#Historicalcrimedocumentary

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Murder and Mysteries - Four Hour True Crime and Mystery Stories

 News of the Times Episode 283 | 1550's - 1911 

Welcome to an extended special history compilation and true cime documentary  - a review of cases where the crimes remained unsolved for years or where doubt remains as to who the murderer was.   

Our first case is the famous Sawney Sean cannibalistic family that existed in Scotland for over 25 years!  The isolated family waylaid hapless travellers, killed them, robbed them and then ate them.  The crimes were finally resolved by King James VI! 

Our second story looks at the famous east London child vanishings over several years.  Many taking place on the same street!  

Our third story looks at the still unsolved Thames torso murders that took place around the same time as the ripper killings and were located only a few miles away.  As mutilated headless bodies began washing up from the Thames, panic ensued! 

Our fourth story looks at the infamous James Maybrick case.  His death occurred in 1889.  There were some who believed he was Jack the Ripper.  As for his very painful death – did she, or didn’t she?  A famous case to this day.  

Our fifth case involves a housemaid and the primary suspect, a highly respectable church elder.  Rose was also found to be pregnant.  Her horrifically mutilated body, with attempts to burn the body after death, was incredibly shocking in its day.  

Our sixth case takes place in Lancaster Castle in 1911.  The family who act as caretakers of the castle are all dying one by one.  Who is killing them? 

Our last episode recounts three families cursed with implications to this day. 03:56:40:09 Four hours of crimes, mysteries and stories is today’s history compilation special of Murders and Mysteries.

 Hosted by Robin Coles. 

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Housemaid Stories of Betrayal and Murder

 News of the Times Episode 194 | 1825 & 1895 

Housemaids made up almost 40% of the female workforce at one point.   Today’s episode looks at the unsuspecting dangers lurking in being a housemaid.  From deciding to receive or not receive the attentions from members of the household, or going up in flames – a regular Victorian horror, or being murdered as an eye witness to the primary crime – being a housemaid was filled with potential danger. Covering stories between 1824 and 1893, we investigate some of the stories where bad things happen to the housemaid. Hosted by Robin Coles.       

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The Socialite Serial Killer

News of the Times Episode 257 | 1895 

1894 Antwerp Belgium and one of the top leading social lights of the country is arrested for the murder of three relatives who were all heavily insured.  As the story unfolds into the life of a couple who were considered wealthy and leaders within society, what begins to become clear to investigators is that despite appearances, this was a woman desperate for money.  

Spending far above actual income, and living on credit, it would seem that a family member had to die every time the creditors were closing in.   As investigations are pursued, questions are asked regarding other deaths within the circle of Madame Joniaux We look at the history, crime and capture of the socialite serial killer in 1894 Belgium in today’s episode of Serial Killer Saturdays. 

Hosted by Robin Coles.      

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A Collection of Macabre Murders | Twisted Tales Tuesdays

In today’s episode we look at some of the stories where murder was not enough. In these stories, murder was followed by an attempt to completely obliviate the victim. We start with Charlotte Lawson and the horrific murder of her mistress in France. Followed by the infamous James Cook and Mr Paas case that was a sensation in its day. Historically, one can argue that Kate Webster going so far as to attempt to boil off the flesh of the body parts and sell the fat is an impressive attempt at annihilation. And we end with a love triangle that goes badly for the husband.

Hosted by Robin Coles.

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Stories of Employee Revenge

News of the Times Episode 315 | 1751 & 1849 

In today’s episode we look at murdering a different kind of mistress back in the day – one’s employer.  For centuries, this was considered one of the very worst crimes and punishment was meted out rigidly. In our first case, it is 1751 and Norman Ross, a bright lad, has gotten himself into extreme financial difficulties through his dalliance with a fellow servant.  Running out of options, he decides to take the extreme step of robbing his wealthy mistress.  This goes catastrophically wrong.  Scottish retribution is represented here in all its goriness as he is made to pay. 

Our second case from 1849 was a famous case in its day.  Young Sarah Thomas, 19 years old, has started a new position with the notoriously difficult Miss Jeffries.  Wealthy Miss Jeffries, who leads a secluded life, has a reputation for abusing the few servants who will work for her. The relationship between Miss Jeffries and Sarah Thomas ends quickly with a room saturated in blood. Two cases of murdering the mistress, their employer, is today’s episode of Frightful Fridays. 

Hosted by Robin Coles.    

