Murder of Bertha Schippan
At the Towitta Inquest. Detective Fraser completing Mary Schippan's statement. The Coroner is looking tired. Time 7 p.m. | |
| Date | 1 January 1902 |
|---|---|
| Location | Towitta, South Australia |
| Coordinates | 34°30′03.3″S 139°15′45.9″E / 34.500917°S 139.262750°E |
| Type | Murder |
| Motive | Unknown |
| Target | Bertha Schippan |
| First reporter | Mary Schippan |
| Coroner | Mr. Miligan, J.P. |
| Accused | Mary Schippan |
| Verdict | Not guilty |
The murder of Johanne Elizabeth "Bertha" Schippan (January 1888 – 1 January 1902) is an unsolved Australian murder. The victim, the youngest child in a large Wendish family, resided in the South Australian town of Towitta, located approximately 6 km (3.7 mi) west of Sedan. She was murdered on the night of 1 January 1902, at the age of 13. Her 24-year-old sister, Maria “Mary” Auguste (10 Sept 1877 – 4 July 1919), was prosecuted for the crime but was eventually acquitted. Despite various theories, the case remains unsolved and continues to attract media attention.