Linda Hazzard: The Starvation Doctor and the Tragedy of the Williamson Sisters

A quick note on today's episode: Linda Hazzard's 'treatments' heavily involved extreme fasting and starvation. We want to mention this up front for anyone who might be sensitive to discussions around restrictive diets or disordered eating.

The Rise of the Starvation Doctor

In the early 1900s, a woman named Linda Hazzard built a reputation as a miracle healer in Washington state. Despite having no traditional medical degree, Linda exploited alternative medicine loopholes to become a licensed practitioner. She claimed she could cure almost any illness, from nervous disorders to indigestion, and her treatment was shockingly simple: stop eating completely.

Linda believed that all disease was caused by impure blood, and the only way to cleanse the body was through extreme fasting. Her patients, many of whom were wealthy and influential, were subjected to fasts lasting weeks or even months. As they grew weaker and more disoriented, Linda would persuade them to sign over their finances, properties, and even grant her power of attorney.

The Victims of Starvation Heights

Linda eventually opened a sanitarium in a remote area of Washington, a place locals grimly referred to as "Starvation Heights." The death toll under her care was staggering. Patients like Daisy Haglund, whose son would later found the famous Seattle seafood chain Ivar's, and Blanche Tyndall, a young mother, both died of starvation while under Linda's supervision. Even an infant died after Linda reduced its diet.

Despite the growing number of bodies and concerns from health officials, Linda continued to operate. Because her patients consented to the treatment and she held a license, authorities felt their hands were tied. Linda's confidence and controlling personality kept her patients in line, and her greed kept her targeting the vulnerable.

The Williamson Sisters

The case that finally brought Linda down involved two wealthy British heiresses, Claire Williamson and Dora Williamson. In 1911, the sisters traveled to Seattle to undergo Linda's fasting cure. They were isolated, starved on a diet of thin tomato broth, and subjected to grueling daily enemas. By the time their childhood nanny arrived to check on them, Claire had already died, weighing just 50 pounds, and Dora was severely emaciated and being held captive.

Dora's rescue and the subsequent investigation led to Linda's arrest and a sensational murder trial. Though she was convicted of manslaughter, Linda's story didn't end there. She served a surprisingly short sentence, received a pardon, and continued promoting her deadly fasting treatments until the end of her life.