Episode 153: The Murder of Maria Buel

On today’s episode, Paul and Kate head to 1832 Ohio to a case that has all sorts of intrigue. A woman goes missing which uncovers a web of relationships, lies, vendettas and a curious old injury. 

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Sources:

Armstrong, Ashley. “History & Hauntings in Northern Appalachia and the Western Reserve.” Drafty Museum. N.d. https://draftymuseum.com/The-Slaying-of-16-Year-Old-Maria-Buel-by-Her-Stepfather-Ira-West-Gardner/#wbb1

Esposito, Gavin. “Discover History at East Gustavus Cemetery.” Truly Trumbull. N.d. https://trulytrumbull.com/we-love-trumbull/discover-history-at-east-gustavus-cemetery/

“Ira West Gardner.” Find A Grave. Memorial Page. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/195061156/ira_west-gardner. Accessed August 11, 2025.

Nieminen, Rebecca S. “Loosely Inspired by the 1832 Murder of Frances Mari Buell.” August 18, 2022. https://storytellerphotographyimagesbyrebecca.com/rebeccanieminenauthor/2022/08/18/loosely-inspired-by-the-1832-murder-of-frances-maria-buell/

Robertson, Kieran. “The Only Man Ever Hanged in Trumbull County: A True Crime Story of the 1830s.” Ohio History Archives. Blog. September 8, 2017. https://www.ohiohistory.org/the-only-man-ever-hanged-in-trumbull-county-a-true-crime-story-of-the-1830s/

“Supreme Court of Ohio, [The State v. Ira West Gardiner.” In Reports of Cases at Law and in Chancery: Decided by the Supreme Court of Ohio, During the Years 1831, 1832,1833, 1834, 392–406. Harvard University Press, 1835.

“The Tragic Story of Frances Maria Buel.” Oddity Acres. February 12, 2025.

Upton, Harriet Taylor. A Twentieth Century History Trumbull County, Ohio: A Narrative Account of Its Historical Progress, Its People, and Its Principal Interests. Vols. 1–2. The University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1909.