News of the Times - Unlocking the vaults of historical crime

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...

Murder at Ireland's Eye News of the Times Episode 1852 | 256 We are in 1851 Ireland and miniature artist William Burke Kirwan and his lovely wife are on holiday in the beautiful coastal town of Howth.  A day with picnic is planned at the islet Ireland’s Eye where the boat drops them off.  They are alone.  At the designated pick-up time of 8 pm, there is no Mrs Kirwan. This sensational case in...

Stories of Fatal Betrayal News of the Times Episode 255 | 1887 & 1901 In today’s episode, we look at two cases where love takes a sinister turn into fatal betrayal. In our first case from 1887 Preston, a young couple who have been dating several months, decide to make the bold move of giving up their domestic service jobs in England and move to America for a fresh start and a fresh life.  Anni...

The Eight Fold Murderer - Serial Killer Saturdays News of the Times Episode 253 | 1924 Within Germany, the case of Fritz Angerstein, the Eight-Fold Murderer, is still remembered today. The brutal slayings take place in a rural village in Westphalia Germany in 1924.  Angerstein and his sickly wife live in a large company house which has two office rooms with staff on the bottom floor.  Some years b...

The Bloody Trunk Case News of the Times Episode 254 | 1889 This case, from 1889 and on the heels of Jack the Ripper, became an international crime drama of its day!  A murderous couple has a plan to extract money from wealthy older men by enticing them with the charms of a young woman. However, this plan involved a noose, a pulley system, a body bag and a trunk. This killer couple crossed continen...

The Murderous Court Jester - Frightful Fridays News of the Times Episode 252 | 1650's In today’s episode, we are in Cumbria sometime in the 17th century, at Muncaster Castle owned by the Pennington family.  A favoured servant, Thomas Skelton, is with them. Historically, many a tale exists of Tom Skelton who could be the original killer clown.  As the court jester, his job was to amuse and som...

Tales of Murderous Victorian Police - Wicked Wednesdays News of the Times Episode 53 | 1840 Our first case from 1860 is a robbery and murder that then unfurls into a tale even more nefarious.  Accusations are made as to who the culprit is with a view to getting their hands on the £300 reward money.  But are they telling the truth or are they framing another for the murder they themselves committed...

Terrible Thomas Simmmons News of the Times Episode 250 | 1807 Huddesdon, Hertfordshire in 1807 is a quiet little hamlet.  The Boreham family are having a merry family gathering with relatives and a family friend who has come to visit.  In the meantime, Thomas Simmons, an angry young man who has been let go due to his violent temper and his unwanted and inappropriate attentions to the family servan...

The Female Bluebeard - Serial Killer Saturdays  News of the Times Episode 249 | 1843 This story from 1843 was considered shocking in its time. Sarah Dazley (Daiseley) was attractive, flirtatious, and strong willed.  Having seen her mother use her own charms with men to get ahead, it would seem that Sarah had learned by example. As was usual at the time, Sarah married young and had a child with him...

Murder and Cannibalism - Frightful Fridays News of the Times Episode 248 | 1845 - 1888 In today’s episode we are looking at three cases of human beings placed under the harshest of conditions and the murder and documented cannibalism that ensued. Our first case from 1845 is the doomed attempt to find the Northwest passage. Scurvy, food poisoning, and ultimately cannibalism in the arctic eventually...

Forgotten Ripper Victims - Wicked Wednesdays News of the Times Episode 247 | 1888-1891 Historically, there has been much speculation regarding possible murders beyond the ripper “canonical five”.  At the time, the police were highly motivated and pressured to give an appearance that they had a grip on the killings and that their counter actions were having a positive impact in reducing the number...

The Dark Secrets of Evil Abbe Bruneau News of the Times Episode 246 | 1894 Evil Abbe Bruneau – a name still remembered in France!  In 1894, in a village located in Brittany, an abbe of the local church is found dead in a well, severely battered.  It would appear that logs had been thrown on top of him once he was in the well. What unfolds is a tale of debauchery, arson, scandal, forgery, and a few...

Doctors of Death - History Compilation News of the Times Episode 53 | 1840 In today’s history compilation, we look at four doctors of death: Dr William Palmer -the “Prince of Poisoners” 1855.  Referenced by Sherlock Holmes, Dr Palmer loved to gamble thereby requiring large amounts of money.  Palmer worked his way through acquaintances unfortunate to have been waylaid onto his path, friends who he...

