The Lake Family Murders

PACIFIC JUNCTION, NEW BRUNSWICK

Content Warning: This series includes the death of a young child. Please take care when listening.

One snowy night, a young family fell victim to a terrible accident…. or so it seemed. What really happened to this family - and why - would become fodder for national and international headlines that only got more curious as the investigation progressed.

This two-part series covers a historical case that resulted in the first ever kidnapping trial in the province of New Brunswick and the last double hanging in Canada.

Old Dorchester County Jail
https://dorchesterjail.com

Podcast recommendations:
CBC Podcasts: The No Good, Terribly Kind, Wonderful Lives and Tragic Deaths of Barry and Honey Sherman
Toronto Star: Suspicion | The Billionaire Murders: The hunt for the killers of Honey and Barry Sherman

Canadian True Crime donates monthly to help those facing injustice.

This month we have donated to the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime.

Listen ad-free and early:
CTC premium feeds are available on Amazon Music - included with Prime, Apple Podcasts, Patreon and Supercast. 

Credits:

Research and writing: Eileen Macfarlane
Additional research and writing, sound design: Kristi Lee
Audio editing and production, theme songs: We Talk of Dreams
Production assistance: Jesse Hawke
Script consulting: Carol Weinberg
Disclaimer voiced by Erik Krosby

RESOURCES AND INFORMATION SOURCES

Court Documents:

• Rex v. Bannister, 1936 CanLII 260 (NB CA), <https://canlii.ca/t/gw9qk>

• https://www.canlii.org/en/nb/nbca/doc/1936/1936canlii260/1936canlii260.pdf 

Book:

• Six For the Hangman, BJ Grant, 1983.

News Archives:

• The Sun Times

• “Three believed slain in New Brunswick Fire”, Jan 7, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98640937/

• The Gazette

• “Two more men held in family murder”, Jan 9, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99119213/ 

• “N.B. mass killing mystery ended police say with brothers arrest”, Jan 10, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99119274/ 

• “Infant survivor of NB tragedy believed found in Moncton Home”, Jan 11, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98646527/ 

• “Infant identified and woman held”, Jan 13, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98771508/ 

• “Lawyers maintain right of defence”, Jan 14, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99117492/ 

• “Sister of accused is murder witness”, Jan 16, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99117900/ 

• “Lake murder case stirs new rumors”, Jan 17, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99118002/ 

• “Bail effort fails for Mrs. Bannister”, Jan 18, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99118096/ 

• “Active in murder case”, Jan 20, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99118154/ 

• “Crown finishes tests”, Jan 23, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98646772/ 

• “Resumption today of Bannister case”, Jan 29, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98646856/ 

• “Witness says baby is murdered man’s” Jan 30, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98772170/ 

• “Bannister rifle enters evidence”, Jan 31, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98774634/ 

• “Broken rifle near N.B. murder scene”, Feb 1, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99119294/ 

• “RCMP welcome Bannister probe”, Feb 3, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99124028/ 

• “Says Lake’s brain contained bullet”, Feb 4, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99119160/ 

• “Bannisters’ trial produces clashes”, Feb 5, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99124081/ 

• “Abduction held motive”, Feb 6, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99122855/ 

• “Brothers to face trial for murder”, Feb 7, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99119120/ 

• “RCMP Corporal fully exonerated”, Feb 8, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99122906/ 

• “Witness menaced in kidnapping case”, Feb 11, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98646941/ 

• “Decision reserved in Lake kidnapping”, Feb 12, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98647004/ 

• “Bannister woman is sent to trial”, Feb 14, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98647059/ 

• “New charges face three Bannisters”, Feb 26, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99129354/ 

• “Three Bannisters will stand trial”, Feb 27, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98844792/ 

• “Bannister trials not to be delayed”, Feb 28, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99133053/ 

• “Trial to start today”, Mar 4, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98844873/ 

• “Infant Betty Lake brought to court”, Mar 5, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98844964/ 

• “Questions ignored by Bannister girl”, Mar 6, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98647263/ 

• “Officers describe scene of murder”, Mar 7, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98647340/ 

• “Crown to inquire into police story”, Mar 8, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98831029/ 

• “Lake slaying told in horrible detail”, Mar 9, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98830422/ 

• “Ballistic expert reports findings”, Mar 10, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98830598/ 

