The Janet Smith Case

Janet Smith was a nursemaid for a wealthy family in Shaughnessy in 1924. She was shot through the temple while ironing in the laundry room of the home. Originally thought to be suicide, it was later determined to be murder. The case was thrown out for lack of evidence.

Janet Smith was born in 1902 in Scotland, moving to London at age 11. In January 1923, she obtained a nursemaid position looking after the newborn daughter of Doreen and Frederick Baker. Frederick ran an import-export business, thus moved frequently; in April it was Paris, then to Vancouver in October.

The Bakers were considered socialites, residing in Shaughnessy at 3851 Osler (home of Baker’s brother). The “houseboy” employed at the home was a 26-year-old Hong Kong native named Wong Foon Sing. Soon after the family’s arrival, he was alleged to have become smitten with Smith, often leaving her gifts.

On July 26, 1924, Frederick Baker called police (Point Grey Police having jurisdiction for the area south of 16th Ave), after receiving a phone call from Wong that something was wrong with “Nursie.” Wong had heard what sounded like a car backfire, saw nothing outside and ventured to the basement, finding Smith’s body on the laundry room floor. She had been shot through the temple; a .45 caliber revolver near her right hand.

Constable James Green, a 17-year police officer* was the first on the scene. He attended the victim and initiated his investigation. Smith was lying on her back, and had clearly been ironing before her death. The iron was by her side having caused some burns and was still warm. Unfortunately, Cst. Green picked up the gun and obliterated any usable prints that may have been present. Indications at the scene described no blood or tissue spatter, no powder burns, nor any bullets. Green concluded that Smith had committed suicide. The body was taken away and embalmed without autopsy. At the inquest, the Vancouver coroner called it a “self-inflicted but accidental death.”

Smith was buried at Mountain View Cemetery.

Due to political pressure, the case was re-opened, a second inquest demanded and the body exhumed. The verdict: murder. Poor Wong became the most available suspect; being the only other adult in the house at the time of Smith’s death, he was subsequently portrayed as her killer through the social media of the day. There was a considerable racist undertone to this entire event.

March 20, 1925, Wong was kidnapped by a group dressed as Ku Klux Klan. They tortured Wong for six weeks, but Wong did not confess to any crime. He was released on May 1st.

Scandal ensued, the kidnappers allegedly included the Point Grey Police Chief (HJ Simpson), a Detective Sergeant, three prominent Scottish Society officials and two Point Grey Police commissioners. One man pleaded guilty to kidnapping. A private detective and his son were convicted, but the jury recommended mercy. The Point Grey police were acquitted, and Crown was ordered not to proceed against the others.

Wong was tried for murder, but the case was thrown out due to lack of evidence. Wong continued to work for the Bakers until 1926, when he left Canada for Hong Kong.

Theories surrounding this case abounded but were never proved: Smith had been raped / murdered by prominent men at a house party; Baker was a drug-smuggler and subsequently Smith’s killer; and even the Prince of Wales was implicated.

*JE Green had served 8 years with Vancouver Police, 5 years with BC Provincial Police as Chief Detective and 4 years with Point Grey Police by the time of this investigation.

• Constable James Green was suspended then dismissed for dereliction of duty. He later became part-owner of the Princeton Hotel (1901 Powell Street). He passed away April 8, 1949, and is buried at Mountain View.
• Chief Hugh James Simpson resigned on May 2, 1925, and passed away November 15, 1928; buried at Burnaby Heritage Cemetery (Masonic).
• Chief John Murdock/Murdoch succeeded Simpson in that position. Upon amalgamation with Vancouver Police, he was ranked as Inspector (later VPD DCC, Acting Chief and back to Inspector). He passed November 7, 1939, and is buried at Burnaby Heritage Cemetery (Masonic).

 

The following article is from Tom Barrett’s story in the Vancouver Sun, April 27, 2001, pages 14-15.

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