THROUGHOUT its 100-year history the Miss America pageant has had its fair share of scandals, from mystery disappearances to fat-shaming emails and suicide attempts. The first Miss America pageant took place in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 1921, and the event, as well as other pageants, have gone through several shakeups over the years.
GettyBette Cooper vanished on the day of her first official appearance as a winner '/ ' A VANISHING MISS AMERICA One of the earliest scandals involved Bette Cooper, the 1937 winner. According to Margot Mifflin, who wrote a book about the pageants, Cooper never really wanted to enter the contest — and after she won it, she failed to show up for her first official appearance. Apparently, she had struck up a romance with her assigned chauffeur for the week and he helped her sneak away to avoid her official pageant duties. Her disappearance resulted in some odd photos, with an empty Miss America thrown flanked by the runners up waving next to it. After Cooper was forced to make an apology, she disappeared again and never had anything more to do with the pageant. Most read in News UNDER FIRE What to know about Judge Michelle Odinet 'SHOPPING CART KILLER' 'Serial killer' who moves bodies in Target cart is probed as 4 slain IN COLD BLOOD Mexican actress shot dead while waiting to pick up her son, 11, from football TIKTOK THREAT Warning over challenge that urges kids to bring WEAPONS to school tomorrow CASHFLOW Five stimulus check payment programs to replace the monthly $300 child tax credit WE WANT JUSTICE Grieving dad of model's friend wants three suspects hit with MURDER charges FAT-SHAMING/MISOGYNISTIC EMAILS In 2017, it was revealed that the pageant's CEO Sam Haskell had a history of making cruel and often misogynistic comments about contestants in emails. The shocking emails were published in 2017 by HuffPost. Miss American 2013, Mallory Hagan, was a frequent target of Haskell's mockery, with him commenting on her weight and speculating about her sex life. 
GettySam Haskell stepped down after his emails were leaked '/ ' 
GettyMallory Hagan was often a target of the sexist remarks '/ ' A WINNER'S DE-CROWING AND LATER SUICIDE ATTEMPT The winner of the 1957 MISS USA pageant, Mary Leona Gage, had her crown taken after it came to light that she lied about several things, including being married, having kids, and her age, while competing. She said she was 21 when competing, though officials later found out that she was just 18 years old and had two children, which was against pageant rules. In an interview with The Baltimore Sun decades later, Gage revealed that she had gotten married at age 14 and had started competing in pageants to deal with the ...oppression... of her marriage. After being stripped of her titles, she told the outlet she attempted suicide multiple times, developed a drug addiction, and later, lost custody of her kids. Gage passed away in 2010. 
GettyGage lost her crown after it was revealed that she lied during the competition '/ ' VANESSA WILLIAMS' DE-CROWING Actress Vanessa Williams was the first black woman to be crowned Miss America in 1984. However, she had to give back her crown after Penthouse magazine published nude photos of Williams that had been taken years earlier when she worked as a photographer's assistant. It took 32 years for the pageant to issue an official apology to Williams in 2016. 
GettyActress Vanessa Williams was once stripped of her Miss America crown '/ ' DITCHING THE SWIMSUITS After Haskell left as Miss American CEO, a former winner, Gretchen Carlson \- Miss America 1989 \- gave the competition a rebrand that involved getting rid of the famous swimsuit competition. The move led to much infighting in the organization. Mifflin explained in her book, ... 'The swimsuit change ' really divided people. ...One group wanted to preserve tradition. But some contestants told me how utterly mortifying 'wearing a bathing suit on stage ' was.... Source:
Inside the dark world of the Miss America pageant from mystery disappearances and fat-shaming emails to suicide attempts
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US Politics | Inside the dark world of the Miss America pageant from mystery disappearances and fat-shaming emails to suicide attempts
THROUGHOUT its 100-year history the Miss America...
