(couch squeaking) Welcome back to "Mysteries of the Mind," a true crime podcast hosted by myself,
Preston Knight-- --and me, Daphne St. Clair.
Today we dive even deeper into the story of "Doctor Love," a psychiatrist at a rural
Philadelphia asylum in the 50s who ran away with a patient-- --due to their illicit affair.
Our favorite detective, Daphne, managed to get her hands on never before seen records, previously thought to be lost to history.
We're unveiling Doctor Love, a.k.a. Doctor Burnett, and her patient-turned-lover, Hazel, and how their relationship came to be.
Last time on "Mysteries of the Mind," we covered Hazel's new diagnosis, emotionally unstable personality disorder-- --not to mention their first date.
Today we'll see what drove them to run away together-- --as we go further into their psyches and the relationship of Doctor Love.
Stay tuned!
Maya Appavoo presents,
Doctor Love. An audio drama.
Episode Five: "Hot Water."
A full list of themes, topics, and content warnings can be found in the episode description. (Preston sips water) Alright, hello, let's get into it.
This is our favorite segment, we like to call it "Mindful Musings."
We take questions from you guys, you know, you've left us from all corners of the internet, and answer them right here!
Alright, starting us off, we have a question from Logan, one of our Patreon supporters, who asked, "Love the show!
I'm a bit of a newer viewer, so I'm curious to know if there's a reason why Preston doesn't read up on the materials before the episode?"
Um, yeah... Thank you, Logan!
There's actually a couple reasons for this.
Yeah, you know, a good part of it is that I edit our episodes, so, you know, usually while I'm cleaning up our audio and cutting things together,
Daphne is doing her reading on the issues.
Mhm. So, we've found that we like podcasts where each person is bringing a different expertise to the table, you know, it feels more dynamic.
So I come to the table with the case, and Preston gets to learn what's going on for the first time alongside you guys, and then I get to learn about psychology.
Yeah, you know, I think it feels more equal this way. For sure.
All right, moving on.
Our next question is from another Patreon supporter, Gea.
I'm sorry if I butchered your name, Gea, but he said, "This podcast is so interesting,
I think hearing your perspectives is so enriching to the cases you study.
I particularly liked the breakdowns of personality disorders last session.
Drop your book recommendations, Preston." (Daphne chuckles) Well, thank you, Gea.
I agree,
I think the personality disorder breakdown last time was very insightful, Preston.
Thank you, thank you. Yeah, um, for book recommendations?
Yeah, I think I'll put a short list of my favorites on our Patreon, whenever I get a chance.
So if you're interested in that, go subscribe. Alright, and last question?
Alright, and our last question is also from a Patreon member.
Yeah, there was a lot of good discussion over on our Patreon last week. For sure, for sure. Alright, this one's from Arthur, who asked, "Hey, Daphne and Preston, love the podcast.
I'm wondering if we know why Doctor Burnett was recording all of these romantic moments
If they were breaking the rules?"
Yeah, Daphne, would you like to speak to this one?
Yes, for sure.
So, my understanding is that the hospital required sessions to be recorded for the doctor to be able to go back and reference.
But the hospital didn't have the capacity to listen to all of those tapes because, like, that's all they'd ever do if they did.
So I think Doctor Burnett was recording tapes to sort of--
Yeah, she was hiding in plain sight.
Yeah.
You know that saying, don't do something illegal while doing something illegal?
Yep. I think that's what was going on.
I mean, either that, or, I mean, like,
I like to think that Doctor Burnett wanted to be able to maybe take these, one day, like, as mementos to her and Hazel's love story.
Oh, like, you know, but, you know, probably, probably the first thing. Yeah.
Well, that's it for
Mindful Musings today.
Mindful musings.
Moving on,
I have something
I think you'll be very interested in, Preston. Yes?
As you may recall,
Doctor Burnett snuck Hazel out of the hospital for a little birthday ice cream date. Mhm.
So, she got into some hot water for that.
And I don't have a recording of that meeting, but it was a formal warning, so I guess they kept a transcript.
Would you like to do a dramatic reading with me?
Oh, absolutely, I would. (handing out paper) Here's your copy...
All righty. Thanks. (paper rustling) Okay. 00:06:0 Yep.
Okay, so, Doctor Jackson, who Preston will read for, was on the, like, executive board for the hospital.
Coincidentally, perhaps, it was also his family that had these records. Interesting.
