Murderous Stories From the Stage News of the Times Episode 178 | 1850 & 1897 In today’s episode of Frightful Fridays, we look at two stories from the Victorian stage involving obsession and murder. Our first story centres on newly widowed Martha Sharpe who imagines herself in a new life with handsome popular actor of his day, James Elphinstone. Martha’s stalking of the famed actor turns deadly as she plots a way of making him her own... Our second story involves the well-known William Terris...
Oct 06, 2023•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast Fatal Attractions - Wicked Wednesdays News of the Times Episode 177 | 1845 - 1895 Today we look at stories that reveal a darker side of the Victorian age, where love has turned deadly. The fine upstanding quaker, John Tawell, with the inconvenient mistress on the side. The baronet’s son with a murderous mistress, Flora Davies, he may becoming tired of. Was it an accident or was it purposeful? And the famous cricketer, Edmund Kesteven, retired, who snaps on Christmas day with fatal consequences. ...
Oct 04, 2023•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast News of the Times Episode 176 | 1933 The Papin Sister Murderers ***Adult theme *** In the annals of true crime history, there are cases that continue to intrigue and shock us. Today, we journey back to a chilling and enigmatic tale that shook France to its core. It was the year 1933, a time of economic hardship, class struggle, and a society on the brink of change. And in the midst of it all, two sisters would become the centre of a gripping and disturbing story. Christine and Léa Papin, two see...
Oct 02, 2023•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Shapwick Poisoner - Sarah Freeman News of the Times Episode 175 | 1845 Sarah Freeman, from 1845, became notorious for the series of murders she committed on her own family. Unpitying and relentless, anyone who thwarted her or got in her way was disposed of including, her mother at least 1 child, a husband and a brother. Even to the very end, Sarah Freeman, the Shapwick Poisoner, was attempting get another brother to hang for her. In a historical context, Sarah Freeman, in her day, was as fam...
Sep 30, 2023•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Crumbles Murders - Part 2: Frightful Fridays News of the Times Episode 174 | 1920 This 1920 murder in the beauty spot of “Crumbles” on the Eastbourne seaside was the first of two murders that took place in the scenic area some 4 years apart. Lovely 19-year-old Irene Munro, on her first holiday on her own, goes missing. Within a few days, a boy on a picnic with his mother discovers a foot sticking out of the shingle beach. Her face had been so battered that she could only be identified by the...
Sep 29, 2023•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast News of the Times Episode 173 | 1911 The Mussoorie Mystery - A Locked Room Murder Mystery The Mussoorie Mystery is a famous locked room mystery that took place in Mussoorie India in 1911 at the opulent Savoy Hotel at the foothill of the Himalayas. Miss Frances Garnet-Orme, and her travelling companion, arrive to stay. Miss Orme is a noted spiritualist, and her companion has some local fame as a crystal gazer and clairvoyant. Unexpectedly, the companion leaves and Miss Orme is found murdered a fe...
Sep 27, 2023•29 min•Ep 173•Transcript available on Metacast News of the Times Episode 172 | 1935 The Jigsaw Murderer - Buck Ruxton: Murderous Mondays ***WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT *** Buck Ruxton, the genial, well liked local doctor, had a volatile relationship with his common law wife, Isabella Kerr, until one day, he utterly snapped. He killed her, and killed the nurse maid as well. Then, with surgical skill, he cut up the body parts into 70 pieces, whilst cutting away every identifying mark - every mole, scar - anything identifying - including the finger...
Sep 25, 2023•29 min•Ep 172•Transcript available on Metacast News of the Times Episode 171 | 1895 The Mansfield Massacre - Serial Killer Saturdays ***WARNING DISTURBING CONTENT*** The Mansfield Massacre involved the brutal slaying of a family of four, which, if he had been successful, would have killed 7. The brutality inflicted on Mary Reynolds by Henry Wright was said by the police to be worse than anything inflicted on any of the victims of the ripper murders. After the brutalisation and murder of the three others, the house was attempted to be burned ...
Sep 23, 2023•32 min•Ep 171•Transcript available on Metacast News of the Times Episode 170 | 1924 The Crumbles Murder - Part 1: Frightful Fridays In this episode, we delve into the gripping tale of 'The Crumbles Murders,' a haunting and tragic story that unfolded in 1920. In this Part 1 episode, we focus on the shocking murder of Emily Kaye by none other than Patrick Mahon. Set against the backdrop of Eastbourne's eerie Crumbles area, this story is a chilling blend of murder, mystery, and the macabre. We unravel the events leading up to Emi...
Sep 22, 2023•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast Murder by Starvation: Wicked Wednesdays In this episode, we plunge deep into the darkest and most harrowing cases from the annals of history where the murder was caused by the purposeful starvation of the victim. We explore the chilling tales of murder by the cruellest means imaginable. Throughout history, there have been cases where individuals met their untimely demise not through weapons or poison, but through a slow, agonizing process of starvation. In this episode, we'll uncover some o...
