Agatha Christie's baffling 1926 disappearance revealed
The disappearance of Agatha Christie in 1926 shook Great Britain. Thousands of people set out to search for her, and the mystery of the writer's disappearance remains intriguing to this day. The "Queen of Crime" passed away on January 12, 1976.
Agatha Christie, known worldwide as a master of crime novels, gained popularity thanks to characters like Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. The writer, whose books have sold billions of copies, left her home one December day in 1926 and disappeared, quickly becoming the number one topic in British media.
Information about the disappearance of the 36-year-old Agatha Christie spread rapidly. Although she had not yet reached the peak of her career, even then her works were highly regarded. It's no surprise, then, that the extensive search efforts drew the attention of not only the police but also thousands of volunteers.
An incident that shocked England
Everything began on December 3, 1926. Agatha Christie left her estate in Styles, Berkshire, said goodbye to her daughter Rosalind, and ventured into the unknown. Her car was later found by the roadside, further fueling media speculation and interest. According to theories, personal and mental issues might have been the reasons for such behavior.
Not long before, Christie had completed the novel "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd," which received excellent reviews. The author's disappearance caused a sensation and sparked the imagination of both journalists and the public.
Intensive search and finding of Mrs. "Neele"
More than 15,000 people got involved in the search, combing through forests and lakes. Even airplanes joined the effort. After 11 days, a breakthrough occurred: Agatha Christie was spotted at the Swan Hydropathic Hotel in Harrogate, about 300 miles from her home.
The writer checked in under the name Theresa Neele, likely a deliberate action, as Neele was the surname of her husband's lover. Why did she take such a step? It was suspected to be an act of revenge against her partner. Christie herself couldn't explain why she remained out of contact for so long. The entire story remains shrouded in mystery to this day and has inspired many books and films.
