Uncovering the Haunting Truth Behind the Walsoken Tragedy Case
News of the Times Episode 474 | 1885
Welcome to today’s episode — where we go back to the year 1885, deep in the countryside of Norfolk, England...
Bathsheba Goodale bursts from her home in a panic, pleading for help — her husband, Robert, is threatening to kill her. The village, all too familiar with the couple’s long-standing and volatile relationship, watches as things seem to settle once again... for now.
But then — Bathsheba vanishes.
As neighbors and family frantically search for her, Robert appears oddly calm, repeatedly insisting she’s fine. That is, until someone notices the water drawn from the well on their property... has turned a disturbing shade of red.
This chilling case of murder would shock the village — but what truly made it unforgettable was the botched execution that followed, where the prisoner was accidentally decapitated in front of onlookers.
And in today’s "Further Particulars" — a bizarre discovery from around the same time: a buried doctor is found to have been secretly replaced by... a 200-pound hog. Was it a prank? A cover-up? Or, as many claimed, an act of divine intervention?
This is one for the books — and for the cemetery records.
Hosted by Robin Coles.

#NewsofTheTimes #truecrimedocumentary #truecrime #truecrimepodcast #victorian #history

Patreon: patreon.com/NewsoftheTimesHistoricalCrime
YouTube Chronicle of the Times: @chronicleofthetimes2024

EPISODE
If you like this, here are links to some other recommended videos:
1880: The Shocking Case of Miss Maclean | EP360
https://youtu.be/0v5BCjOFEj8
1884: Love, Jealousy, and Murder | EP361
https://youtu.be/KLjcAcYc9ik
1889: The Mystery of the Hansom Cab Murder | EP368
https://youtu.be/OObOZ1J_-Mk
1884: The Vienna Murders - Serial Killer Hugo Schenk | EP387
https://youtu.be/oKINEcehrdA
1887: The Horrific Case of Lydia Green | EP395
https://youtu.be/mITEfcw9T4U
1880 - 1885: Disturbing Cases of Severed Heads | EP397
https://youtu.be/2y4MQWn4eV8
1808 & 1888: The Butcher Bichel - The Butcher and the Ripper | EP408
https://youtu.be/NL-BKDIkpYk
1888 - 1925: A Round Robin of December Murders | EP417
https://youtu.be/wnIVPmRuEUY

***
Who are News of the Times?
We are

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

Thanks for listening! You can also connect with us on
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If you would like to donate, we love coffee! Warmly appreciated :-) | https://www.buymeacoffee.com/newsofthetd

Uncovering The Shocking Truth Behind Edinburgh's 1818 Murder
News of the Times Episode 473 | 1818
In today’s episode, we travel back to Edinburgh in 1818, where the chilling case of a missing 8-year-old boy unfolds. When his body is finally discovered, the gruesome truth is undeniable—he has been in the hands of surgeons, used for dissection.
Regular viewers will know that the Hollywood version of Burke and Hare as mere grave robbers is pure fiction. In reality, they were ruthless serial killers who preyed on society’s most vulnerable, smothering their victims to leave no trace before selling the bodies to medical schools for dissection and the training of future doctors.
But this disturbing case predates Burke and Hare by a full decade and was infamous in its time. Could it have even served as inspiration for their later crimes?
We’ll uncover the background, the crime, the verdict, and the eerie conclusion to this macabre tale from Georgian Scotland.
And if that wasn’t creepy enough, today’s second story takes us to Ireland, where someone has made the grave mistake of cutting down a sacred banshee bush—unleashing the relentless, ghostly wails of a very displeased spirit.
Hosted by Robin Coles.

#NewsofTheTimes #truecrimedocumentary #truecrime #truecrimepodcast #victorian #history

Patreon: patreon.com/NewsoftheTimesHistoricalCrime
YouTube Chronicle of the Times: @chronicleofthetimes2024

EPISODE
If you like this, here are links to some other recommended videos:
1828-1831: The Burkers - Feeding the Dissectors | Ep32v
https://youtu.be/X6JLDHpEZ1Q
1828 - 1831: The case of Burke and Hare | EP338
https://youtu.be/MDcZhb1TzLo
1777 - 1829: England's Grave Robbers - The Resurrectionists | 148v
https://youtu.be/hv-P9ie6JWM
1667 - 1935: Stories of Being Buried Alive | Ep91
https://youtu.be/nUGkHExcR84

***
Who are News of the Times?
We are an independent group of historians, researchers , and actor with a passion for historical crime!