Sep 20, 2023•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast News of the Times Episode 168 | 1752 Infamous Killer Elizabeth Jeffries: Murderous Mondays In this episode, we delve into the enigmatic life of infamous Elizabeth Jeffries, a name that has resonated through the annals of history. Elizabeth Jeffries, infamous murderer – her crime took place around the same time as Mary Blandy (episode 139). What makes her tale so unusual is her motivation. This psychological thriller offers several tantalising reasons for the murder of her uncle. Her story incorp...
Sep 18, 2023•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast News of the Times Episode 167 | 1894 Martha Needle - The Serial Poisoner: Serial Killer Saturday Martha Needle was an Australian woman who became infamous for her involvement in a series of murders that occurred in the 1890’s in Australia. Martha is a classic example of a female serial poisoner. Martha Needle's crimes revolved around poisoning family members and anyone who got in her way to achieve what she wanted – whether this was financial gain, freedom from commitments or setting her ey...
Sep 16, 2023•31 min•Ep 167•Transcript available on Metacast News of the Times Episode 166 | 1886 - 1946 Lancashire Murder Stories: Frightful Fridays ***WARNING DISTURBING STORIES*** In today’s episode of Frightful Fridays, we look at 3 Lancashire murder stories: The famous Mary Ann Britland story of unfulfilled lust, Methodically, Mary Ann kills off everyone in her path to get the man of her dreams, including an inconvenient child. The story of the battered to death rich spinster, the medically termed dwarf and the beloved terrier hung on by a wire on a ...
Sep 15, 2023•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast News of the Times Episode 165 | 1810 - 1924 Curious Cases of Scotland Yard: Wicked Wednesdays In today’s episode of Wicked Wednesdays, we take a look at some of cases of Scotland Yard. Starting with the horrific Ratcliffe Highway murders with the Bow Street Runners – the precursor to Scotland Yard, we move onto the unsolved torso case found in the cellar of New Scotland Yard building site. From there the famous Bermondsey horror and the Manning’s capture by Scotland Yard, and onto the ripper cas...
Sep 13, 2023•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast News of the Times Episode 164 | 1903 The Peasenhall Mystery: Murderous Mondays The "Peasenhall Mystery" was an unsolved murder case that took place in the village of Peasenhall in Suffolk, England, in 1902. The case revolves around the murder of a young woman named Rose Harsent who, it is discovered, is 6 months pregnant. Her throat had been slashed, and a failed attempt at burning her had been made. The prime suspect, William Harsent, is a married church elder with 6 children. In toda...
Sep 11, 2023•35 min•Ep 164•Transcript available on Metacast News of the Times Episode 163 | 1921 The French Bluebeard - Henri Desire Landru: Serial Killer Saturdays Henri Désiré Landru was a notorious French serial killer who gained infamy as "The Bluebeard of Gambais" or "The French Bluebeard." He is one of the most well-known serial killers in French criminal history. Landru's crimes took place during and after World War I, primarily between 1914 and 1919. He targeted vulnerable women, often widows or spinsters, who had placed ...
Sep 09, 2023•44 min•Ep 163•Transcript available on Metacast News of the Times Episode 162 | 1760 and 1825 Aristocracy: Murder and Scandal - Frightful Fridays Laurence, Earl Ferrer, had a wicked temper. The murder he committed was so premeditated and considered so cruel for its time, there could be no pardon by rank, even as judged by The House of Lords, his peers. Instead he was doomed to swing at the scaffold of the commoners. A beautiful heiress worth millions with a wide range of suitors to choose from, including the future king William IV. The choice...
Sep 08, 2023•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast News of the Times Episode 161 | 1726-1784 Stories of Burnt at the Stake: Wicked Wednesdays In this episode of stories of burnt at the stake, we look at cases for petty treason: a murderous wife and her unfortunate husband with the accompanying punishment of being burnt at the stake. We start with the infamously barbaric crime by wild girl Catherine Hayes. We follow this with the story of Elizabeth Herring. Was the murder purposeful or accidental? And we end with the terrible murder of the husban...
Sep 06, 2023•36 min•Ep 161•Transcript available on Metacast News of the Times Episode 160 | 1923 The Courtesan Who Got Away With Murder: Murderous Mondays Marguerite Alibert Fahmy, also known as Marguerite Alibert, was a French socialite and courtesan. Her life was associated with scandal and intrigue due to her relationships with several prominent men, including royalty and nobility, most notably the future King Edward VIII. Marguerite Alibert married Egyptian aristocrat Ali Kamel Fahmy Bey – it was a tumultuous relationship which ended in his death at ...
