Terrible Theodore Gardelle - Murderous Mondays News of the Times Episode 53 | 1840 It is 1761 London, and Theodore Gazelle, a Swiss painter drawing inspiration from his visit to England, is slighted by his landlady’s non-appreciation of his work. Words are exchanged leading up to a violent incident. Gazelle’s actions after the event drenches a room in blood and takes workmen hired by the police to find the various body parts sprinkled around the house. Art detractors beware! A murder and dismemb...
Nov 27, 2023•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Inn of Death - Serial Killer Saturdays News of the Times Episode 207 | 1831 It is 1831 and we are in France. Travellers in the Ardeche passing the Red Inn are vanishing along their way. Neighbours complain of terrible smells being regularly emitted from the Red Inn chimney. Under breath mutterings speak of body parts being used in stews and pates. The isolated Red Inn run by the Martin family became legend as 109 witnesses attested to diabolical events surrounding visitors to the Inn and the...
Nov 25, 2023•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast News of the Times Episode 206 | 1882 A seemingly average Victorian family in 1882 is anything but! The scandal filled family, with the genteel façade, holds dark secrets between the various family members with behaviour from all parties that would raise eyebrows even in today’s more jaded society. The case, with its various permutations shocked the Victorian public at the time as once again, it would seem it is the poor housemaid who ends up as the victim in the volatile family dynamics. Scandal...
Nov 24, 2023•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Dark Side of Lighthouses - Wicked Wednesdays News of the Times Episode 205 | 1755-1933 In today’s episode we look at some of the dark history surrounding lighthouses. Madness, fatal accidents, fire and poisoning are only some of the many ways to die in a lighthouse. We start with the conundrum – what to do with a dead body in a remote lighthouse? Throwing it into the sea may very well have other believe it was murder once the relief boat came. In the famous case of 1801, Thomas Howells come ...
Nov 22, 2023•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast Mr Dove and The Wizard - Murderous Mondays News of the Times Episode 204 | 1855 In 1855, William Dove, a troubled man, is convinced that the wizard he had been seeing for some two years is authentic and can help him to improve his life. When the wizard proclaims that William’s future holds a new wife – an attractive, auburn haired beauty with money, William sees the likely prospect in his neighbourhood and gets to work. The only stumbling block – he has a current wife standing in his way. This s...
Nov 20, 2023•36 min•Ep 204•Transcript available on Metacast Jonathan Balls : Kill Count: 22 News of the Times Episode 203 | 1846 Today’s episode of serial killer Saturdays reviews the case of Jonathan Balls from a small seaside village in 1846. Jonathan is not particularly liked within the small village, but he seems close with his family. Sadly though, a long list of unfortunate deaths dating back 20 years seems to blight his family in their village of no more than 300 people. As death after death occurs, pressure from the small community insist on and ...
Nov 18, 2023•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast Scandal, Murder and the Duke of Cumberland News of the Times Episode 202 | 1810 & 1833 Ernest Augustus, The Duke of Cumberland, had a spectacular chequered life. In the time of King George III, The Duke of Cumberland was generally reviled by press and public, and some would say his own royal family. He had many a scandal including an alleged attack in the dead of night with a cutlas by a supposed disgruntled valet who then allegedly improbably killed himself so deeply he nearly severed his o...
Nov 17, 2023•36 min•Ep 202•Transcript available on Metacast The Missing News of the Times Episode 53 | 1840 Today’s episode looks at three cases where people have gone missing. Our first case with the Reverend Speke from 1868 investigates this notorious vanishing of the good Reverend. His disappearance made national and international headlines at the time. How he is discovered is almost a twist of fate. Our second story quickly reviews the terrible missing children of West ham. Our third story takes a look at the famous case of the vanishing lighthouse k...
Nov 15, 2023•38 min•Ep 201•Transcript available on Metacast The Mysterious Murder of Georgie Moore Murderous Mondays News of the Times Episode 200 | 1881 This death of seven-year-old Georgie Moore in 1881, found strangled and thrown into the river some distance from her home, is tragic in its own right. But as we delve into the case, the back story of the possible motive for her killing gains in horror. Was this a revenge killing against a family from a dumped mistress? Was the father with the complicated love life involved? And why was her body found in...
Nov 13, 2023•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Plumstead Poisoner - Serial Killer Saturdays News of the Times Episode 199 | 1833 In today’s episode, it is 1833 Plumstead and wealthy and hale George Bodle has his usual morning breakfast of coffee and toast. His wife, still in bed, has a cup of coffee brought up to her. The servants boil the coffee grinds a second time for their allotted coffee. Then the charwoman takes the coffee grounds to boil a third time for her daughter and 7 children, who did not like the look of them, so did not bo...
