May Hawes

May Hawes

May Hawes (born 1880 in Birmingham, died 1888 at East Lake Park) was the eldest daughter of Richard and Emma Hawes. She and her mother and sisters were murdered by Mr Hawes during the weekend of December 1, 1888. Her body was found floating in East Lake by two boaters on December 4, triggering an investigation that resulted in the discovery of the remains of Mrs Hawes and May's sister, Irene, in Lakeview. Richard Hawes was captured, convicted of murder, and executed by hanging.

According to area residents, there have been sightings of a little girl playing at the lake's edge, swimming, or slipping below the water at dusk. Called the Child of the Lake or the East Lake Mermaid, the apparition is attributed to May's spirit.