Okay. Yeah. Whenever you're ready. (Preston clears throat, exhales) "Doctor Burnett, do you know why I called you in today?" "No, doctor." "I'll get right to it then.
We noticed Mrs. Finley was taken on an outing on April 24th for three hours.
Would you like to explain?" "Mrs. Finley is entitled to two supervised outings per year." "Yes, subject to approval." "I approved it." "You were not the doctor on duty on April 24th.
You explicitly requested a personal day, then came in and took a patient one in isolation due to a history of sudden and violent outbursts, out on an unapproved outing.
No paperwork was completed to approve this outing." "It was done for her benefit.
Nurse Amelia and I have noted significant improvements in behavior when Mrs.
Finley is permitted to explore the courtyard." "That is not your call to make when you are not working, Doctor Burnett.
Willow Waters has done you a massive favor, by allowing you the opportunity to prove yourself and your sex.
I would hate to see you squander that opportunity." "Yes, doctor." "This warning will go in your file.
I hope to never need to issue another, Doctor Burnett." "Yes, Doctor Jackson." (paper rustling) Okay, so
I feel validated in my theory that Doctor Burnett had something to prove. Mhm, for sure.
I mean, you were right, Daphne,
I think this is just utterly fascinating.
Doctor Burnett getting caught was not on my bingo card, to be honest.
You know, I think she handled that well, though, you know, she stood up for herself the best she could.
Yeah, Doctor Jackson was clearly threatening her, and once he made that clear, she complied.
Yeah, I think that was smart. I agree.
I don't know what else she could have done in that moment, but I think it's clear that she didn't care for the warning.
Yeah, and I mean, that does bring me back to that obsessive compulsive thing.
I think it's fair to say that she has a bit of tunnel vision forming at this point. Maybe, yeah.
Um, but anyway, before we go ahead and take a break,
I want to talk a bit about the plan for the rest of today's episode.
I'm going to jump us around a bit chronologically, so, when we're back, we'll hear a news radio clip from after Hazel and Burnett went missing. Interesting.
We'll be back in just a moment.
Good evening.
This is Martin Moores with your five o'clock news.
Tonight, we start with a special alert for all Pennsylvanians.
A psychiatrist and an asylum patient have gone missing.
Doctor Burnett was a psychiatrist at an asylum outside of Philadelphia, notably their first female doctor.
Her patient, Hazel Mary Finley, was a case of particular interest, as sources have told us.
They have disappeared, leaving a trail of paperwork that authorities say is illegitimate.
We have a statement from Doctor
Robert Jackson, board executive from the hospital where Mrs.
Finley was a patient, and Doctor Burnett was employed. (cameras flashing) Doctor Jackson! (overlapping shouting)
Please rest assured that we are taking this matter very seriously. (camera flashing)
Mrs. Finley and Doctor Burnett are not armed or dangerous, and we are working with the police to ensure that we're able to locate them promptly.
We will not be reopening until this matter is resolved and the investigation is closed.
Thank you.
No questions at this time. (cameras flashing, overlapping shouting)
The hospital is halting its transition from a psychiatric facility to a nursing home until Mrs. Finley and Doctor Burnett are found.
Pennsylvanians are being asked by authorities to keep an eye out.
Doctor Burnett is around 34, wears square glasses and-- (click)
So, the news clip we just heard was from 1954, broadcasted right after Doctor Burnett and Hazel ran away together.
You know, I noticed they never said the name of the asylum.
No, I guess the executives paid off the press in an attempt to try to mitigate the fallout, so that they could quietly deal with this and reopen as soon as possible.
Hmm. Yeah. Yeah.
It's interesting to hear what the fallout was. (paper rustling) Yeah, I agree, but before I get too deep into that
I'd like to read you an entry from Doctor Burnett's journal.
So, this is from the same day in May 1952 that she had that meeting with Doctor Jackson. Sure. "Having spoken to Doctor Jackson,
I have--
I have some concerns about Hazel's care.
I wonder about my career here, and if they are willing to continue supporting it.
I worry about what would happen to Hazel were I to accept a position elsewhere.
I cannot leave her fate to chance.
It was all too easy to remove her from the premises without alerting anyone right away. (pages rustling)
Oh. Oh, wow.
Seems to imply that she wants to take Hazel for another outing
That's a little more permanent, right?
It does, It does, and I think there's something truly committed, as well, about Doctor Burnett's concern for Hazel's fate.
She doesn't seem to express that concern for her other patients.
Well, she's not in love with her other patients. I suppose not.