Unlocking the Vaults of Historical Crime, your gateway to a captivating journey through the darker pages of history. We dive deep into the annals of crime, unearthing forgotten stories, unsolved mysteries, and notorious criminals from the past.

Support the show

Thanks for listening! You can also connect with us on
Our YouTube Channel: | https://www.youtube.com/@newsofthetimes
Our Facebook Page: | https://www.facebook.com/News-of-the-Times-101108282697405
Have a question or comment? Get in touch with us at newsofthetimespodcast@gmail.com
If you would like to donate, we love coffee! Warmly appreciated :-) | https://www.buymeacoffee.com/newsofthetd

The Case of the Murder of Mary Ann Weems
News of the Times Episode 472 | 1818
Welcome to today’s episode, where we journey back to Cambridgeshire in 1818.
Our story follows Thomas Weems, a young man from the lower social class who believed life had dealt him a cruel hand. After a brief affair with Mary Ann Dixon of Wendy, Cambridgeshire, Mary Ann claimed she was pregnant with Thomas’s child. Under the harsh customs of the time, the parish authorities gave Thomas an ultimatum: marry Mary Ann or face imprisonment.
Reluctantly, Thomas did what was expected—he married her. However, driven by resentment, he soon abandoned Mary Ann and fled to Edmonton, seeking a new life. There, he met another young woman who quickly captured his heart. But bound by his existing marriage, Thomas was unable to pursue this new love.
What followed was a scandal that gripped the nation, making headlines well beyond the local papers—a rare feat in those days. The story gained even more infamy due to the macabre, Frankenstein-like experiments conducted on Thomas’s corpse after his death, giving the tale a chilling twist reminiscent of Mary Shelley’s gothic horror.
In this episode, we’ll unravel the full story: from the troubled romance and the crime that followed, to the shocking verdict and the gruesome fate of Thomas’s body.
And keeping with the eerie theme, our “further particulars” segment explores a chilling case from the same era—a woman whose prophetic dream foretold a real-life murder.
Hosted by Robin Coles.

#NewsofTheTimes #truecrimedocumentary #truecrime #truecrimepodcast #victorian #history

Patreon: patreon.com/NewsoftheTimesHistoricalCrime
YouTube Chronicle of the Times: @chronicleofthetimes2024

EPISODE
If you like this, here are links to some other recommended videos:
1812 - 1902: A Collection of Stories from Spooky England | Ep62
https://youtu.be/FbpFuL7cjiA
1811: John Williams - The Horrific Ratcliffe Murders | Ep73
https://youtu.be/n-GNtR66WJU
1813 - 1885: A Collection of Botched Executions | Ep77
https://youtu.be/h0qDK09zCKc
1815: The Case of Elizabeth Fenning | Ep90
https://youtu.be/2ywqYVk4OLw
1700-1812: From Pulpit to Gallows – Rogue Reverends | Ep122
https://youtu.be/Qotm2XsyBWM

***
Who are News of the Times?
We are an independent group of historians, researchers , and actor with a passion for historical crime!

Unlocking the Vaults of Historical Crime, your gateway to

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

Thanks for listening! You can also connect with us on
Our YouTube Channel: | https://www.youtube.com/@newsofthetimes
Our Facebook Page: | https://www.facebook.com/News-of-the-Times-101108282697405
Have a question or comment? Get in touch with us at newsofthetimespodcast@gmail.com
If you would like to donate, we love coffee! Warmly appreciated :-) | https://www.buymeacoffee.com/newsofthetd

Exploring The Kingsland Murders Of 1890 In Victorian London
News of the Times Episode 471 | 1890
In today's episode, we step back in time to the unforgiving streets of Victorian East End London—a place where crime was a brutal fact of life and gangs ruled with ruthless violence. Long before Jack the Ripper became infamous, the area was already plagued by relentless lawlessness. Newspaper reports from the era reveal a grim reality: murders were so common, they sometimes occurred almost weekly.
In this episode, we uncover the chilling story of the Kingsland Murder, a shocking crime that shook the district in August 1890. It all began in a local pub, where Walter Hargan, a former soldier, had a fateful encounter with a gang of thugs. When the confrontation spilled into the streets, Hargan, in a desperate fight for his life, shot and killed two of his attackers.
Dubbed the "Kingsland Tragedy", the case became a media sensation, filling the papers for weeks with tales of witness intimidation, false testimony, and ordinary people caught in a web of violence and scandal.
Join us as we dive into this gripping true crime tale—a haunting glimpse into the darker side of Victorian London.
And stick around for our "Further Particulars" segment at the end of the episode, where we uncover a bizarre story from 1899 involving Hyde Park Cemetery, a mysteriously buried cat, and a strange connection to ancient hieroglyphics!
Hosted by Robin Coles.

