The Gibetted Ones - Wicked Wednesdays News of the Times Episode 268 | 1776 - 1832 Today’s episode of gibbeted ones looks at three cases where those found guilty of their crime are condemned to what was considered the worst death: gibbeting and hung for all to see as their bodies where slowly eaten by birds. Our first case from 1776 recounts the story of a butcher who wishes to see for himself if human flesh really does taste like pork… Our second case from 1815 recounts the tale of Anthony, a yo...
Mar 06, 2024•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Mysterious Disappearance of Mr Stanger Scotland Yard Casebook News of the Times Episode 267 | 1882 1882 Whitechapel and immigrants Mr Stanger and his wife, Elizabeth Stanger, start up what becomes a very successful bakery. It is so successful, additional help is needed. Enter family friend, Mr Fritz Stumm. Local gossips quickly start to whisper about the clear affection between Mrs Stanger and Mr Stumm. And then, quite abruptly, Mr Stanger vanishes! Within a week, Mr Stumm has left his wife ...
Mar 04, 2024•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast Bluebeard Bela Kiss - Serial Killer Saturdays News of the Times Episode 266 | 1912 - 1929? From 1912 Hungary, one of the worst serial killers, enticing women around the world with promises of marriage, began his horrific spree. Bela Kiss, popular with neighbours and always with plenty of money to spend, killed woman after woman, girl after girl, and then pickled them n alcohol or buried them around his house. Bodies were found in his hen house, shed, garden, and the surrounding woods as well as ...
Mar 02, 2024•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast Murder and Scandal in Wales - Frightful Fridays News of the Times Episode 265 | 1875 & 1892 1892 Abergavenny and frequent visitor of the local police, who has only just been released, is found dead in a heap with her throat cut all the way to the spine. As the country as a whole is still recovering from the nightmare of Jack the Ripper, there is an element of panic. Our second tale from 1875 was infamous in Wales at the time. The Anglesey Clerical Scandal started off as an investigation into...
Mar 01, 2024•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast corned: Jilted Partners and Vengeance - Wicked Wednesdays News of the Times Episode 264 | 1910 Rejection not being taken well is a theme that has not changed over time. In today’s episode we look at five cases involving jilted lovers and the vengeance they extract. Our first story from 1871 involves an older lodger and his attraction to the young maiden of the house who kindly declines. What happens is horror. Our second story involves a less murderous tale of a school mistress who is jilted twi...
Feb 28, 2024•34 min•Ep 265•Transcript available on Metacast The Notorious Case of Charles Peace - Murderous Mondays News of the Times Episode 263 | 1879 Charles Peace, a notorious figure in Victorian England, was infamous for his criminal activities as a master burglar and murderer. Born in Sheffield in 1832, Peace developed a knack for deception and disguise, earning him the moniker of the "man of a thousand faces." As a type of “Moriarty” character, despite his outward appearance as a well-dressed and respectable gentleman, Peace led a double...
Feb 26, 2024•45 min•Ep 263•Transcript available on Metacast The 10 Fold Bolton Murderess - Serial Killer Saturdays News of the Times Episode 261 | 1842 1842 Little Bolton, and there have been two unexpected successive deaths in the Eccles household. As Mrs Eccles goes to the factory to collect on the insurance policy of one of the dead, questions are asked. What unfolds is a stream of deaths dating back years to people within her immediate household. What was particularly interesting was that in most of the cases, no discernible motive could be found – t...
Feb 24, 2024•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast Murders in Cheshire - Frightful Fridays News of the Times Episode 260 | 1861 & 1881 Our first case from 1861 is the famous Martin Doyle case – one of the few prisoners who, quite unusually, was executed for attempted murder. The absolute repeated battering in the face of his victim who he left for dead was thwarted as she survived and managed to crawl into the road for help. As she gave evidence with difficulty at his trial, it was said her features were so mangled it was hard to believe she...
Feb 23, 2024•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast Love and Murder in 1700's - Wicked Wednesdays News of the Times Episode 259 | 1700s Love and Murder, a dark timeless theme. In today’s episode we jump back to American revolutionary times to look at three cases where the dark side of love combines with murder. 1721 and Matthew Clarke, in want of money, slays a barmaid. What made this crime so horrific is that he did it whilst kissing her. 1791 and “legal chastisement” spoils over to murder. An interesting case that gives a window into life ...
Feb 21, 2024•30 min•Ep 259•Transcript available on Metacast The Kilkenny Horror News of the Times Episode 258 | 1890 This case from 1890 County Kilkenny Ireland is horrific by any standard, The brutality of the killing was said to rival the ripper – justifiably so. Quiet Edward Hart invests all his spare time and any spare money he earns from fishing to upgrade the farm of his wife’s family. Then, they sell the farm without telling hm and he is booted off as a trespasser. Edmund utterly breaks and unleashes his terrible fury in an unexpected manner. A tr...
Feb 19, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 se...
Feb 17, 2024•42 min•Ep 257•Transcript available on Metacast 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 its day is a “did he or didn’t he” case with a known artist at the time . As police begin to investiga...
Feb 16, 2024•31 min•Ep 256•Transcript available on Metacast 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. Annie, a young girl of virtuous temperament, insists that they marry before the long boat ride there. Her...
Feb 14, 2024•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 before, Angerstein has begun siphoning off money from the company to pay off his own debts. His wife, w...
Feb 10, 2024•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 continents to try to avoid the police, with one of the murdering duo then falling for the second intended vic...
Feb 09, 2024•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 sometimes act as confidant to the family he served. Tom, it would seem, took his role to a new step. Ther...
Feb 09, 2024•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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? Scotland Yard became involved in this one and managed to see through the smoke and mirrors. Our seco...
Feb 07, 2024•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 servant, has returned – armed with a knife. What follows is a violent attack ending in a bloodbath. We take ...
Feb 05, 2024•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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. And then the series of mysterious deaths begins. Sarah’s case is not helped in that she seems to mov...
Feb 03, 2024•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 is believed to have killed off all 127 crew members. Our second case from 1884 took place in the Ca...
Feb 02, 2024•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 of horrific murders. But were they successful in keeping the ripper down to only five killings? In to...
Jan 31, 2024•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 horrific murders as well. The tale of Abbe Bruneau’s crimes would be considered salacious by most sta...
Jan 29, 2024•33 min•Ep 246•Transcript available on Metacast 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 watched die excruciatingly, and several family members. Dr Smethurst 1859. Married Dr Smethurst starts...
Jan 28, 2024•2 hr 22 min•Ep 245•Transcript available on Metacast 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 as farm help a few months before as was the norm at the time. We take a look at the crime, the invest...
Jan 27, 2024•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 to 245 convicts per floor with an average mortality rate of over 25%. We take a look at the history o...
Jan 26, 2024•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Bender and more! The question is an interesting one as we have heard from some of our subscribers the...
Jan 24, 2024•31 min•Ep 242•Transcript available on Metacast 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 unfolds is an astonishing tale of repeated attempts to kill 74 Alice Pearson which eventually succeed...
Jan 22, 2024•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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, there are echoes 100 years later of Gacy and Dahmer when reading the Edwardian highly suppressed acc...
Jan 20, 2024•30 min•Ep 240•Transcript available on Metacast 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 community band with boys or look to see justice done? An interesting case with a very surprising ending...
Jan 19, 2024•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Gabrelle Perron is being cheated upon with her husband having placed the new mistress in apartments across t...
Jan 17, 2024•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
