#NewsofTheTimes

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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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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.     

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Two Tales of Revenge

News of the Times Episode 302 | 1849 & 1934 

In todays episode we look at two tales were mothers feature strongly as does revenge. Our first story from 1849 sees young John Ward making advances to the household servant which is not reciprocated. With his wish to marry the servant, the mother steps in forcibly with fatal consequences. 

Our second story from 1934 is highly unusual in several ways: the age of the bride, the carrier pigeon, the strong role of the mothers, and the twisting path of the trials. Young Violet is not finding married life something she wants to do, so she goes back to mother. The news does not go down well with her new husband. Mothers and revenge are the main themes in today’s episode of Wicked Wednesdays. 

Hosted by Robin Coles.     

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The Babington Plot Against Queen Elizabeth I

News of the Times Episode 299 | 1586 

It is 1587 and England is undergoing simmering tension within the country, and externally from international pressure. The Pope has ex-communicated Queen Elizabeth I and actively encourages true Catholics to remover her from the throne.  The figure head for the opposition is the imprisoned Mary Stuart, Queen of the Scots. This and other failed attempts to oust Queen Elizabeth leads to the infamous Babington Plot within England contrived in part by the potential assassin, Anthony Babington, who is, actually the unknowing puppet of Queen Elisabeth’s spymaster, 

Sir Francis Walsingham This story involves spies, counter-espionage, double agents, royalty and treachery leading to the execution of an anointed queen.  We take a whistlestop look at this complicated story.  The buildup, the players within this drama, the trap and the capture, that ultimately lead to Mary Stuart’s final doom. The Babington Plot against Queen Elizabeth I is today’s episode of Sinister Saturdays. 

Hosted by Robin Coles.    

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The Southwestern Train Murder

News of the Times Episode 298 | 1901 

 It is 1901 and there are three people travelling towards London in a third class railway carriage.  All of the sudden, one of the passengers gets up, shoots point blank at a fellow passenger, and then shoots the other in the face when she speaks. There were very few stories that could make the papers during this time of Queen Victoria’s death, but this was one of them.  

The execution style killing on a train shocked the nation. We take a look at the crime, the capture, the motive and the execution in today’s episode of Murderous Mondays. 

Hosted by Robin Coles.        

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Aristocratic Chronicles: Two Tales of Murderous Philips

Aristocratic Chronicles: Two Tales of Murderous Philips 

News of the Times Episode 297  | 1678 & 1688 

In today’s episode we look at two murderous cases, within aristocratic circles, involving protagonists named Philip. In our first case of 1678, Charles II - the party king - is the reigning monarch.  Philip, The 7th earl of Pembroke seems to have inherited his father's notorious quick and violent temper.  Having just been released from the Tower of London, he visits a pub where he casually meets two others.  Upset by a cutting remark made to him, he kicks his victim to death.  It is quite possible; this was the first of three murders to take place as his hands. 

Our second case from 1688 involves the eldest son of Sir James Stansfield referred to as a dissolute drunkard and who regularly racks up thousands of pounds of debt. His despisal for his father is very well known and exacerbated by his father recently cutting him out of his will.  Rumours are spread about the insanity of Sir James by his now disinherited son. And then Sir James is found dead in the garden pond. A look at two murderous aristocratic Philips is today’s episode of Wicked Wednesdays. 

Hosted by Robin Coles.         

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The Murder of the Duchess de Praslin

News of the Times Episode 296 | 1847 

It is 1847 Paris France and astoundingly, the Duchess of Praslin has been found in a room, bolted from the inside, shockingly brutally murdered.  She has put up a tremendous fight as bloody clumps of hair are found dotted around the room. In her death throes, she managed to violently ring the bell, thus bringing the skeleton staff rushing to her aid - most probably unexpectedly by the murderer. 

This case rocked Europe and helped to overthrow France's governemnt of the time under King Louis Philippe. The letters left behind tragically and grapohically spell put the anguish of a womn overthrown for a younger model after decades of marraige together. The brutal murder of the Duchess of Praslin is today's episode of Murderous Mondays. 

Hosted by Robin Coles.       

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The Assassin Madame Weiss News of the Times Episode 53 | 1840 

 In 1891 The international papers were fascinated by the story of Madame Weiss and the murderous love triangle in which she took centre stage. Madame Weiss, married to ex-army soldier M Weiss and with two children, falls passionately in love with visiting engineer M Roque.  

Their torrid romance becomes known to her husband who forgives her and shoulders some of the blame for his wife’s deception. M Roque, a man of strong passion and strong ideas, commands Madame Weiss to kill her husband.  There was talk in the press that she had been hypnotised to become her husband’s assassin at the behest of her lover. The evidence that she had been poisoning her husband became known from a torn-up letter pieced together by a friend who was suspicious.  

But the realisation of her treachery is only the start of this dramatic story filled with twists and turns. We take a look at the background, the buildup, the crime, the capture and aftermath of Madame Weiss, the assassin in today’s episode of Murderous Mondays. 

Hosted by Robin Coles.        

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Murder Amongst the Monied

News of the Times Episode 294 | 1746 & 1885 

Our first case from 1746 London, involves footman Matthew Henderson who has worked in the Dalrymple household, the master of the house will soon become Lord Dalrymple, for five years.  Whether cheekily or not, he steps on Lady Dalrymple’s toe which she scolds him for. The scolding does not sit well with Matthew, and he plots a bloody revenge. 

Our second case from 1885 takes place on the grounds of the spectacular Blenheim Palace, Home of Lord Marlborough and birthplace of Winston Churchill. Two groundsmen, who have a history of dislike for each other are forced to work on the same project together.  What starts as a small argument regarding a tar brush becomes grows so contentious that one of them ends up beaten to death. Two cases of murder in the land of the monied is today’s episode of Frightful Fridays. 

Hosted by Robin Coles.     

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Stories of Sibling Murder

News of the Times Episode 293 | 1873-1875 

The killing of a sibling, another child one has grown up with, without the motivation of financial gain, is relatively rare. In today’s episode we look at three cases where the sibling has been convicted of their sibling’s murder. 

Our first case from 1873 is particularly odd as it recounts the story of a woman of some 75 years who murders her older sister, with a pitchfork.  Her older sister is around 80 years of age.   

Our second case from 1874 recounts the murder of a brother who disapproves of his much younger sister’s budding romance. She is found in a field with her throat slashed. 

Our last case from 1875 Jersey retells the murder of a sister and the attempted murder of her husband.  This case is particularly unique as it involves a public execution some 7 years after public executions had been abolished in England. Three cases of a sister and brothers murdering their respective siblings is today’s episode of Wicked Wednesdays. 

Hosted by Robin Coles.     

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The Murder of Rhoda Carter

News of the Times Episode 292 | 1893 

1893 Watchfield in Berkshire and relatively newly married Rhoda Carter has gone missing.  It is high summer, yet John, her husband, has had a huge fire going on in the washroom giving off a terrible stench. His story of his wife going to help her pregnant sister turns out to be false.  Returning to ask more questions, John himself has vanished. 

This case gripped the papers due to the extreme mutilations of the body.  As investigations are pursued, it would seem that Rhoda was wife number three who has either had a terrible accident or vanished. The case was so famous in its time, and the crime so horrifically brutal, that the murderer’s wax effigy spent many years in Mme Tussaud’s Chamber of Horrors. We look at the background, the crime and the capture of the murderer of Rhoda carter in today’s episode of Murderous Mondays. 

 Hosted by Robin Coles.