In the aftermath of a fatal car accident in June 1967, rumors swirled about the demise of Hollywood starlet Jayne Mansfield.

Contrary to popular belief, her death was shrouded in even darker circumstances than initially thought.

Similar to her contemporary Marilyn Monroe, Mansfield met an untimely demise, sparking a flurry of speculation and hearsay.

During the early hours of June 29, 1967, tragedy struck as a vehicle carrying Jayne Mansfield and her three children collided with a semi-truck on a dimly lit Louisiana highway.

The impact was so severe that it tore the roof off Mansfield’s car, resulting in the immediate fatalities of the three adults in the front seats.

Remarkably, the children in the backseat survived the harrowing crash.

Although gossip surrounding decapitation and eerie curses quickly circulated post-accident, the reality behind Jayne Mansfield’s death is far more disturbing and heart-wrenching than the sensationalized tales suggest.

Who Was Jayne Mansfield?

In the glamorous era of the 1950s, Jayne Mansfield soared to fame as a voluptuous and provocative counterpart to Marilyn Monroe.

Born Vera Jayne Palmer on April 19, 1933, Mansfield ventured into Hollywood at a tender age of 21, already balancing the roles of wife and mother.

While starring in iconic films like “Too Hot to Handle” in 1960 and “The Girl Can’t Help It” in 1956, Mansfield captivated audiences not only with her on-screen charm but also with her off-screen persona, where she embodied a more risqué version of Monroe.

Renowned Hollywood journalist Lawrence J. Quirk once probed Monroe about Mansfield, to which Monroe lamented, criticizing Mansfield’s imitation as an affront to both of them.

Monroe expressed her displeasure, stating, “I know it’s supposed to be flattering to be imitated, but she does it so grossly, so vulgarly – I wish I had some legal means to sue her.”

In a bold move, Mansfield actively pursued John F. Kennedy due to his association with Monroe.

After winning the president’s attention, Mansfield gleefully remarked, “I’ll bet Marilyn’s pissed as all get out!”

In 1958, Mansfield tied the knot with actor and bodybuilder Mickey Hargitay, with whom she shared three children, including Mariska Hargitay, and collaborated on various film projects.

Throughout her tumultuous romantic life, marked by three marriages, five children, and numerous high-profile affairs, Mansfield embraced her status as a s** symbol, boldly posing for Playboy and advocating for a healthy perspective on sexuality.

Her flamboyant lifestyle and boundary-pushing acts, such as public bre-st exposure and on-screen n^dty in the 1963 film “Promises, Promises,” set her apart in an era of conservative Hollywood standards.

Despite her audacious demeanor, Mansfield, upon hearing of Monroe’s sudden death in 1962, harbored fears of a similar fate, acknowledging, “Maybe I’ll be next.”

The Fatal Crash of June 1967

Five years after Monroe’s passing, tragedy befell Jayne Mansfield in a fatal car crash.

In the early morning hours of June 29, 1967, Mansfield departed from Biloxi, Mississippi, en route to New Orleans after a performance at a local nightclub, accompanied by her driver Ronald B. Harrison and boyfriend Samuel S. Brody.

Her three children dozed in the backseat.

Shortly past 2 a.m., their 1966 Buick Electra collided with a trailer truck, claiming the lives of everyone in the front seats instantaneously.

The thick fog emitted by a nearby mosquito-killing device likely obstructed Harrison’s view, leading to the tragic collision.

The Tragic Ending

Following the collision, the top of Mansfield’s vehicle was sheared off as it slid beneath the trailer, resulting in the horrific demise of the three adults seated in the front.

Amidst the chaos, police discovered Mansfield’s surviving children in the backseat, along with the tragic loss of the family dog.

As news of the grisly accident spread, rumors perpetuated the notion that Mansfield was decapitated in the crash, a narrative fueled by photographs showing her wig thrown from the car, creating an illusion of decapitation.

While the police report confirmed a severe head injury, characterized by a crushed skull and partial cranial separation, akin to a scalping, the tale of decapitation persisted, further perpetuated by unfounded rumors linking her demise to a curse cast by Anton LaVey, founder of the Church of Satan.

Mariska Hargitay Reflects on Her Mother’s Legacy

Surviving the fatal crash that claimed her mother’s life, Mariska Hargitay, renowned for her role as Olivia Benson in “Law and Order: SVU,” bore witness to the tragedy as a child.

Despite escaping physical harm, a scar on her head serves as a poignant reminder of the fateful event.

Embracing the loss, Hargitay reflects on her mother beyond the glitzy public image, acknowledging Mansfield’s multifaceted nature as a talented violinist, possessing a high IQ, and nurturing a deep love for her family and pets.

Revering her mother’s zest for life and unorthodox spirit, Hargitay draws inspiration from Mansfield’s legacy, emphasizing her resilience and determination in navigating the pain of loss.

A Legacy Transformed: The Federal Mandate For Mansfield Bars

In the wake of the tragic accident that claimed Jayne Mansfield’s life, legislative action ensued to prevent similar tragedies.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration mandated the installation of steel bars, aptly named Mansfield bars, on semi-trucks to deter vehicles from sliding under trailers during collisions.

This pivotal intervention aimed to avert future catastrophes, ensuring that the loss of Jayne Mansfield and her loved ones would serve as a catalyst for enhanced safety measures on the road.

Jayne Mansfield’s legacy endures as a testament to resilience, transformation, and the enduring impact of tragic events on legislative reform.

Just as her life captivated audiences, her untimely passing spurred a call to action, ushering in a new era of road safety regulations.