Arbuckle and Rappé

Virginia Rappe

On September 5, 1921, there was a party on the 12th floor of the St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco.  Among those who attended, Virginia Rappé, her lover Henry Lehrman, and Hollywood extortionist (?) "Bambina" Maude Delmont.

During the (long) party, Rappe became extremely sick.  She died on September 9. 

Arbuckle was charged with her rape and murder (possibly as part of a scheme by Delmont to extort money from him).   Portrayed by the press as a virtuous virgin,  Rappe was anything but.  Most sources agree that Rappe had a long history of promiscuity, stds, other health issues, and possibly numerous abortions.

Roscoe Arbuckle