Nov 11, 2023•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast Murderous Stories from Suffolk - Frightful Fridays News of the Times Episode 198 | 1851 & 1920 In today’s episode, we are in Suffolk investigating two grisly murders that took place there. In our first story, it is 1851 and pretty milk maid Mary Baker has been stabbed openly at a county fair, by her master, well to do farmer John Mickleburgh. We take a look at the antecedents to the crime and the reason why she was so violently murdered. Our second story from 1920 is both disturbing and shoc...
Nov 10, 2023•30 min•Ep 198•Transcript available on Metacast Spectral Sleuths - Ghost Quest for Justice News of the Times Episode 197 | 1749 & 1828 In today’s episode we look at two cases of spectral sleuths – ghosts who come back to help solve their own murder – from 1749 and 1828. Our first case of a haunting to solve a murder takes place in Aberdeenshire when a farmer’s servant is visited by a ghost informing hm of the location of his bones and requesting to be interred properly so he can rest. The farmer’s servant was unrelated and did not know th...
Nov 08, 2023•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast The New Cross Murder Mystery News of the Times Episode 196 | 1890 The New Cross Mystery was one of the names given in the papers of the finding of Emma Townsend, and her particular friend, William De la Motte, in her bedroom, dead by prussic poisoning. Emma’s husband, Dr Townsend is away. Was it a suicide pact? Or was this something more sinister? And what of the strange injury and death at the Townsend residence of a dear friend 5 weeks prior? The intriguing case of the New Cross Mystery if tod...
Nov 06, 2023•36 min•Ep 196•Transcript available on Metacast Helen Jegado - The Serial Killer Nun News of the Times Episode 195 | 1852 Join us on a chilling journey through the life of Helen Jagard, the deadly nun who left a trail of murder and theft wherever she went. From her humble beginnings as a peasant orphan to her twisted life as a serial killer, By the time Helene was finally caught, it is believed she had killed 42 people with estimates of up to 60 murdered by Helene. Helene Jegado, the serial killer Nun, is today’s episode of Serial Killer Satu...
Nov 04, 2023•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast Scandal and Murder Stories from the Stage News of the Times Episode 194 | 1825 & 1895 Scandal and murder stories from the world of the theatre consumed the masses in Victorian Times. Today we look at two stories of the day. Edmund Kean, within England, is still remembered as one of the premier actors of his day, most notably for his performances of Shakespeare. Kean’s private life seems to have been equally turbulent. A very public scandal with a married woman - his best friend’s wife – ensu...
Nov 03, 2023•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast Housemaid Stories of Betrayal and Murder News of the Times Episode 193 | 1824 - 1893 Housemaids made up almost 40% of the female workforce at one point. Today’s episode looks at the unsuspecting dangers lurking in being a housemaid. From deciding to receive or not receive the attentions from members of the household, or going up in flames – a regular Victorian horror, or being murdered as an eye witness to the primary crime – being a housemaid was filled with potential danger. Covering stories b...
Nov 01, 2023•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast Georgian Ghosts, Apparitions and Witches News of the Times Episode 192 | 1711 - 1739 Today’s episode of ghosts, apparitions, and witches recount stories from the newspapers of over 300 years ago. As England was being governed by a series of George’s (I and II), sky spectral battles indicating doom, talking dogs, hauntings by dead children and the occasional witch were making the news in the papers. Oh yes and let’s not forget the very loud ghost in parliament whose manifestations interfered with...
Oct 30, 2023•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast Families Who Kill Families News of the Times Episode 53 | 1840 in today’s episode we look at two stories of families attempting to kill another family, reminiscent of the American saga of the Hatfields and McCoys,. In 1825 England, The Neal family are beholden to the Hales family. The work relationship between the two families is fractured and the mother of the Neal family owes money to the Hales family but is unable to pay. The Neal family plan a way out of their troubles. In 1823, in County Co...
Oct 28, 2023•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast Murderous Stories from Cheshire News of the Times Episode 190 | 1844 - 1864 Today’s episode looks at three murderous stories form Cheshire between 1844 and 1863. In our first story from 1844, Mary Gallop is in love with a young man who has invited her to Liverpool for Christmas. Her stern pious father says no. Mary does not take no for an answer. In our second story from 1856 homeless William Jackson has had two of his young children arrive unexpectedly. They are without shelter, stockings and s...
Oct 27, 2023•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast News of the Times Episode 53 | 1840 Historical Crime Enigmas In today’s episode we look at 2 shocking historical crimes of their day – one which remains unsolved and the other which becomes resolved 41 years later. In 1843, Harriet Monckton, a pious and steady young lady of 23, is found dead in the church privy. Her body is saturated with prussic acid – more than 30 times the amount needed to kill - but there is no vial found near her, thereby ruling out possible suicide. In 1919, attractive new...
