning, August 19, 1946, about eleven o’clock, Dorothy had walked downtown to buy some hamburg steak for dinner. She didn’t have much money in her purse. When she failed to return in time for dinner, her mother telephoned a neighbor who stated she had seen the girl walking toward the market, but had not seen her since. Mrs. Dennison also telephoned the market and the proprietor said he had sold Dorothy a pound of hamburg some time before noon but didn’t notice which way she turned upon leaving his shop. By late afternoon, Mrs. Dennison, thoroughly alarmed, notified the police.

Lieutenant Peale’s investigation report stated that on Monday afternoon, August 19, 1946, at 5:25 p.m., he received the telephone call from Mrs. Dennison at Police Headquarters, and at once took charge of the matter personally. The customary inquiries began and by Wednesday, August 21, a systematic search of all closed or unoccupied buildings in the vicinity was undertaken. It was not until Friday, August 23 at 4:15 p.m., that he and Officer Patrick Sullivan entered the Parsonage and found the premises as represented in the model.

Temperature during that time period ranged from 86 degrees and 92 degrees with high humidity.