#NewsofTheTimes #truecrimedocumentary #truecrime #truecrimepodcast #victorian #history

Patreon: patreon.com/NewsoftheTimesHistoricalCrime
YouTube Chronicle of the Times: @chronicleofthetimes2024

EPISODE
If you like this, here are links to some other recommended videos:
1890: The Niagara Murder | EP350
https://youtu.be/q2d3q055EhU
1898: THE OVEN TRAGEDY: | EP363
https://youtu.be/t74jMzxlWLk
1816 & 1898: Deadly Relations: Shocking In-Law Murders | EP365
https://youtu.be/RWwLJ3nLr30
1892: The Case of the Althorp Murder | EP372
https://youtu.be/B9rFKD_Km18
1892: The Victorian International Serial Killer | EP374
https://youtu.be/TkKFL0qKG4A
1873 - 1898: Crime Tales from The Raj | EP376
https://youtu.be/F_Q1Rw-7bXQ
1899: BRITISH Deptford poisoning cases | EP385
https://youtu.be/xzqyTnX4f1I
1892: The Body in the Buttery | EP392

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

Thanks for listening! You can also connect with us on
Our YouTube Channel: | https://www.youtube.com/@newsofthetimes
Our Facebook Page: | https://www.facebook.com/News-of-the-Times-101108282697405
Have a question or comment? Get in touch with us at newsofthetimespodcast@gmail.com
If you would like to donate, we love coffee! Warmly appreciated :-) | https://www.buymeacoffee.com/newsofthetd

The Murder of George Samuel Little - A Locked Room Mystery
News of the Times Episode 469 | 1856
Welcome to today’s episode, where we travel back to Dublin in 1856.
A railway cashier is discovered brutally mutilated in a locked room—with no sign of the key or the grisly tools used to carry out the savage attack. The shocking scene leaves both the police and clairvoyants baffled, unable to explain the seemingly impossible crime.
But then, a woman steps forward and points the finger squarely at her husband. Their children are brought in to testify, adding to the drama. Yet, due to the laws of the time, a wife’s testimony alone isn’t enough to convict.
We’ll unravel this chilling locked-room mystery and explore the fascinating twists that followed the courtroom drama.
And in today’s Further Particulars segment—fittingly, in honor of Mothering Sunday here in the UK—we bring you the dark tale of a mother who encourages her son to get rid of his father. Ah, family bonds… sometimes more sinister than sweet.
Hosted by Robin Coles.

#NewsofTheTimes #truecrimedocumentary #truecrime #truecrimepodcast #victorian #history

Patreon: patreon.com/NewsoftheTimesHistoricalCrime
YouTube Chronicle of the Times: @chronicleofthetimes2024

EPISODE
If you like this, here are links to some other recommended videos:
1852: Helen Jagado - The Serial Killer Nun | Ep195
https://youtu.be/yWWRm73PyJw
1851 & 1920: Murderous Stories from Suffolk | Ep198
https://youtu.be/7Gjgcka5pzQ
1855: William Dove and The Wizard | Ep204
https://youtu.be/KKQVIH7Q6-s
1856: Murders in Paris | Ep216
https://youtu.be/6ZWmZw8-7N0
1783 - 1852: Pies of Death | Ep221
https://youtu.be/Q7KgmUM7AbE
1829 & 1851: Murder and Scandal in Oxfordshire | Ep222
https://youtu.be/Um19zXR0pF4
1857: The Bencula Island Serial Killer | Ep223
https://youtu.be/eIifaw03XDQ
1856: The Walworth Tragedy | Ep227
https://youtu.be/Ofd7_0nTBbc
1776-1857: Prison hulk stories | Ep243
https://youtu.be/FAx_ukF2hnc

***
Who are News of the Times?
We are an independent group of historians, researchers , and actor with a passion for historical crime!