Sep 04, 2023•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast News of the Times Episode 159 | 1898 The French Ripper - Joseph Vacher : Serial Killer Saturdays Joseph Vacher, also known as "The French Ripper" or "The Killer of Little Shepherds," was a notorious French serial killer and criminal. He operated for approximatley 4 years across the French countryside and is known for his gruesome and violent crimes. Between 1894 and 1897, Vacher embarked on a horrifying murder spree across the French countryside. He primarily targeted young s...
Sep 02, 2023•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast News of the Times Episode 158 | 1738 - 1895 Stories of Child Murderers : Frightful Fridays In this episode of Frightful Fridays, we explore historic accounts of child murderers. We start with the 10-year-old boy in 1738 who decides to burn his whole family rather than slit their throats. From there, we jump to 1820 and the young girl who decides to kill her mother in order to keep a boyfriend from jilting her. In 1831 a 14-year-old boy decides randomly to kill a young boy of 13. Then the horrifi...
Sep 01, 2023•50 min•Transcript available on Metacast News of the Times Episode 157 | 12th-21st c The Haunting of Leap Castle: Wicked Wednesdays In the annals of Irish history, is there a more haunted location than Leap Castle? We explore its bloody history, some of the hauntings and strange events that were recorded in archived newspaper reports: the elemental, the Red Lady, the Bloody Chapel, midnight howling, disembodied screams and more. The Hauntings of Leap Castle, and the associated murders within, are explored in today’s episode. Hosted by ...
Aug 30, 2023•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast News of the Times Episode 156 | 1935 The East Cliff Mallet Murder A once famous now retired architect. His beautiful 35 years younger wife and the new handsome 18 year old chauffeur and handyman. What could go wrong? In this story we look at the killing of Francis Rattenbury – who did it? Was it his beautiful artistic wife Alma Rattenbury, or the nice young local lad George Stoner. Set in the wealthy East Cliff area of Bournemouth, worlds collide leading to a dreadful murder and more tragedy to ...
Aug 28, 2023•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast News of the Times Episode 155 | 1956 The Merry Widow of Windy Nook: Serial Killer Saturdays It is 1957 and Mary Elizabeth Wilson keeps marrying men who then conveniently die. Of her 4 husbands, 2 of her newly acquired husbands die within 15 days of the marriage to Mary. A true female bluebeard of her day, Mary Wilson was nicknamed the Merry Widow of Windy Nook for her gallows humour stating things like saving the excess sandwiches at her wedding reception for her new husband’s impending funeral ...
Aug 26, 2023•32 min•Ep 155•Transcript available on Metacast News of the Times Episode 154 | 1764-1766 Forgotten Fridays 1764-1766 In today’s episode, we look at a story that consumed both sides of the English Channel – the murderous midwife whose house was a grave sight for over 50 babies. The punishment for her crimes was unique with calls for the same type of punishment to be brought over into England. Runway indentured servants, space for additional lunatic patients, blood letting and stagecoach schedules for Christmas are in the mix. The episode fini...
Aug 25, 2023•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast News of the Times Episode 153 | 1800's The World of the Victorian Scam Artist: Wicked Wednesdays Although scam artists have been around since time immemorial, The Victorian era the rise of various types of scam artists, fraudsters, and beggars. With the divide between rich and poor at an extreme level, individuals used various tactics to exploit the vulnerabilities of their targets and make money through deception. In today’s episode we look specifically at the Victorian version of the 21st...
Aug 23, 2023•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast News of the Times Episode 152 | 1832 - 1879 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...
Aug 22, 2023•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast News of the Times Episode 151 | 1922 The Case of Herbet Rowse Armstrong: Murderous Mondays In 1922, Herbert Rowse Armstrong was a well-respected solicitor in the quaint town of Hay-on-Wye. A slightly built dapper man, on the surface he seems devoted to his wife Katherine who is known for browbeating her husband and publicly humiliating him. But then, Katherine becomes very unwell, and a business rival also becomes violently ill after eating a scone handed to him by Armstrong. We take a look at t...
Aug 21, 2023•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast Robert Hitchens - The Man Who Sank the Titanic | ep150 | 1882 - 1940 Robert Hitchens: The Man Who Sank the Titanic: Eccentric Sundays Robert Hitchens – The Man Who Sank the Titanic - carried that title with him for the rest of his life. Besides driving the Titanic into an iceberg, questions of his actual culpability arose as well as whether he purposefully allowed drowning passengers to die rather than attempt to save those he could. The event haunted his life ending in an attempted murder and t...
Aug 20, 2023•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast News of the Times Episode 149 | 1905-1912 Robert Hicks Murray - The Eastbourne Tragedy Robert Hicks Murray, or is it Robert Money? Bigamist with two sisters and a third he was grooming, his actions tragically ended the lives of four, with an attempt then to set all of the bodies on fire. There is also the cold case of his youngest murdered sister who was found with a scarf thrust down her throat before her mangled dead body was thrown off a train. Robert Hicks Murray is the subject of this episo...
Aug 19, 2023•34 min•Ep 149•Transcript available on Metacast 
