Photograph was edited for publication purposes. Darby Day Jr. and Bernice Lundstrom were from Chicago. He was the son of the wealthy head of the Life Insurance Underwriter's Association and she was a 21 year-old divorcee looking for another husband. They met in 1924, married and moved to Beverly Hills, California to escape the cold Chicago winters. Her family and his mother also moved to Beverly Hills. Lundstrom grew demanding and erratic in the marriage, insisting on a separate home for herself and threatening suicide. In February, 1925, Lundstrom threw nitric acid into Day's face at his home. The acid permanently damaged his face and he lost vision in one eye. Lundstrom was later arrested and stood trial. Defense experts claimed she had the mind of a ten-year-old, but when the jury saw the gruesome photos of Day's injuries, she was convicted and sentenced to 1 to 14 years. Her appeal was denied and she was sent to San Quentin Prison in Northern California in August, 1926. Day divorced her in December, 1926. Shocking those who knew him, Day made a plea to the Gorvernor to pardon Lundstrom, but he was denied. She served 14 months and was out by the end of 1927. Day died in Santa Monica, California on February 4, 1928 during surgery to remove an abdominal abcess. First photograph caption dated December 10, 1926 reads "Wealthy Darby A. Day jr., who is granted a divorce in Chicago from Bernice Lundstrom Day of Los Angeles, will seek to obtain the release of his ex-wife from San Quentin prison, where she is serving a 14-year-term for hurling acid in his face, but says they won't remarry." Day is seated with his hands folded in his lap. He has undergone reconstructive surgery, but scars from the acid can still be seen.; Second photograph caption dated June 16, 1927 reads "Here is young Day, who faces this new love row on the heels of his divorce from his 'acid bride.' He is reported on his way to his rich family's Beverly Hills home."; Third photograph caption dated February 6, 1928 reads "The death of Darby Day Jr. closes the drama of his romance with his 'acid bride,' Bernice Lindstrom Day. Day divorced her when she was sentenced to San Quentin for hurling acid in his face."
Type
image
Format
1 photographic print :b&w ;32 x 22 cm. Photographic prints
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