Unlocking the Vaults of Historical Crime, your gateway to a captivating journey through the darker p

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

Thanks for listening! You can also connect with us on
Our YouTube Channel: | https://www.youtube.com/@newsofthetimes
Our Facebook Page: | https://www.facebook.com/News-of-the-Times-101108282697405
Have a question or comment? Get in touch with us at newsofthetimespodcast@gmail.com
If you would like to donate, we love coffee! Warmly appreciated :-) | https://www.buymeacoffee.com/newsofthetd

The Bell Boy Murderer of 1831
News of the Times Episode 468 | 1831
While on his way to a job, a turf cutter loses his bearings and wanders into the dense woods. As he struggles to find his way, he makes a grim discovery—the decaying corpse of a young boy. The body, left to the elements for weeks, is in a horrifying state of decomposition.
Police quickly descend on the scene and identify the victim as a 13-year-old boy who had been missing for nearly two months. The devastating news shatters his grieving father.
As police launch their investigation, they uncover conflicting testimonies from two individuals brought in for questioning. What follows is a shocking twist that stuns the entire nation—an outcome so disturbing, it leaves England reeling.
And in today’s “Further Particulars” segment, we examine another chilling crime. Two young women are abducted, chained, and imprisoned in a remote cellar. But when a daring rescue attempt unfolds, the results are as dramatic as they are unexpected.
Hosted by Robin Coles.

#NewsofTheTimes #truecrimedocumentary #truecrime #truecrimepodcast #victorian #history

Patreon: patreon.com/NewsoftheTimesHistoricalCrime
YouTube Chronicle of the Times: @chronicleofthetimes2024

EPISODE
If you like this, here are links to some other recommended videos:
1834-1836: Some Incest Cases in Regency Times | 160
https://youtu.be/ePZQXLFrVdE
1835: Serial Killer Saturdays - Frances Billing & Catherine Frary | Ep59
https://youtu.be/yvz6M6sfnbM
1830's-1910's: Stories From Penny Dreadfuls | Ep86
https://youtu.be/sW_VLuR044s
1836: The Murder of Hannah Brown | Ep110
https://youtu.be/RCjabXKqphI
1830-1900: Mass Poisoning in Victorian England | Ep146
https://youtu.be/_kIgyMScOcs
1832 - 1879: A Collection of Macabre Murders | Ep152
https://youtu.be/mmdISOXbZkg
1833: The Plumstead Poisoner Mystery | Ep199
https://youtu.be/jIspuU0jGhI

***
Who are News of the Times?
We are an independent group of historians, researchers , and actor with a passion for historical crime!

Unlocking the Vaults of Historical Crime, your gateway to a captivating journey through the darker pages of history. We dive deep into the annals of crime, unearthing forgotten stories, unsolved mysteries, and notorious criminals from the past.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

Thanks for listening! You can also connect with us on
Our YouTube Channel: | https://www.youtube.com/@newsofthetimes
Our Facebook Page: | https://www.facebook.com/News-of-the-Times-101108282697405
Have a question or comment? Get in touch with us at newsofthetimespodcast@gmail.com
If you would like to donate, we love coffee! Warmly appreciated :-) | https://www.buymeacoffee.com/newsofthetd

What Really Happened to Marie Empress the Missing Actress
News of the Times Episode 467 | 1919
Welcome to today’s episode, where we journey back to 1919 to explore the baffling disappearance of Marie Empress – a popular music hall actress and rising cinematic star – aboard a liner bound for New York.
Marie, known for her striking presence and dramatic fashion, boarded the ship dressed in her signature heavily veiled black attire. Everything seemed perfectly ordinary—until she vanished without a trace from her luxurious cabin. Despite her remarkable appearance, no one saw her leave. It was as if she had been plucked from existence. A confounidng element to the mystery was a small, locked-from-the-inside porthole.
We take a look at the strange circumstances of Marie Empress’ disappearance and explore the theories behind this haunting case.
And in today’s “Further Particulars” segment, we take you back to 1875 for an equally bizarre mystery: the curious case of a baby found in a basket, suspended high in a tree. Witnessed by several people, this peculiar and unexplainable sight left everyone baffled.
Hosted by Robin Coles.