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The Case of the Sinister Schoolmaster

News of the Times Episode 314 | 1860 

It is 1860 Eastbourne and 15 year old Reginald Chancellor / Cancellor has been sent back after Easter holidays to his very expensive boarding school.  Reginald is a known slow student.  Although the family can see that Reginald has been on the receiving end of corporal punishment at his school, he also seems to be improving academically so the family send him back.  They never see Reginald alive again. 

What unfolds is a course of action that can only be described as both sickening and sadistic. This case was loudly followed in the papers at the time and was used as a case study for decades to come when looking into school reform. The post script after gives a further indication of what poor Reginald endured with .the sinister schoolmaster in today’s episode of Wicked Wednesdays. 

Hosted by Robin Coles.    

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The Ramsgate Murder Mystery 

News of the Times Episode 313 | 1893 

It is 1893 Ramsgate and Mr Noel, butcher and Wesleyan treasurer and Sunday school teacher, has come home from the Sunday school class he has just taught only to find himself locked out of his house.   His wife, who should be home, does not answer.   Mr Noel goes to the side window, looks in, only to see his wife dead in a pool of blood.  The family dog which is devoted to her is standing guard by her body. 

The apparent house robbery has been staged and there was strangely no noise heard from the dog who had a reputation of viciousness and loud barking with any stranger. The Ramsgate murder mystery gripped the headlines as local police investigated the crime.  

We take a look at the background, the crime, the whispers and rumours and the outcome of the Ramsgate murder mystery in today’s episode of Murderous Mondays. 

 Hosted by Robin Coles.     

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Ruthless Richard Edwards

News of the Times Episode 312 | 1842 

It is 1848 in the mining town of Merthyr Tydfil in Wales.  72 year old Tamar Edwards has gone missing from her small dilapidated cottage within the village.  Her son, who has just recently reunited with his wife, has moved her into his mother’s cottage and explains his mother’s disappearance as her having gone to visit in the next parish.  The couple sleep in his mother’s bed. It is payday and Edwards, Tamar’s son, must make the trip into the next town to pick up his wages.  His instruction to his wife is to not look under the bed.  

The wife consults with her friends and neighbours who think she should look under the bed in which she and her husband have been sleeping.  A gruesome discovery awaits.  From here, accusations fly as to who was actually responsible for the body under the bed. We take a look at the disappearance of Tamar Edwards in this crime story from 1848 rural Wales in today’s episode of Sinister Saturdays.

 Hosted by Robin Coles.        

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Stories of Murders of Mothers

News of the Times Episode 311 | 1775 & 1848 

The killing of the mother, Matricide, has historically been considered one of the blackest of crimes. In today’s episode we look at two cases where the adult offspring has planned and carried out the murder of their respective mothers with chilling coldness. 

Our first case from 1775 involves a single mother who runs a girl’s school.  Her son, who lives at home and does not seem to have held a viable job, resents being reprimanded or told what to do.  Just as she goes up to make his bed, the horror begins. 

Our second case from 1848 involves a very sad case of elder abuse which seems to have increased in intensity until a fatal blow followed by an attempt to burn the body by her 50 year old daughter. Two terrible cases of murdering the mother is today’s episode of Wicked Wednesdays. 

 Hosted by Robin Coles.       

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Stories of Murdered Mistresses

News of the Times Episode 310 | 1775 & 1851 

Our first story takes place in 1775.  The young orphan that was brought into the household of well-respected ex-soldier John Bolton had developed into a beauty.  Bolton takes advantage of his position and engages in an intimacy with her.  And then she becomes pregnant.  The case took on the highest alert possible at that time. 

Our second case from 1850 was a love match between two youngsters of different social class backgrounds, both respected.  Despite the social class differences, an intimacy develops, and the young woman becomes pregnant.  Very pregnant, and it would seme the majority of the village is aware of it.  The young gentleman is set to marry a woman of his own class, as decided by his family, who also brings wealth.  The sticking point is his pregnant mistress. Two cases of murdered mistresses is today‘s episode of Wicked Wednesdays. 

Hosted by Robin Coles.     

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The Warley Gap Murder

The Warley Gap Murder 

News of the Times Episode 308 | 1903 

It is 1903 in the beautiful area of Warley Gap, in Essex. 

Respectable local girl, Maud Garret, 19, is found terribly brutally slain in a field not far from the 2nd battalion Essex.  Maud had been known to be walking with a soldier there – an Edwardian version of dating – and had been seen by many. The murder of a local girl is bad enough, but Maud has been savagely outraged as well as having been beaten multiple times on her face with what is believed to be a cane. It is considered one of the most brutal murders ever seen in the area’s history. Who could have done this and why?  

