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Grace Matt Thompson made headlines in 1934 after murdering her first husband’s second wife. John “Jack” Thompson, the first husband, was an influential mafia man in Kansas City. With his connections he was able to get Grace declared insane so she would not have to stand trial for murder. Soon after entering the asylum, she escaped to New Orleans.
In 1935, Jack heads down to New Orleans to visit Grace and her daughter Dorothy, who was in the habit of calling him “Daddy Jack” despite having been born while Grace was with her second husband. While staying at the Jung Hotel, he dies mysteriously. When questioned about the suspicious death, Grace claimed she never made it to the hotel and was sure someone had killed him for his $500,000 gambling treasure.
Prior to and at the start of her pet cemetery, Grace ran a flower shop on Freret Street, published a gardening book “A Garden Book of Old New Orleans” and played organ for Our Lady of Lourdes Church. A talented pianist with vaudeville roots, she wrote several hymns for a popular hymnal that was used around the country.
Kansas City authorities tracked her down by finding this hymnal. While awaiting trail, she escaped once again. This time, she moved to a more remote area outside of New Orleans called Toca in St Bernard Parish. She purchased some land and an Edwardian home for about $8,000.
In 1948, she opened the E.E. Matt Pet Cemetery. When Missouri authorities track her down again, the Louisiana Governor refuses to send her back.