#NewsofTheTimes #truecrimedocumentary #truecrime #truecrimepodcast #victorian #history

Patreon: patreon.com/NewsoftheTimesHistoricalCrime
YouTube Chronicle of the Times: @chronicleofthetimes2024

EPISODE
If you like this, here are links to some other recommended videos:
1915 and 1922: The Unspoken Law | Ep238
https://youtu.be/iyG8XfYFNjQ
1913: Marcel Redureau - Child Mass Murderer | Ep244
https://youtu.be/042uBCTnHD8
1871 - 1910: Scorned: Jilted Partners and Vengeance | Ep264
https://youtu.be/IyU0PpewCD0
1911 - 1929: The Village of Assassins - Frau Fazekas | Ep278
https://youtu.be/TcWn9EDXebg
1550s - 1911: Murder and Mysteries | EP283
https://youtu.be/V1DBDvjFqPk
1917: SYC: The Regent Square Murder | EP301
https://youtu.be/7j6QKTA751U
1911: Scotland Yard Casebook: The Seddon Case | EP331
https://youtu.be/wkyfr9cgSwY

NEWS OF THE TIMES PLAYLISTS

News of the Times MURDEROUS MONDAYS
We look at a famous historical murder case of its day in detail
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuj5alJ9fVqsjz8AEFGWzNvEKXs7xBgm_

News of the Times WICKED WEDNESDAYS
The dark side of historical England is explored in this series uploaded every Wednesday
https://ww

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

Thanks for listening! You can also connect with us on
Our YouTube Channel: | https://www.youtube.com/@newsofthetimes
Our Facebook Page: | https://www.facebook.com/News-of-the-Times-101108282697405
Have a question or comment? Get in touch with us at newsofthetimespodcast@gmail.com
If you would like to donate, we love coffee! Warmly appreciated :-) | https://www.buymeacoffee.com/newsofthetd

Mary Maguire, the Ripper & Carrie Brown
News of the Times Episode 466 | 1891
In today’s episode, we explore the chilling claim of a 70-year-old woman admitted to an Irish workhouse, who insists she came face-to-face with Jack the Ripper immediately after the murder of Annie Chapman. She describes him as a foreign-looking man with connections to far-off places like America.
We then follow this trail across the Atlantic to New York in 1891, where a series of grisly murders sent shockwaves through the city. The press quickly drew comparisons to the Ripper slayings in London, sparking the question: Did the Ripper continue his reign of terror in the U.S.? And could the New York police have succeeded where their Whitechapel counterparts failed?
Finally, in today’s Further Particulars segment, we rewind to 1825 for a bizarre tale that proves why it’s never wise to cross a cat!
Hosted by Robin Coles.

#NewsofTheTimes #truecrimedocumentary #truecrime #truecrimepodcast #victorian #history

Patreon: patreon.com/NewsoftheTimesHistoricalCrime
YouTube Chronicle of the Times: @chronicleofthetimes2024

EPISODE
If you like this, here are links to some other recommended videos:
1890: The Niagara Murder | EP350
https://youtu.be/q2d3q055EhU
1898: THE OVEN TRAGEDY: | EP363
https://youtu.be/t74jMzxlWLk
1816 & 1898: Deadly Relations: Shocking In-Law Murders | EP365
https://youtu.be/RWwLJ3nLr30
1892: The Case of the Althorp Murder | EP372
https://youtu.be/B9rFKD_Km18
1892: The Victorian International Serial Killer | EP374
https://youtu.be/TkKFL0qKG4A
1873 - 1898: Crime Tales from The Raj | EP376
https://youtu.be/F_Q1Rw-7bXQ
1899: BRITISH Deptford poisoning cases | EP385
https://youtu.be/xzqyTnX4f1I
1892: The Body in the Buttery | EP392
https://youtu.be/Gcf7CT13o2s
1894: The Creepy Case of the Shaftesbury Av. Murder | EP396
https://youtu.be/D8PtrGwBJlw

***
Who are News of the Times?
We are an independent group of historians, researchers , and actor with a passion for historical crime!

Unlocking the Vaults of Historical Crime, your gateway to a captivating journey through the darker pages of history. We dive deep into the annals of crime, unearthing forgotten stories, unsolved mysteries

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

Thanks for listening! You can also connect with us on
Our YouTube Channel: | https://www.youtube.com/@newsofthetimes
Our Facebook Page: | https://www.facebook.com/News-of-the-Times-101108282697405
Have a question or comment? Get in touch with us at newsofthetimespodcast@gmail.com
If you would like to donate, we love coffee! Warmly appreciated :-) | https://www.buymeacoffee.com/newsofthetd