1879 London murder mystery solved

AFP ^

[nuconvert]

A murder mystery dating back to 1879 has been finally resolved aftera skull unearthed in BBC legend David Attenborough's garden was formally recognised as that of a woman murdered by her maid 132 years ago.

Julia Martha Thomas, a wealthy widow aged 55, was killed by her 29-year-old housekeeper Kate Webster very close to Park Road in well-to-do Richmond, but her head was never found.

The case became known as the 'Barnes Mystery', which gripped London at the time.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Read “Thunderstruck” by Erik Larson for a great intertwining of Marconi’s invention radio and a Victorian murder mystery in London! It’s a great story. And all true, too.

[ClearCase_guy]

the cause of death as asphyxiation and head injury.

In some recent cases, precise cause of death has been more difficult to determine.

[ladyvet]

Webster, a convicted thief and fraudster, chopped up Thomas with an axe, boiled the remains and gave the dripping to local children to eat.

Well....yuck.

[tlb]

>>> Webster, a convicted thief and fraudster, chopped up Thomas with an axe, boiled the remains and gave the dripping to local children to eat.

Perhaps the inspiration for the story of Sweeney Todd.

As for the maid and her mistress, it’s understandable. The British class system of 1879 gave the underclass only a few options to get a head.

[meatloaf]

Except Marconi did not invent the radio.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

Can you imagine the police constable who originally answered the phone?

“Hello, this is David Attenborough. I was minding my roses in the backyard, when I discovered a human skull.”

“Riiiiight. Tell me, “Mister Attenborough”, or should I say “Sir David”, have we had a bit to drink today?”

“No, really, this is David Attenborough! And this is a real human skull!”

“Look, you. I’ve had a hard enough day as it is. I don’t need some snockered yob telling me about ‘is skulls what’s in his backyard. If you keep this up, I’ll send a couple constables around to ‘ave some words with you!”

“Oh, good. When can I expect them?”

“Oh, sod.”

[Rebelbase]

“The British class system of 1879 gave the underclass only a few options to get a head.”

*Groan*

[Polybius]

As for the maid and her mistress, it’s understandable. The British class system of 1879 gave the underclass only a few options to get a head.

Click here then double-click the red button

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

While in general the underclass to get a head the maid in question was known as a cut up!

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

While in general the underclass had little opportunity to get a head the maid in question was known as a cut up!(There fixed it.)

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Read the book and you’ll discover the deep politics and feuding going on at the time about just that. I oversimplified.

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

Webster, a convicted thief and fraudster, chopped up Thomas with an axe, boiled the remains and gave the dripping to local children to eat.

"Can I have some more, please?" (Oliver)

[SunkenCiv]

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[CodeToad]

"...get a head".

[El Sordo]

That would have been a good scene to have in Hot Fuzz.

[Doug in CA]

Audible groan! That was very good.

[ArmyTeach]

HmmmHMmmHmmHaaHaa - quietly chuckling.

[xrmusn]

Elementary, my Dear Watson, Elementary.

He did blow the case though, as he thought “The Butler did it”.

[MacMattico]

Kate Webster's great, great granddaughter has hired Jose Baez and the bird-flipping Cheney Mason to dispute the murder conviction and put forth the premise that the victim actually drown in the boiling pot on the stove in a horrible accident. Mr. Attenborough, by digging up the skull, disturbed the crime scene and tampered with evidence. Because the skull was hidden so well for 132 years, the conviction must be over turned because the DNA has deteriorated. Yes, Miss Webster is long since dead but the great, great granddaughter is booked on Nancy Grace and has received $200,000 from ABC news for pictures and an interview.