Now,
I think it's been too long without actually hearing Doctor Burnett and Hazel, so let's do that.
This next clip is from about a week and a half after the ice cream date. (click)
How are you, today, Hazel?
I'm worried about you.
Nurse Amelia said you couldn't come in yesterday because there was... something going on.
She wouldn't say what.
I... got in a little trouble.
They weren't impressed
I'd taken you out for the afternoon last week.
Oh, no, I'm sorry.
I didn't mean to be a bother.
You're not a bother, Hazel.
I made a decision, and I stand by it.
It was worth it.
Hazel? (Hazel sobs)
Oh, Hazel. (crying)
It's okay. (crying)
You got in shit and it's all my fault.
It's all right.
I'm not in big trouble, it was just a slap on the wrist. (sniffling) So what do we do?
Do we have to stop?
No, no no no no, Hazel, of course not.
I'd never let that happen.
We'll just have to lay low for a bit.
It's not your fault.
They're looking for reasons to discredit me because they don't believe a woman should practice medicine. (sniffing)
It's all going to be all right.
Nobody can keep us apart, okay? I won't let them.
But they did.
Sometimes you have to be strategic.
Best they can do is, what, a few days?
And here I am, right? (sniffles) Right. Okay.
Come here. (hugging)
I love you.
I'll keep you safe, I promise. (click) (Daphne squeals) Oh my God, they're so sweet together.
Yeah, it definitely does feel as though Doctor Burnett is able to calm Hazel down, in a way that we saw she couldn't early on in their doctor-patient relationship.
I think
Hazel just needed to be genuinely loved and cared for, and, and nurtured in order to be able to like, you know, chill out a bit, or to let someone else help her chill out.
It's not unheard of. Anyway,
I think it's just... (exhales) such a beautiful declaration of love.
Like, I'm here for you,
I'll protect you, I'll fight for you.
Oh, it's just so touching.
Uh huh, yeah.
I wonder what the long term effects of this will be on Hazel's mental health, you know? Like, like, like if this is the kind of support that she needs consistently,
Or if this is just kind of a Band-Aid.
Um, well, Hazel did have a small episode shortly after this.
I don't, like,
I don't have audio of it because the tape is very corrupted.
Oh, wait, can we-- can we hear it?
Sure.
Um, just give me one second... (laptop clicknig)
Okay, found it. (click) (screaming, then static) (click) Yeah, it's... not a pleasant sounding tape.
I do have Doctor Burnett’s notes about it somewhere here... (laptop clicking) "Hazel had an outburst during our session today.
This was prompted by a disruption to her routine, and was easily resolved through de-escalation and follow up care and therapy."
I mean, that's not very descriptive.
No, it's not, but, I mean, it gets the point across.
It-- she had an outburst and then she calmed down.
Well, I mean, you need more context if you wanted to try to get to the root of the issue--
Which I'm sure Doctor Burnett did.
I mean, there's a couple more sentences there, but they're completely illegible because-- Doctor handwriting. (chuckling) Yeah.
Anyway, let's move on because there's another news clip
I'd like to show you.
So, this one is from after they went missing in 1954.
It's a news interview with Hazel's Aunt Margaret, who lived in West Virginia on a homestead, and hadn't been in contact with Hazel in years. (click)
Good evening, and thank you for tuning in to the seven o'clock news.
I'm Helen Carter, and with me today is Margaret Baker, the aunt of Hazel
Mary Finley, a woman institutionalized in Pennsylvania who recently went missing along with her psychiatrist, Doctor Audrey Ann Burnett.
Mrs. Finley was released from the facility after her discharge papers received a signature from her aunt, who claims she's never seen the papers.
Ms. Baker, how did you find out about all of this?
Well, Helen,
I found out when the cops came knocking at my door, asking if I'd seen my niece.
I told them no,
I hadn't seen her since her wedding.
They showed me my name on some papers I'd never seen before, and a signature that look nothing like mine.
Well, I showed them some of my legal documents to show them it couldn't have been my signature, and I told them again
I-- I hadn't even known where Hazel was.
That certainly sounds disturbing.
It was.
I had no idea
I was supposed to be Hazel's guardian.
Truthfully, I didn't know where she was or what had become of her.
My brother and parents passed years ago, and I'd heard through the grapevine that Hazel's husband had died in the war, but I hadn't received any correspondence.
Very disconcerting indeed.
Is there any legal action being taken?
I've been cooperating with the authorities, but, to be frank,
I don't know who I'm supposed to be fighting myself.
