Doppelgänger Death
In the suitably named town of Climax, Michigan, Truthahol has uncovered a bizarre and worrisome case. Climax appears a common enough American town, complete with the old fashioned mainstreet, an aging courthouse, and the other accoutrements of any-town-USA—but Truthahol has uncovered a strange secret. Longtime resident Donald Smith faced off with an unlikely foe here: himself.
Donald Smith, the main player in this tale, was unavailable for comment, though researchers were able to piece together his role from local police and court documents. Thanks to tireless record keepers under town and county employ, the Donald Smith of August 29th, 1988 can tell his tale for us.
During the late 80’s, Donald worked as a farm hand in his Uncle’s cornfields and blueberry orchards. Neighbors say he was a nice and quiet man who kept to himself; his uncle always said Donald was a hard worker. Donald had graduated from the consolidated high school that spring and was planning to attend Michigan State University in the fall to study agriculture. But on that hot, fateful, August evening, calamity found Donald.
Walking back to his Uncle’s farmhouse from a back acreage, Donald noticed another man walking towards him. It was late in the day, and a weary Donald couldn’t make out the man’s features in the failing light. But the small path soon brought them together and Donald staggered at what he saw. Coming up that path, Donald saw himself walking toward him, with the same tired gait as his.
Whether form instinct alone, or remembering his German grandmother’s tale of a doppelgänger’s sure omen of death, Donald attacked the man. According to Donald’s account, the man was initially surprised, but he soon fought back viciously. The two wrestled for a long time, roiling off the path into a cornfield, but eventually Donald gained an advantage on his opponent and successfully strangled him to death.
Donald returned to his uncle’s home, and told the family what he had done. Donald’s uncle called the police, who responded immediately and went out to the field where Donald had left the body. Buddy Handol, the upstanding police chief, admitted the body resembled Donald at an “uncanny, and disturbing level.” Donald was initially arrested on the charge of murder, but shortly released when finger print evidence proved the dead man was actually Donald.
The term doppelgänger, literally German for “double-goer,” is used to describe the seeing of one’s own self in a way that cannot possibly be a reflection. It is often an especially bad omen of death. Recent scientific studies on the subject suggest a neurological disorder, mental disorder, or a mistaken glance to be the cause of most doppelgänger sightings. Donald Smith’s doppelgänger, however, is not explained by any of these scientific attempts.
After Donald’s release, local Climax officials attempted to cover up the incident. Aware that no conviction would stick (killing one’s double is not a crime in Michigan) Buddy Handol released live Donald and buried the double in the cemetery (without marking the grave). All police documents, local paper stories, and court proceedings concerning the event were destroyed—except, thankfully, for the copies dutifully filed away in the town archive room at the public library—and the people of Climax attempted to return to their normal lives.
But what about Donald Smith’s prophesied death? Maybe killing one’s doppelgänger forestalls the prediction of death. Donald is still alive to this day and appears to have beaten his death warnings. Or perhaps the doppelgänger was the successful man in the in the field that day, and Donald Smith died and was buried long ago.
Donald Smith, the main player in this tale, was unavailable for comment, though researchers were able to piece together his role from local police and court documents. Thanks to tireless record keepers under town and county employ, the Donald Smith of August 29th, 1988 can tell his tale for us.
During the late 80’s, Donald worked as a farm hand in his Uncle’s cornfields and blueberry orchards. Neighbors say he was a nice and quiet man who kept to himself; his uncle always said Donald was a hard worker. Donald had graduated from the consolidated high school that spring and was planning to attend Michigan State University in the fall to study agriculture. But on that hot, fateful, August evening, calamity found Donald.
Walking back to his Uncle’s farmhouse from a back acreage, Donald noticed another man walking towards him. It was late in the day, and a weary Donald couldn’t make out the man’s features in the failing light. But the small path soon brought them together and Donald staggered at what he saw. Coming up that path, Donald saw himself walking toward him, with the same tired gait as his.
Whether form instinct alone, or remembering his German grandmother’s tale of a doppelgänger’s sure omen of death, Donald attacked the man. According to Donald’s account, the man was initially surprised, but he soon fought back viciously. The two wrestled for a long time, roiling off the path into a cornfield, but eventually Donald gained an advantage on his opponent and successfully strangled him to death.
Donald returned to his uncle’s home, and told the family what he had done. Donald’s uncle called the police, who responded immediately and went out to the field where Donald had left the body. Buddy Handol, the upstanding police chief, admitted the body resembled Donald at an “uncanny, and disturbing level.” Donald was initially arrested on the charge of murder, but shortly released when finger print evidence proved the dead man was actually Donald.
The term doppelgänger, literally German for “double-goer,” is used to describe the seeing of one’s own self in a way that cannot possibly be a reflection. It is often an especially bad omen of death. Recent scientific studies on the subject suggest a neurological disorder, mental disorder, or a mistaken glance to be the cause of most doppelgänger sightings. Donald Smith’s doppelgänger, however, is not explained by any of these scientific attempts.
After Donald’s release, local Climax officials attempted to cover up the incident. Aware that no conviction would stick (killing one’s double is not a crime in Michigan) Buddy Handol released live Donald and buried the double in the cemetery (without marking the grave). All police documents, local paper stories, and court proceedings concerning the event were destroyed—except, thankfully, for the copies dutifully filed away in the town archive room at the public library—and the people of Climax attempted to return to their normal lives.
But what about Donald Smith’s prophesied death? Maybe killing one’s doppelgänger forestalls the prediction of death. Donald is still alive to this day and appears to have beaten his death warnings. Or perhaps the doppelgänger was the successful man in the in the field that day, and Donald Smith died and was buried long ago.