Elva Statler Davidson was the adopted daughter of Buffalo, New York hotel magnate E.M. Statler. In January 1935 Elva married Pinehurst sportsman H. Bradley Davidson. Age 40, he was the divorced father of three children. He was approximately twice Elva's age. In February 1935 the couple went out for a night on the town with friends, in Pinehurst. The following morning, February 27, Mrs. Davidson was found dead in a car that was parked in the garage of her home.