I'm not sure if Hazel said
I was her guardian, or if her doctor had done so, or the hospital.
I hope she's all right, but I doubt I'll ever hear from her again. (click)
Wow, that's... I mean, like... so paperwork was forged.
I mean, this wasn't just a regular outing they never came back from.
No, Doctor Burnett was much smarter about it.
You know, I don't know if it was smarter.
I mean, this implicates her criminally, whereas if they just left and never returned, it could be assumed that they were involved in a horrible accident.
Yes, but it also could have been assumed that Hazel had had a violent outburst and that-- that had-- and she'd been, like, criminally responsible.
So this was Doctor Burnett doing what she said she'd do.
Protect Hazel.
Hmm... yeah, I don't know.
Well, think on it, while I play us a clip from another session.
We're going to skip ahead a few months, because, honestly, most of their sessions after this are them chatting and sharing stories, and while it's very cute,
I want to get to the juicy stuff.
This is early 1953.
I'm just going to plop us in partway through their conversation. (click)
I couldn't handle the texture the old ones got after a while.
They get clumpy, which makes it hard to manipulate the paints on the paper, but also if it touches your skin, it feels slimy, which makes me want to vomit.
So Nurse Amelia brought in some new paints for me, which is very kind of her.
That is very kind of her.
Can I see the painting you did? (paper flipping)
I tried doing a still life of that cola bottle you brought me the other day.
That's beautiful, Hazel.
You think so? Yes.
You're very talented.
You could be a famous artist one day.
Oh, thank you, Audrey. (kiss)
So, how have you been feeling?
What do you mean?
You've been feeling calm?
Peaceful?
What's going on?
I don't want to upset you.
Tell me, please.
Nurse Amelia and I heard whispers of this last year, but I didn't think it was anything serious.
Psychiatric hospitals are slowly being phased out.
No... Willow Waters is going to be converted into a nursing home. No, no, no, they can't.
They can't do that to me.
They can't-- they can't do that to us.
They can't, they can't, they can't-- Hazel, (hyperventilating) It's going to be okay.
They can't, they can't, they can't--
You're going to faint.
I don't care, I don't--
They can't-- I don't know--
Audrey. (tight hug)
I'm scared,
I don't know,
I don't know-- It's okay, don't be afraid,
I'll keep you sa-- (struggling)
No, no no no no, you can't-- you can't-- Hazel--
You can't! (struggling)
Hazel, take a deep breath-- ow. Hazel, take a deep breath.
It'll be okay.
I'm here.
I'm right here. (click)
So, what did you think of that,
Preston?
I thought that was sad.
I feel really awful for Hazel.
She's basically being told she's going to be evicted, and before she's evicted, she's not going to have the opportunity to, like, get a job and save some money.
That's terrifying, especially for a woman without any family.
You know, again, I've...
I'm thinking about what this is doing to her head.
She's demonstrated a complete lack of adaptability, and this is a huge change for her.
I feel like we can expect more of these outbursts.
Hmm. I have...
Um, I have a journal entry of hers that I think you'll enjoy.
Alright, sure. (laptop clicks) "I don't know what is going to become of me.
Audrey says that everything will work out, and I'll land on my feet, but I can't help but feel stuck.
Nobody has given me a plan, nobody has told me what to expect.
I have nothing to my name, aside from my diagnosis, which feels like a debt rather than an asset.
I don't know what to do to make sure I end up okay. Is this it for me?"
I mean, she's catastrophizing, which isn't particularly helpful.
No, but what else can you do?
She's stuck in a padded room with furniture bolted to the ground, with a sippy cup of water, and a journal.
I mean, she could have, I don't know, talked to one of the higher ups.
Figured out what the plan is.
I mean, do we even know if her husband left her anything?
No, we don't.
Well, I mean, presumably, anything he left her, the hospital would be able to hand over to her upon discharging her.
And if there's nothing for her, that's, you know, when you get into contact with social services and figure out what programs are there for you.
That's all a nice idea, but I'm not sure how many social programs there were for people like Hazel in those days.
Hmm. You know, I just think that this is, maybe, more of that emotionally unstable diagnosis
Doctor Burnett had given her-- I mean, like, you know, had she given that diagnosis?
Yes, after the ice cream date, Doctor Burnett did give her that diagnosis.
Sorry, I forgot to add that clip to today's materials. No, yeah, no worries. I'm just... (sigh)
You know, I think that this is sort of the thing that landed her with that diagnosis.
