Special - Who put Bella in the Witch Elm?

In this special extended episode, Dr. Fi unravels one of Britain’s most haunting unsolved

mysteries. In 1943, the skeletal remains of a woman were found hidden inside a hollow

wych elm in Hagley Wood.

No one knew who she was.

No one came forward.

Months later, graffiti began to appear: “Who put Bella in the Witch Elm?”

Was she a witch?

A spy?

A wartime scapegoat?

Or the victim of an ancient ritual?

We explore the facts, theories, and metaphysical whispers that surround the case — from

occult symbolism to Nazi espionage, psychic imprints, and the strange persistence of her

name in public memory.

References & Further Reading:

•Byford-Jones, W. – Murder at Hagley Wood

•Hutton, R. – The Triumph of the Moon

•Bella in the Wych Elm: A Witchcraft Murder Mystery – West Midlands Police files

•Uncanny – BBC Sounds (Bella referenced in multiple episodes)

•MI5 Files – National Archives (Clara Bauerle, Josef Jakobs)

•Margaret Murray – The Witch-Cult in Western Europe

Special thanks to our reporter Jenn Bayliff who researched and collected most of the evidence and source material used in this episode.