The Hoffays reported the incident to police, who identified the driver of the other carriage as embalmer and local politician Fred W. Schatzle. As reported by the New York Post, the passenger was identified as William Cushing, who was also a prominent politician. Both men admitted being in the area near Teal’s Pond on the evening in question and admitted having known Hazel Drew. However, neither man was charged with Drew’s murder.
In their book, “Murder at Teal’s Pond,” David Bushman and Mark Givens suggest local law enforcement officials refused to arrest Cushing and Schatzle, as they were trying to protect the prominent men. Bushman and Givens are unsure what may have motivated the murder. However, they suggest Drew’s employment in the homes of some very prominent and influential men may have somehow put her in harm’s way.
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According to the New York Post, Bushman and Givens said, “Any of these men could have been motivated to have Hazel killed. None were seriously investigated at the time. All had ties to the Republican Party and it seems easier to accept that … detectives would have been motivated to cover up the activity of Cushing and Schatzle if they had been acting for someone with influence … especially someone in the party.”
Authorities have not commented on Bushman and Givens’ theory and have not announced any breakthroughs in their investigation into Drew’s murder.