You know, she can't regulate her thoughts or feelings. Well she's panicked.
Yeah, but,
I mean, she can't calm herself down.
I guess so, yeah.
I mean, maybe that's why she feels ill-equipped for the real world.
She just can't regulate.
Well, on that note, would you like to hear the next clip?
Yeah, absolutely. Go for it. (click) (walking, then sitting down)
How are you feeling today, Hazel?
You forgot your notebook.
I don't want to take notes,
I want to help you right now.
I'm scared.
I don't know what's going to happen.
I don't like that.
It's so... uncomfortable.
I feel like I'm hovering, and
I can't see a stable place to land.
I've never known a life without someone taking care of me.
First it was my parents, then my grandparents, then Charles, then Doctor Green, then you. And it'll still be me.
But what if it isn't?
What if you can't take me with you?
There's nobody who can sign me out, and there's no way I'm well enough to leave, even if there were.
There's nothing for me out there either.
Charles's parents sold our house.
I have nowhere to go, nobody to go to.
I can't be on my own--
Hazel, slow down.
Take a breath.
There's no time-- There's months.
Take a breath. (slow inhale and exhale)
I have a plan.
What?
I have a plan.
I know the ins and outs of the administration.
We will make the papers work,
I will leave with you, wherever you go,
I'm by your side.
We will get you to a better place, okay?
We will get your head right, but I need you to work with me.
Tell me what the plan is.
I can't tell you everything, not yet.
But we'll work together.
We'll escape here together.
We'll use the hospital's transition to our advantage.
They'll want to transfer you elsewhere, to another psychiatric hospital, and we'll find an opportunity there to get you out.
I'll take care of you.
We can finally be together, just the two of us, for as long as we live.
Do you trust me?
Okay.
I don't--
I don't like the uncertainty of this.
I want to know whatever I can.
I know you do, but there's a lot of strings to pull, and if I say it out loud and anyone hears me, it could ruin everything.
Do you trust me?
Yes,
I do.
That's all I need.
We'll figure this out together, Hazel,
I promise.
Thank you. (hugging)
Anything for you. (click)
Okay, yeah, so...
Alright, first off,
Doctor Burnett seems to imply there that Hazel is getting transferred to another facility, right?
Yeah, it would be splitting them up.
So, I mean, like, she's not being kicked to the streets.
No, she'll just be a ward of the state.
I mean, is she not already?
No, not at this point.
At this point, even though her husband is dead, she is still considered his wife on the hospital paperwork.
I guess the hospital needed separate permission to mark her a ward of the state, or there was some clerical issue or something.
Because if she were ward of the state, I mean, they likely would have lobotomized and sterilized her by now.
Yeah. Well,
I think that clip is certainly telling.
You know, Hazel is clearly having a difficult time adapting to this new reality, and, you know, struggling with the idea that this plan is out of her control.
Yeah, I think it's very hard when there's a routine that,
I mean, she already doesn't have control of, but she's used to it and the people around her.
And then to be told that routine is going to change and she still won't have control over it, and she doesn't get to know how it's going to change-- Yeah, mhm.
She's unwell, but she's also very human, and I think that it's a very human thing to stress about.
She's just maybe like-- More stressed than your average bear. Exactly.
Well, I'm interested to see how that plan develops. For sure.
We're getting to the end here.
We are, how exciting.
We'll delve deeper into the juiciest part of the Doctor Love case-- --and the final part of their saga-- next week, exclusively here on "Mysteries of the Mind."
I'm Daphne St. Clair, our hopeless romantic-- --and I'm Preston Knight, our resident psychology nerd.
Thank you for tuning in!
And we'll see you this time next week.
Bye!
Doctor Love is written and directed by Maya Appavoo, and produced by Maya Appavoo and Monica Gate.
Starring the voice acting talents of Madeline Harsh as Daphne,
Jacob Martin as Preston,
Abby McDougall as Doctor Burnett, and Emily Lizotte as Hazel.
Additional voices by Robert Wooldridge,
Sarah McKinnon, and Cleo Birch.
Post-production management by Monica Gate.
Sound design for this episode by Ken Kosowick and music by Ken Kosowick.
The full list of credits and disclaimers can be found in the episode description or on our website: appoova.ca/portfolio/doctorlove
Follow us on social media. We are @doctorlovepod on everything.
Doctor Love is supported by the Edmonton Arts Council, and the City of Edmonton.
Thank you for listening.