Oct 25, 2023•39 min•Ep 189•Transcript available on Metacast Bad Daniel Good - The Murderous Butcher News of the Times Episode 188 | 1842 In 1842 the horrific butchering of Jane Jones, followed by his attempts to burn her body parts in a fireplace sent shockwaves through the city. The culprit was known, but after a humiliating escape from police, Daniel Good absconds. Nine police divisions are sent out to scour the city of London for the culprit. But the elusive Mr Good manages to repeatedly keep himself just out of reach of the police until finally captu...
Oct 23, 2023•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast Serial Killer Children -- Two Elizabeths and a Mary News of the Times Episode 187 | 1810 - 1867 In today’s episode of Serial Killer Saturdays, we look at three murder cases involving children under the age of 18. The stories take place between 1810 and 1867. As these are children, we have lowered the bar of serial killer label to two murders or murder attempts. In one of our two murder cases, Mary, in her new blended family, is alleged to have killed her two infant brothers. In our two other mur...
Oct 21, 2023•36 min•Ep 187•Transcript available on Metacast The Notorious Murders at Yarmouth News of the Times Episode 186 | 1900 & 1912 In today’s episode of frightful Fridays we are in Yarmouth 1900 and 1912 as we delve into the mysterious double murders that took place there. Pretty Mary Jane is found strangled with her own bootlace and left on the sand dunes of Yarmouth Beach in 1900. Living there under an assumed identity, her true identity and killer are eventually traced. But, 12 years later, a similar crime takes place with the body found on...
Oct 20, 2023•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast News of the Times Episode 185 | 1859 The Life and Trial of Dr Smethurst The case of Dr Smethurst in Richmond was a sensation in its day as it appeared to many that he had gotten away with it and had actually profited from murder. He originally married a woman 20 years older than himself and it is implied that he was unhappy. Then , whilst in his 50’s, as his wife is in her 70’s, a torrid affair with a woman 10 years younger than himself who, conveniently, is independently wealthy. Their bigamous...
Oct 18, 2023•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast William Sheward - The Dissector: Murderous Mondays News of the Times Episode 53 | 1840 1851 Norwich was terrified by people finding flesh and bone body parts sprinkled liberally across the city. Children playing, dogs walking, casual strollers all came across various body parts in different sizes and shapes around the city. Fast forward 18 years and a man, physically frail and mentally broken, goes to the police station to turn himself in. Today’s Murderous Monday’s episode of true crime looks a...
Oct 16, 2023•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Walworth Murderer - William Godfrey Youngman: Serial Killer Saturdays News of the Times Episode 183 | 1860 Serial Killer William Godfrey Youngman – The Walworth Murderer – has a plan. In this episode, we recount the plan through Godfrey’s actual letters as he woos and charmingly convinces his target to fall into step with his wishes. This story also has a surprising twist with what looks to be a setup to one murder becoming a gruesome bloodbath, making William Godfrey Youngman -The Walworth ...
Oct 14, 2023•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast News of the Times Episode 182 | 1874 & 1878 Infamous Murders in Wales: Frightful Fridays Beautiful Wales has had its own share of Infamous murders which rocked the respective communities at the time. Our first murder story from 1874 involves a known liar and deception artist James Gibbs. Gibbs has latched onto kind-hearted and much older spinster Susan Ann Ingram and has married her and then, effectively, dumped her. But Susan does not understand this and follows him. Her body, in a ditch, w...
Oct 13, 2023•51 min•Transcript available on Metacast News of the Times Episode 181 | 1694 - 1909 Notorious Cases of Family Annihilations ***DISTURBING CONTENT*** Today’s episode of Wicked Wednesdays looks at three stories where a family was utterly annihilated. Parents, partners, aunts, uncles, children – no one was safe. Our first story from 1694 looks at infamous Thomas Austin as recounted from the Newgate Calendar. Our second story from Germany in 1866 looks at the infamous Timm Thode annihilations – a feat he seemed to be almost proud of. Our ...
Oct 11, 2023•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast News of the Times Episode 53 | 1840 The Eltham Murder Mystery: Murderous Mondays The Eltham Murder Mystery of 1871 involves pregnant Jane Clouson and her “young man”, Edward “Ned” Pook, who is none other than the son of the head of the household from which she has just been dismissed. Pretty Jane Clouson is ecstatic to receive a letter from her Ned wishing to meet with her that night to give her some tremendous news. Jane is excited and tells her friends and family about her planned meeting with...
Oct 09, 2023•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast Martin Dumollard: The Maid Killer - Serial Killer Saturdays News of the Times Episode 179 | 1862 Martin Dumollard, renowned in French history, is infamous for a series of gruesome murders that is believed to have taken place in France between 1855 to 1861. The case was significant in French criminal history and attracted widespread international attention. Dumollard, posing as a head gardener of a chateau, would seek out vulnerable young girls, working as maids, and offer them a position at a ch...
Oct 07, 2023•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
