News of the Times - Unlocking the vaults of historical crime

The Body in the Buttery News of the Times Episode 392 | 1892 1892 Oldham, in Northern England, and odd things are going on with a tenant couple. The wife has, supposedly, travelled to her mother’s due to her mother’s alleged health issues  - she has not been seen in weeks. The husband equally has not been seen around the property being rented for several weeks. Neighbours are whispering that he ha...

The Disturbing Case of Mary Emily Cage News of the Times Episode 390 | 1851 In today’s episode it is 1851 Suffolk.  The cage family are renowned in the village for the loud arguments and fights between James Cage and his wife Mary Emily cage, and also for Mary’s many departures with other men.  In her last excursion, she brought her 16 year old daughter with her who became pregnant. Mary has retur...

The Case of The Colwick Murders And The Subsequent Tragedies News of the Times Episode 389 | 1844 In today’s episode it is 1844 Nottinghamshire.  Mrs Saville, along with her three children, are on day release from the workhouse and in search of her husband who is lodging with a friend. Mrs Saville has heard about his friendly relations with a girl from the neighbouring village and wishes to confro...

Remarkable Executions between 1718 and 1816 News of the Times Episode 388 | 1718-1816 What constitutes a remarkable execution in history?  In Georgian times, it meant any kind of execution where the behaviour of the prisoner was unexpected or where something goes terribly terribly wrong with the execution/ We look at 6 execution cases which were labelled “remarkable “in their day.  The cases inclu...

The Vienna Murders - Serial Killer Hugo Schenk News of the Times Episode 387 | 1884 In today’s episode, it is 1884 Vienna where the crimes of Hugo Schenk, with his brother and a friend, have finally been caught after a murderous spree within Austria but with suspcions of also having crossed into Germany for more murders. The ploy was through the Victorian version of tinder.  Advertisements went ou...

Mother and Daughter Serial Killers - Winters and Frost News of the Times Episode 385 | 1889 It is 1889 Deptford London and Mr Winters has discovered a slew of insurance policies in the house with one of them with his name on it.  He also finds insurance policies related to now deceased family members, including his own sister. The insurance payouts are set to go to his wife and his daughter. What...

The Playboy Murderer: Murder in American High Life News of the Times Episode 384 | 1916 1916 New York and seemingly fabulously wealthy newly married couple are enduring a string of tragedies.  Within months of the happy nuptials, the bride’s mother has unexpectedly died whilst visiting her daughter and new son-in-law. Understanding how distraught the family are, the husband takes it upon himself t...

Two Australian Murder Mysteries: Fanny Perry and the Missing Men from Wonnanngata News of the Times Episode 383 | 1888 & 1918 Today we are in Australia to take a look at two puzzling mysteries form 1888 and 1918 Our first case takes place in Melbourne with the well-known Lewis’s who are involved in the theatre world.  Behind their home, is a large shed storing large pieces of scenery from thei...

The Case of the Body in the Sack - An Irish Murder Story News of the Times Episode 382 | 1928 1927 County Louth Ireland.  The good Reverend M’Keone has two staff within his house who sadly do not get along.  28 year old Mary Callan who runs all things pertaining to his household, and Gerard Toal, an 18 year old young man who takes care of all things pertaining to the outside of the premises such a...

The Case of the Prussian Serial Killer News of the Times Episode 381 | 1862 1862 saw two major figures whose crimes went beyond nightmare:  France’s Martin Dumollard and Prussia’s Karl Masch. Prussia’s Karl Masch admitted to killing 13, although it was firmly believed by authorities at the time that his murder count was much higher.  The killings were senseless and brutal.  His preferred implement...

The Canadian Monster - Joseph LaPage News of the Times Episode 390 | 1870 1874 Vermont and an absolutely horrific crime has been perpetuated on a district schoolteacher.  She is nude and has been violently assaulted and outraged post death.  Investigations are begun in earnest but their prime suspect has a solid alibi.  With a lack of evidence he is released. He and his family leave the state. 187...

The Case of Serial Killer Count De Tourville News of the Times Episode 379 | 1877 1877 London and all of London society is agog with the incredible news that prominent member of esteemed social circles, Count de Tourville, has been placed under arrest for the murder of his recent English wife by pushing her off a cliff in Austria. Interest intensifies when investigations into the count reveal a pr...

