The Lonely Death of Janet Parker

In Birmingham in 1978, a deadly strain of smallpox escaped from a lab causing death and leaving the city in fear and to this day no-one knows how it happened - but podcast series The Lonely Death of Janet Parker has unearthed some startling new answers.Storyteller: Andy Richards, Audio Producer: Lucy Ryan, Executive Producer: Sam Coley, Narrator: Dermot O'Sullivan, Voice Actors: Dave Hill, Peter Smith, Gregory Leadbetter.

Last refreshed: July 16th, 2025 at 7:02 PM ⓘ

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Episodes

Episode 4: Aftermath

How Janet Parker caught smallpox is Birmingham's biggest mystery - we offer the most plausible solution yet. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 23, 2018•35 min

Episode 3: Isolation

The last days of victim Janet Parker and her dreadful death in an isolation hospital - effectively cut off from the world. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 23, 2018•35 min

Episode 2: EG34B

Thousands are vaccinated as fear grips the city and the world holds it breath amid fears that the virus may spread - those caught up in the drama recall their experiences. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 23, 2018•33 min

Episode 1: Variola Major

A brilliant Birmingham professor is driven to take his own life after discovering smallpox has leaked from his research lab, fatally infecting a colleague. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 23, 2018•28 min

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