Child Mass Murderer - Marcel Redureau News of the Times Episode 244 | 1913 In today’s episode of Serial Killer Saturdays, a small village near Nantes is shaken to its core in 1913 with the wholesale slaughter of a family.  All but one member of the household are systematically slaughtered – the mother being 8 months pregnant. The culprit rapidly confesses – a 15 year old lad who had been taken on...

Prison Hulk Horrors News of the Times Episode 243 | 1776 - 1857 In the hell that was England’s prisons, one type of incarceration which was deemed even worse than Newgate, was the prison hulk.  Created as an emergency measure to cope with the surge of convicts now no longer able to be shipped to the colonies due to the American Revolution, these old, decommissioned vessels were fitted to house up...

Bloodthirsty Women in History News of the Times Episode 242  | 1450 - 1905 In 1905, the question is asked in the papers: Are Women more Bloodthirsty Than Men? This news article looks at several ruthless female killers in history and thre crimes they committed including murderers: American Belle Gunness French Jeanne Weber American Jane Toppan French Madame de Brinvilliers Catherine de Medici Kate...

The Mother-in-law Murder in Armagh, Northern Ireland News of the Times Episode 241 | 1905 In a small town near Armagh, Northern Ireland, in 1905, Isaac Pearson is in his cell awaiting his trial regarding assaulting a girl.  Contemplating his probable doom, he approaches the magistrates with information regarding a murder – the murder of his mother by his wife, Sarah Ann and his sister Agnes. What...

The Monster Fritz Haarman - Serial Killer Saturdays News of the Times Episode 53 | 1840 ***WARNING DISTURBING CONTENT*** In the annals of crime, Fritz Haarman could be regarded as one of the worst killers of all time, or so said the English papers in 1923 as the horrific full nature of his many murders became unveiled.  His case was deemed worse than England’s Jack the Ripper in the press.  Indeed...

Murders in County Durham News of the Times Episode 53 | 1840 Our first case of 1884 involves the actual stoning to death of Sergeant Smith in the tightly-knit colliery town of Butterknowle.  There has been bad blood between Sergeant Smith and one of the local lads.  Three young men are quickly picked up as suspects.  The case itself was difficult – who had actually killed Sgt Smith?  And would the...

Murder & "The Unwritten Law" News of the Times Episode 238 | 1922 & 1926 The “Unwritten Law”, when a person can take vengeance on another for a slur upon the family honour, is very un-English.  It is more to be expected from the French, although it is now called “Crimes of Passion”.  France is indeed the location of our first case which comes from Bordeaux in 1922.  Actress Gabre...

The Gildart Street Tragedy News of the Times Episode 237 | 1894 In today’s episode it is 1893 and the Walber marriage is in trouble.  The couple, who are both in their 2nd marriage, tend to drink, further exacerbating their troubled union.  As John’s ex-partner moves back into town 17 after their initial breakup, he looks to renew that relationship.  His wife, Margaret, has a violently jealous nat...

The French Ripper - Joseph Phillipe News of the Times Episode 236 | 1871 In 1888, as London grappled with the vicious and what was regarded as the unprecedented horrific violence of an unknown killer prowling the streets, the press raised the case of Joseph Phillipe of some 25 years previously in France who they dubbed “The French Ripper”. At the time, Paris dubbed their unknown assailant prowling...

The Moat Farm Mystery - Frightful Fridays News of the Times Episode 235 | 1903 The Moat Farm Murder in 1903 took over the headlines nationally. A wastrel conman, a wealthy spinster, illicit affairs, forged cheques, and the spinster’s mysterious disappearance all helped to grip the public.  When it was discovered that the charged murderer had gone through two wives in quick succession who died myst...

Murder by Burying Alive - Wicked Wednesdays News of the Times Episode 234 | 1870 - 1922 In today’s episode of Wicked Wednesdays, we look at three cases where the victim was buried alive. Our first case from 1870 is a story of love and vengeance as Mr Triffit is dumped by his long term mistress.  How to get back at her?  Report to the police  that they both killed and buried alive their three illeg...

Scotland Yard Casebook: Murder at Road Hill House News of the Times Episode 233 | 1860 In today’s episode we are in rural Wiltshire in 1860 where a dreadful murder has taken place with a three year old boy who has had his throat slashed to the spine with a furtive attempt to then stuff his body down the toilet head first. Like a classic locked room mystery, only those in the household could have c...