Home → Rainey Bethea

Rainey Bethea

1909-10-16 – 1936-08-14 Convicted 1936

Buried at: Rosehill Elmwood Cemetery , Owensboro, KY · Rosehill Elmwood Cemetery (public; unmarked pauper grave)

Criminal History (Public Record)

Convicted of the rape and murder of 70-year-old Lischia Edwards in Owensboro. Confessed; tried and convicted on rape charge (capital at the time); the murder was part of the case.

Background

Rainey Bethea (c. 1909–1936) was the last person publicly executed in the United States. He was hanged in Owensboro, Kentucky, on August 14, 1936, before a crowd of thousands. His body was buried in a pauper's grave in the public cemetery against family wishes.

Sources & Verification

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/11846303/rainey-bethea
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainey_Bethea
Contemporary accounts: Louisville Courier-Journal and national wire reports on the last public hanging in the U.S. (August 1936)
Daviess County historical records; body taken to pauper's grave at Rosehill Elmwood Cemetery (public)

All information on this site is drawn from publicly available records. We strongly recommend verifying directly with the cemetery and primary sources before making any decisions.

⚠ Proximity Warning within ~5 miles

The following other flagged graves were found near this location:

Rainey Bethea

Rosehill Elmwood Cemetery · ~1.53 miles away

Rainey Bethea

Rosehill Elmwood Cemetery · ~1.53 miles away

Distances are approximate using the Haversine formula. Always confirm exact plot locations with the cemetery office.

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