• “Bannisters fate with jury today”, Mar 11, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98830781/ 

• “Bannister smiles at guilty verdict” Mar 12, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98831643/ 

• “Doll used as baby charged by crown”, Mar 13, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98831964/ 

• “Jury show strain in Bannister trial”, Mar 14, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98647399/ 

• “Progress is slow in Bannister case”, Mar 16, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98647541/ 

• “Trites testifies in Bannister case” Mar 17, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98832848/ 

• “Threat by woman related to court”, Mar 18, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98832938/ 

• “Bannister woman convicted by jury”, Mar 19, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98833829/ 

• “Third Bannister trial”, Mar 31, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98834220/ 

• “Jurors selected in Bannister case” Apr 1, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98834325/ 

• “Clashes enliven Bannister trial”, Apr 2, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98834581/ 

• “Testimony of girl denied by witness” Apr 3, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98834816/ 

• “Kidnapped infant again identified”, Apr 4, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98834991/ 

• “Daniel Bannister hears fate today”, Apr 6, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98835182/ 

• “Bannister youths sentenced to hang”, Apr 7, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98835529/ 

• “Lake baby is adopted”, Apr 9, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98835768/ 

• “Bannister’s trial reviewed in court” Apr 15, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98837260/ 

• “Leave to appeal asked”, Apr 15, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98837467/ 

• “D Bannister to appeal”, Apr 16, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98837578/ 

• “Hear Bannister appeal”, Apr 16, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98837678/ 

• “Bannister appeal lost”, Apr 25, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98837754/ 

• “D Bannister Appeals”, Apr 29, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98837889/ 

• “Mrs Bannister leaves”, May 5, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98837915/ 

• “Leave to appeal asked”, May 6, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98838020/ 

• “Bannister plea fails”, May 14, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98838239/ 

• “Argument completed”, May 21, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98838336/ 

• “Holds confession valid”, May 21, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98838438/ 

• “Daniel Bannister given second trial”, Jun 3, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98840492/ 

• “Crown not to appeal Bannister’s retrial”, Jun 6, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98840699/ 

• “Asks execution stay”, Jun 10, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98840826/ 

• “A Bannister reprieved”, Jun 12, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98840941/ 

• “Retrial starts today”, Jun 25, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98841038/ 

• “Bannister retried for murder in N.B.”, Jun 26, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98841142/ 

• “Sister is witness in Bannister case”, Jun 27, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98841279/ 

• “Police excluded as girl testifies”, Jun 29, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98841519/ 

• “Probe of murder given in evidence”, Jun 30, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98841663/ 

• “4 doctors testify in Bannister trial”, Jul 1, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98841769/ 

• “Bannister trial nearing its close”, Jul 3, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98841961/ 

• “Legal tussle ends in Bannister case”, Jul 4, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98842124/ 

• “Bannister denies charge of murder”, Jul 6, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98842372/ 

• “Daniel Bannister guilty of murder”, Jul 7, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98842604/ 

• “Appeal for Bannister”, Jul 29, 1936 -
  https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98842838/ 

• “Notice of appeal filed”, Aug 3, 1936 -
  https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98842894/ 

• “Bannister appeal to supreme court”, Aug 26, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98842966/ 

• “Bannister appeal from death denied”, Sept 16, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98843263/ 

• “Abduction is laid to Bannister girl”, Sept 19, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98843458/ 

• “Federal clemency denied Bannisters”, Sept 22, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98843667/ 

• “Prepare for dual hanging”, Sept 22, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98843866/ 

• “Brothers hanged in dorchester jail”, Sept 23, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98843931/ 

• “Frances Bannister faces trial Friday”, Sept 24, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98844305/ 

• “Freedom is given to Bannister girl”, Sept 26, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98844390/ 

• Calgary Herald

• “Reported 4 dead in New Brunswick fire”, Jan 7, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98641046/

• The Montreal Star

• “Second Suspect Hunted In Murder”, Jan 9, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98646203/

• “Cause of tragedy unknown to girl”, Jan 15, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98771682/ 

• “Mrs M Bannister Is Denied Release”, Jan 17, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98771961/ 

• “Counsel attacks police practices”, Jan 31, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99119331/ 

• The Expositor

• “Charged with taking baby”, Jan 21, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98772106/ 