The Curious Case of the Harvard Murder News of the Times Episode 378 | 1849 It is 1849 at Harvard University and Professor John Webster is a man under pressure.  Possessing little financial abilities, and with a penchant for living well beyond his means, he has approached his good university friend, Dr Packman, for a loan. For security, he has offered his valuable minerals collection. Dr Packman,...

The Case of the Murderous Mother Daughter Love Triangle News of the Times Episode 377  | 1877 In today’s episode it is 1877 France and sadly, a wealthy middle-aged man has died leaving all his wealth to his 15 year old daughter who has been raised in a convent. If the young woman stays in the convent, as she wishes to do, all of her wealth, worth some £2 million in today’s money, will go to the co...

Crimes Tales from the Raj News of the Times Episode 376 | 1873 - 1889 In today’s episode, we are exploring three murder cases from India during the British occupation – otherwise known as the period of the Raj. Our first case involves a highly respected and well known priest and his activities with a married young girl that leads to murder.  The case is remembered to this day. Our second case is a...

The Case of the Murder in Edinburgh News of the Times Episode 375 | 1878 It is 1878 in Edinburgh and a young 24 old mother of 4 is dying.  Doctors are called and she is taken to hospital, but she never recovers.  Her husband, a native Frenchman, puts her death down to a gas leak, pointing out where he believes it has occurred in her bedroom. A medical examination takes place and it is clear she di...

The Victorian International Serial Killer News of the Times Episode 374 | 1892 It is 1892 Melbourne Australia, and a prospective tenant is looking at a house that has been uninhabited for roughly 1 month.  There is a peculiar smell emanating throughout the house and she decides not to rent the property because of it. But the letting agent is concerned and pursues.  What unfolds becomes an internat...

Shocking Dark Crime Tales of Britain News of the Times Episode 373  | 1766 - 1848 In today’s episode we are exploring shocking crimes of their time across Britian spanning between 1766 to 1848. What is deemed shocking in one era can certainly be considered very much less so in another era, yet we found all of the stories in this episode shocking in their own way. Case 1: selling a young girl on th...

The Case of the Althorp Murder News of the Times Episode 372 | 1892 1892 Northampton and married with two children husband and father,  Andrew McRae, has a plan. His mistress of some two years has become pregnant – a complication that could be utter financial ruin for himself. Drawing on the famous Richmond case with Kate Webster, McRae plots out his full proof plan on disposing of Annie without a...

The Murderous Case of the River Packages News of the Times Episode 371 | 1877 In today’s episode, it is 1877 in a small village in Wales.  In the early morning as people begin their day, a hand, with arm attached is found drifting down the river.  As the day progresses, more body parts are discovered.  The head is recovered from the river with eyes gouged out and hair cut short.  Eventually, most...

Guilty from Beyond the Grave News of the Times Episode 369 | 1629 & 1735 On today’s episode we look at two cases – carefully recorded in their day – where the alleged murderer(s) are named from beyond the grave. Our first case from 1629, nearly 400 years ago, occurs during the reign of Charles 1st.  A body is found lying in bed, child in arms, with her neck cut ear to ear.  The court is sure t...

The Mystery of the Hansom Cab Murder News of the Times Episode 368 | 1889 Manchester 1889 and in the foggy cold gloom of a damp and windy February, a cabbie roams the streets hoping for a fare.  A gentleman calls out, requesting taking to an inn and two men enter the cab.  With the loud sound of the horse’s hooves on the cobblestone streets, the cabbie is abruptly alarmed when a voice calls out th...

The Case of the Murder on Battersea Bridge News of the Times Episode 367 | 1844 8444 Battersea bridge London, and an attractive middle aged woman staggers towards the toll booth, clutching a handkerchief to her neck.  Helped gently to the ground, she is questioned as to who has done this to her.  “Dalmas”, she whispers. This story made all the papers in 1844, a feat that was not so very common for...

The Mystery of the Woman in the Woods - Scotland Yard Casebook News of the Times Episode 366 | 1908 1908 in a small upscale village in Kent.  Retired Major General Charles Luard, and his wife, Caroline, have gone on their daily walk, admiring the views as they do. Then they part ways: Charles heads to his golf club and Caroline heads back to the house for a planned afternoon tea with a friend. But...

Deadly Relations: Shocking In-Law Murders News of the Times Episode 365 | 1816 & 1898 In-laws – a potential subject of contention throughout time. In today’s episode we look at two cases where a member of the family has decided that the offending in-law has to go. Our first case from 1898 surrounds a father and son team who share the same lodging, the father being retired and being supported b...