We take a look at the background, the crime and the capture of the Warley Gap murderer in today’s episode of Murderous Mondays. We very much hope you enjoy the show! 

Hosted by Robin Coles.          

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Chilling Charles Boyle

News of the Times Episode 308 | 1924 

A young girl, upon arriving back to the flat shared with her mother, finds herself unable to get in.  Impatiently knocking on the door and receiving no response, she goes to a neighbour and borrows the ley. Opening the door reveals a scene of horror with her mother, and two neighbour children, lying in pools of blood – their throats horrible slashed. 

This shocking story at the time was used as an impetus to attempt to renew efforts of support to lower income families and give aid to those in the tenement areas of Glasgow.  The story of alcoholism, deprivation, and mental illness was both disturbing and horrific. We have kept the language of the day, some of which most certainly and quite rightly is inappropriate today.  As always, we look to history as a barometer of how far, or not so far, we have come. 

Hosted by Robin Coles.     

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Murderous Stories of Inconvenient In-Laws

News of the Times Episode 307 | 1837 & 1861 

Those pesky n-laws who get in the way of the whole purpose of having gotten married in the first place. 

Our first case takes place in 1839.  Charles Bartlett, who works as an entertainer with a travelling show, has met and married a young girl, scarcely 18, who brings with her an initial dowry of £45!  Upon her mother’s death, she will inherit another £50! Sadly, the mother-in-law is shot at from behind within a month of the marriage.  Charles was the last person to see her alive… 

Our second case from 1861 takes place in the peaceable parish of Anglesey, North Wales.  Richard Rowlands has married the recently widowed daughter of a prosperous farmer.  Unfortunately, the father rather despises Richard and gives him a deadline to pack up his things, and his new family, and remove himself from his property.  There is one day left before he is required to leave when coincidentally, the father-in-law is beaten to death on a lonely pathway as he is walking home. 

Two murderous cases of inconvenient in laws is today’s episode of Frightful Fridays. We hope you enjoy the show! 

Hosted by Robin Coles.       

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The Many Murders of Charles Daines

News of the Times Episode 309 | 1839 

It is 1839 in a small village outside Norwich. Charles Daines, 50 year old carpenter by trade, has a secret. In the next village is the highly attractive widow, Ann Lloyd.   Mrs Lloyd has many admirers, Charles Daines is just one of many. But Charles is already married and his wife, Hannah, stubbornly refuses to die despite his best repeated efforts.

 Mrs Lloyd has now openly stated that she is considering marrying Mr Hawke who has been persuasively pleading his case.  Charles pleads with her to remain single for him.  In desperation, Charles widens his target from only his wife with deathly results. We take a look at the many murders of Charkes Daines in today’s episode of Wicked Wednesdays. 

Hosted by Robin Coles.        

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The Southend Murderer: Scotland Yard Casebook 

News of the Times Episode 305 | 1894 

It is 1894 and on the outskirts of a small village, a woman is found dead in a dry brook.  She is heavily pregnant and well dressed.  She has been shot above her ear; with no gun nearby, this is murder not suicide. Scotland Yard’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) are called in and immediately track down a potential suspect, despite his attempts at a change of identity. 

This remarkable case surrounds a serial bigamist whose house of cards were beginning to fall down with the dead woman, Florence Dennis, being the tipping point. We take a look at the crime, the suspect and the capture of the Southend Murderer in today’s episode of Murderous Mondays. 

Hosted by Robin Coles.        

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The Killing at Coachford

News of the Times Episode 303 | 1887 

It is 1887, just in the preamble of the ripper killings that will leave a long-lasting scar on the country’s consciousness.  This was a story that consumed the UK. Dr Cross, a highly respected retired military man, and it sounds like a bit of curmudgeon with the locals, has shocked society with his revolving door of buried wife followed quickly by marriage of a girl who could easily be his grandchild. 

There had been fights and recriminations between the good Dr and Mrs Cross before she passed.  During her illness, her husband had become unexpectedly newly caring and solicitous.  With the speedy burial and even more speedy marriage, neighbours talked.  Police listened. We take a look at this remarkable case of a surgeon, his young mistress and the killing of his wife in Coachford, Ireland in today’s episode of Frightful Fridays. 

 Hosted by Robin Coles.