GettyYoung Brits will get to work in Australia for three years under the new deal '/ ' 
TikTokA picture of Gabby holding what looks like a gun was shared to her TikTok in January '/ ' The mystery surrounding Gabby...s disappearance in August while she was on a cross-country road trip with her fiancé entranced the nation. Here's a look at some issues that the documentary could finally answer. THE GUN PHOTOS Brian's remains were found in October near his parents' home in Florida. He reportedly died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The news had many people questioning pictures that had been posted to his social media account in the past, including one that showed an American-flag-covered gun in his room. In the picture, a gun painted to resemble the American flag hangs on the shelf, while a chilling poster depicting violent stabbings and beatings sits atop a bookshelf. Most read in News UNDER FIRE What to know about Judge Michelle Odinet 'SHOPPING CART KILLER' 'Serial killer' who moves bodies in Target cart is probed as 4 slain IN COLD BLOOD Mexican actress shot dead while waiting to pick up her son, 11, from football TIKTOK THREAT Warning over challenge that urges kids to bring WEAPONS to school tomorrow CASHFLOW Five stimulus check payment programs to replace the monthly $300 child tax credit WE WANT JUSTICE Grieving dad of model's friend wants three suspects hit with MURDER charges A picture Gabby unloaded to her TikTok in January also appears to show her holding a gun. It's unclear if it's the same gun from Brian's room or the one he used to allegedly shoot himself. The image was uploaded earlier this year as part of a montage of photos on Gabby's TikTok channel Nomadic Statik. THE LAUNDRIE FAMILY'S MIXED-UP TIMELINE Brian's parents initially gave the police the wrong date of their son's disappearance. The family's attorney revealed that the Laundries provided investigators with the incorrect date for his alleged disappearance into the Carlton Reserve in September. Brian ...left to hike in the preserve... on Monday, September 13, not Tuesday, September 14 as originally shared, their lawyer revealed, resulting in a barrage of Reddit speculation. Steven Bertolino wrote in a text response to anchor Josh Benson from WFLA in Florida, ...The Laundries were basing the date Brian left on their recollection of certain events." THE LAUNDRIE FAMILY ...IGNORING' TEXTS/CALLS It is also unknown why the Laundries "didn't return... Gabby's mom's texts as she desperately wanted to find her daughter. Nichole Schmidt says she tried to communicate with Chris and Roberta Laundrie after she lost contact with Gabby in late August. Gabby last spoke to her family on August 25 as she and her fiancé reached Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. During an interview with Dr. Phil, Nichole claimed Brian's parents ignored the calls and texts, leaving her "infuriated.... It's not known if the Laundries' deliberately ignored the texts and calls. BRIAN LAUNDRIE'S FAMILY CAMPING TRIP Laundrie and his parents stayed at a Florida campground 75 miles from their home just days before he vanished, the family's attorney has confirmed. The potential lead in the case was first offered by Dog the Bounty Hunter, who claimed he'd received a tip that Laundrie and his parents had visited Fort De Soto Park twice in September, most recently on September 6. It is not clear why the Laundries didn't report him missing until September 17. Two days later, Gabby's remains are found near a campground in Wyoming. THE SEARCH THAT TURNED UP LAUNDRIE'S REMAINS Just minutes after Roberta and Chris walked into the Carlton Reserve in late October, they found Brian's remains and belongings, with a highly pictured bag showing what looks like a notebook among Brian's stuff. Chris and Roberta were seen moving in and out of areas of the brush, before separating for roughly 12 minutes when Chris lead two men into the brush on the left side of a trail. He returned without the cops and the couple continued on. A video captured by Fox shows Chris wading through another patch of bushes while Roberta stands motionless in the middle of a trail, staring off in the opposite direction. It's unclear what exactly was found by officers, but some items were found near to a trial Brian was known to use. Chris and Roberta Laundrie searched with the officers for a while before breaking away by themselves. Those following the case may also get a bit more insight into Gabby and Brian's relationship as both of her parents participated in the new documentary. 
Instagram / Gabby PetitoGabby was last seen at the end of October '/ ' 
Getty Images - GettyAn area of Myakkahatchee Creek Environment Park is taped off after Laundrie's remains were found there in October '/ ' 
Christopher SaccoA fisherman found a gun near where Laundrie's remains were found days later '/ ' 
A search of Solima's car found a weapon with a .223 rifle casing capacityFremont Police Department Solima, who is in Santa Rita County Jail without bail, was hit with several enhancements on top of the charges, including lying in wait, intentional discharge of a firearm causing death, and personal use of a firearm. This comes after it was revealed on Tuesday that he allegedly waited for the victim after work. Fremont Police revealed that the victim in Monday's fatal shooting would have just finished a shift would Solima hours earlier if the two did not get into an argument, causing Solima to leave early. According to a statement from police, ...the victim and had just finished a shift at the Tesla manufacturing factory before being shot in the parking lot as he left.... During the course of their investigation, authorities found that the victim and Solima ...had been arguing earlier in the day, and that the suspect had suddenly walked off the job.... The Fremont Fire Department responded to a report from Tesla about a person down in the parking lot at around 3:26 pm. Most read in News UNDER FIRE What to know about Judge Michelle Odinet 'SHOPPING CART KILLER' 'Serial killer' who moves bodies in Target cart is probed as 4 slain IN COLD BLOOD Mexican actress shot dead while waiting to pick up her son, 11, from football TIKTOK THREAT Warning over challenge that urges kids to bring WEAPONS to school tomorrow CASHFLOW Five stimulus check payment programs to replace the monthly $300 child tax credit WE WANT JUSTICE Grieving dad of model's friend wants three suspects hit with MURDER charges Medical assistance was provided to the subject before they were pronounced dead. Homicide investigators went to the scene and have taken over the investigation and found .223 rifle casings nearby. Fremont Police released a statement about the shooting on Monday. It read: ...On December 13, 2021 at approximately 3:26 p.m., Fremont Fire Department personnel responded to Tesla on a report of a subject down in the parking lot. ...Firefighters provided medical aid and pronounced the subject deceased. Fremont Police Homicide Investigators are on scene and have taken over the investigation.... Late Monday night, police tracked down the Solima and issued both an arrest and search warrant for him and his car. Detectives then surveilled Solima's car before arresting him in Milpitas, where he immediately surrendered. Police found a ...loaded, non-serialized, .223 caliber, short-barrel rifle was in the suspect's vehicle, along with an expended casing.... Fremont Police say they've officially ruled the death as a homicide and are continuing as such with the investigation. It's unclear at this time if any Tesla employees were hurt or involved in the incident. The Tesla factory in Fremont is the company's only US vehicle assembly plant today. More than 10,000 employees work there according to Tesla's website. The electric car company took ownership of the factory in 2010 and the plant currently manufactures the Model S, Model 3, Model X and Model Y. Other previous incidents at the plant involved an accident in November 2013 when a low-pressure aluminum casting press failed and spilled molten metal on three workers, causing their clothing to catch fire. Tesla was fined $89,000 by the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health for several safety violations. On April 1, 2019, a settlement by the company was reached with the United States Environmental Protection Agency over the alleged mishandling of hazardous waste in 2017. The EPA claims that Tesla allowed hazardous waste to accumulate on-site without a permit beyond 90 days. Two 55-gallon containers of hazardous waste were left open, violating air emission standards. Tesla founder and CEO Elon Musk has yet to make a statement on the incident. 