• The Ottawa Journal

• “Baby believed dead is found in N.B. Home”, Jan 11, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98646326/ 

• “Role played by life-size doll of baby who had never existed” Feb 11, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98776152/ 

• “Use photographs to impress jury, Bannister case” Mar 6, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98831465/ 

• Star-Pheonix

• “Brothers executed”, Sept 23, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99198155/ 

• Montreal Star

• “4 of family burn in New Brunswick”, Jan 6th, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98767969/

• “Second suspect hunted in murder”, Jan 9, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98770043/ 

• “Testimony about doll introduced”, Feb 10, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98776104/ 

• “Suspicion raised child imaginary”, Feb 11, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98776044/ 

• The Province

• “Armed Posse Seeks Slayers of Four In New Brunswick”, Jan 7, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98641073/

• “Youth faces charge of murder”, Jan 8, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99119246/ 

• “Missing baby found following murder”, Jan 11, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98771440/ 

• “Weird turn in murder case”, Feb 14, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98647120/ 

• “Held as abductor”, Feb 21, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98647179/ 

• “Two brothers die for N.B. murders”, Sept 23, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99186950/ 

• The Calgary Albertan

• “Suspect Murder As Three Found Dead In New Brunswick”, Jan 7, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98641073/

• “Hold young man in murder probe”, Jan 8, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98641168/

• The Leader-Post

• “Man arrested in N.B. Tragedy”, Jan 8, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98641216/

• “Heard screams, girl testifies in murder case”, Jan 16, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98646717/ 

• “Child cries in odd court case”, Mar 14, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98647455/ 

• The Windsor Star

• “N.B. Deaths Hint Murder”, Jan 7, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98768024/ 

• “Police believe Lake’s babe is safe”, Jan 11, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98646475/ 

• “Says Bannister Carried Rifle”, Jan 31, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98774548/ 

• “Court hears sordid tale” Feb 11, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98775941/ 

• “Pictures are shown jury” Mar 6, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98831185/ 

• “Bannister can’t pray on scaffold”, Sept 23, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99198099/ 

• Times Colonist

• “Three deaths puzzle police”, Jan 11, 1936 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98646610/ 

• The San Francisco Examiner

• https://www.newspapers.com/image/457771952/?terms=%22frances%20bannister%22&match=1

• El Paso Times

• https://www.newspapers.com/image/433232941/?terms=%22may%20bannister%22 

• Omaha Sunday Bee

• https://www.newspapers.com/image/743005462/?terms=%22may%20bannister%22&match=1  

Online Ancestry Records:

• Marie Bannister: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/220991013/marie-glorina-trites

• Frances Bannister: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/170796324/frances-bannister

• May Bannister (Rosanna May Bannister): https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/231609387/rosanna-may-bannister

• Bertha’s marriage to Marshall Ring: https://archives.gnb.ca/Search/VISSE/141B7.aspx?culture=en-CA&guid=E0D11259-8BFC-4223-86FC-5605951E3B14

• Other information comes from Ancestry.ca subscription

Other online sources:

• Westmorland Historical Society Newsletter, Vol 54, Issue 3, Sept, 2019 - NEWSLETTER

• https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/lbrr/archives/rcmp-rrcmp-1937-eng.pdf

• PERSONS SENTENCED TO DEATH IN CANADA, 1867-1976: An Inventory of Case Files in the Fonds of the Department

• A “backwoods tragedy”: The Bannister Brothers and Capital Punishment in New Brunswick, 1936 | Acadiensis 

• Old Dorchester County Jail

• https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/24179181?source_impression_id=p3_1679423017_1F4bJiZXzVwsTQPL 

• DORCHESTER JAIL B&B - Prices & Hostel Reviews (New Brunswick) 

• Toronto man buys notorious Dorchester, N.B. jail - New Brunswick | Globalnews.ca. 

Music credits:

Theme Song and other original music: We Talk of Dreams

Blue Dot Sessions: Cold War Echo, Roadside Bunkhouse, Pigeon Falls, Our Names Engraved, Minister Creek, Fissure Forming, Access Road 138, Uncertain Ground, Lone Elm, Roadside Bunkhouse, An Unknown Visitor - Minimal, Evidence Room, The Coal Hollow

Kai Engel: Chance

Sergey Cheremisinov: Lucerna