Solimas was charged with ...waiting... for his victim to arrive 
ReutersElon Musk has yet to make a statement on the incident '/ ' 
FacebookChadwell was identified as a potential suspect in connection with the so-called Delphi murders '/ ' Court documents show the nine-year-old girl was lured into Chadwell's home on April 19 to pet his dogs. Chadwell allegedly attacked and strangled the little girl before forcing her into the basement where he assault her, according to court documents. The little tot told police that Chadwell repeatedly made threats to kill her should she scream or tell anyone what happened. Prosecutors alleged: ...Chadwell was also choking her with his hands on her neck and also using his arm in a headlock, to the point where she passed out.... Chadwell will not be eligible for parole until 2091 under current Indiana law. Tippecanoe County Prosecutor Patrick Harrington said: ...As I told the mother, what this means today to her and her family, they can go home and tell the child involved in this case that she can rest tonight, knowing she's safe. Most read in News UNDER FIRE What to know about Judge Michelle Odinet 'SHOPPING CART KILLER' 'Serial killer' who moves bodies in Target cart is probed as 4 slain IN COLD BLOOD Mexican actress shot dead while waiting to pick up her son, 11, from football TIKTOK THREAT Warning over challenge that urges kids to bring WEAPONS to school tomorrow CASHFLOW Five stimulus check payment programs to replace the monthly $300 child tax credit WE WANT JUSTICE Grieving dad of model's friend wants three suspects hit with MURDER charges ...This man will never be in a position to get out of prison or to hurt her again.... "The victim fought the defendant and is a true survivor of this unimaginable attack. The family thanked the Lafayette Police Officers for their outstanding effort to quickly locate the victim, and save her from any further harm," he said. The girl's mother had called the police that night after she had gone missing for only half an hour. When cops scoured the area, Chadwell allegedly told them that the girl entered his home but had left, according to court documents. When police continued to search for the girl and returned to Chadwell's home with a search warrant, they found the girl in the basement with bruising and a dog bite on her leg. Back in October during Chadwell's trial, Harrington added that the guilty plea meant the jury did not have to watch the officer's bodycam video. ...It's so graphic that most people who observed it have sought mental health treatment,... Harrington said. ...It's disturbing. It's disturbing that a human being could ever treat another person in this matter.... This man will never be in a position to get out of prison or to hurt her again. Tippecanoe County Prosecutor Patrick Harrington Chadwell's public defender says his client is taking responsibility. ...He owns it,... Shay Hughes said. ...Our hearts go out to the victim and the victim's family.... The incident took place around 20 miles from Delphi where two teenage girls were murdered. Teenagers Abby Williams, 13, and her best friend Libby German 14, were discovered near a river a short distance away from the Monon High Bridge Trail in Delpha in February 2017. They were reported missing shortly after Libby posted a final image to Snapchat of Abby, showing her traversing the tracks of the bridge trail. The girls' causes of death have never been disclosed and their killer has never been found. Indiana State Police previously said that autopsies were carried out on the two girls but officials declined to disclose a cause or time of death for either girl, and refused to confirm whether DNA evidence was recovered from the scene. Chadwell was investigated in connection to the crime, but no formal connection has been established. Sheriff Tobe Leazenby said in April: ...The information has obviously been shared with us and our investigators are looking into him.... He urged the public not to jump to any conclusions about any potential link. Leazenby revealed that cops were imposing a media blackout on possible suspects in the killings of Libby and Abby moving forward. Chadwell is not the first person accused of an abduction crime who has been investigated as a potential person of interest in the murders. 
Indiana State PoliceIndiana cops released an image of the suspect wanted for the deaths of Abby Williams and Libby German whose bodies were discovered in February 2017. The teens' killer has never been found '/ ' We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The US Sun team? Email us at exclusive@the-sun.com or call 212 416 4552. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheSunUS and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunUS 