The 1893 Mysterious Murder at Poplar
News of the Times Episode 463 | 1893
In this episode, we travel back to London, 1893, where a shocking crime has stunned the public. Mrs. Ann Darby, a 79-year-old widow, living on welfare in a rented apartment, is found brutally murdered in her bed—her head bludgeoned with the back of an axe.
The newspapers are outraged. If an elderly, impoverished widow isn’t safe in her own home, what is the world coming to? One suspect emerges based on witness accounts—but is it enough to secure a conviction?
We dive into this gripping case that dominated the headlines of the time.
And in today’s end of episode Further Particulars segment, we journey to Ireland, where an active poltergeist—witnessed by multiple people—is wreaking havoc on a local community.
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:
1820 - 1895: Matricide | Ep31v
https://youtu.be/9Kk6E6xxseU
1808 - 1896: Children Death Challenges in Regency and Victorian England | Ep34v
https://youtu.be/ilvEcnD1OSE
1895-1907: Murder Stories from Ireland | Ep36v
https://youtu.be/p4uhdu1pbVY
1726 - 1893: When Love Goes Bad | Ep37v
https://youtu.be/5u0QDQNc_Wg
1899: Mary Ann Ansell - Murdering her sister in an insane asylum | 150
https://youtu.be/VpsFVIdpvmk

***
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 Mysterious Manchester Murders
News of the Times Episode 462 | 1905-1906
In this epsidoe, we journey back to Manchester in 1905.
A rag and bone man, searching for discarded treasures, makes a horrifying discovery in the cellar of an abandoned house—a battered and gagged 15-year-old boy, his life cruelly taken in an apparent act of senseless violence.
With no clear motive and the boy’s working-class background offering little in the way of explanation, the community is left reeling. His devastated family insists he was a responsible young lad, making the crime all the more perplexing.
Fast forward 18 months, and in the same area, another grim scene unfolds. As demolition workers prepare to tear down an old, derelict house, a foul stench rises from the cellar. What they uncover will add yet another layer of horror to this already chilling case.
We investigate these two shocking crimes that gripped Manchester in 1905.
And in our end-of-episode Further Particulars segment, we step into a different kind of mystery from 1908—one that left a farmer and his family utterly baffled. Objects within their home began moving inexplicably before their very eyes. Was it a trick of the mind, or something far more sinister?

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:
1938: Murderess Martha Marek | Ep270
https://youtu.be/nKMmOC1jrQw
1923: The Go Cart Murder | EP272
https://youtu.be/cJjdtCWhdmE
1934: The Murder of Helen Priestly | EP275
https://youtu.be/PgRfY9q_lc8
1920-1923: SYC: The Littlehampton Poison Pen Letter Mystery | EP276
https://youtu.be/2snJSm7pUgo
1921: The Case of Mme Bessarabo | EP279
https://youtu.be/T4QzfoGk6DU
1550s - 1911: Murder and Mysteries | EP283
https://youtu.be/V1DBDvjFqPk
1907: Monte Carlo Trunk Murder | EP284
https://youtu.be/oTOwoof-jKs
1907: The Croydon Killer | Ep287
https://youtu.be/JOcmekUMZjw

***
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 Mysterious Murderer Enabler of Norfolk: Hannah Shorten
News of the Times Episode 461 | 1832 & 1835
In today’s episode, we’re traveling back to Norfolk in the 1830s—a place left shaken by not one, but two shocking cases of multiple murder, just a few years apart. And at the center of both? Whispers of a cunning woman—another word for a witch—named Hannah Shorten.
In both cases, Hannah is said to have quietly offered her mystical advice to women desperate to change their fates.
First, in 1832, we meet Mary Wright—trapped in an unhappy marriage and seeking out Hannah Shorten for help. Soon after, both Mary’s husband and father are dead, buried on the same December day.
Then, in 1835, the small village of Burnham is rocked by another string of mysterious deaths. Once again, Hannah’s name surfaces—this time connected to two best friends, Fanny and Kate, who had also sought her counsel about their tangled love lives.
Today, we’re diving into both chilling cases and the shadowy figure of Hannah Shorten, whose influence seems to linger over them all.
And if that’s not eerie enough, stick around for our 'Further Particulars' segment at the end, where we’ll share the haunting medieval tale of the Witch of Berkeley, as recorded by the famous 12th-century historian William of Malmesbury—writing from none other than the legendary Glastonbury Abbey.
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:
1837: Jack the Rippers Precursor - Francois Courvoisier | Ep44v
https://youtu.be/vFA8D-esjhY
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
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.

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 McKay Mother Murder | A Chilling 1927 Scottish Crime
News of the Times Episode 460 | 1927
In today’s episode, we are heading back to 1927 in Glasgow, Scotland.
A man rowing along the River Clyde spots what looks like a white bundle on the shore. But when he investigates… what he finds is beyond horrifying. Inside are the dismembered remains of an elderly woman — her head brutally battered, limbs severed, and signs that someone had tried to burn her head.
The gruesome discovery quickly dominates the headlines. But the case takes an even darker turn when the prime suspect is revealed... the woman's own son.
Today, we’re digging into this shocking crime — the details of the murder, the possible motives, and the final verdict.
And if that’s not chilling enough, do take a look at our 'Further Particulars' story, where we go to 1897 to explore the mystery of a bloody footprint that appears nightly in every home of a small village.
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:
1923: The Ilford Tragedy | Ep145
https://youtu.be/LjjKdRNepQQ
1922: The Case of Herbet Rowse Armstrong | Ep151
https://youtu.be/qw3xna-RFvQ
1923: The Courtesan Who Got Away With Murder | Ep160
https://youtu.be/ApzLcKiA7G0
1921: The French Bluebeard - Henri Desire Landru | Ep163
https://youtu.be/_OMjSMM-uxs

1811 - 1924: Curious Cases of Scotland Yard | Ep165

https://youtu.be/5yD-lhC_JnE
1924: The Crumbles Murder - Part 1 | Ep170
https://youtu.be/YtITXFx6BZ8
1920: Crumbles Murders - Part 2 | Ep174
https://youtu.be/Pw5WwD3zPcM

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://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuj5alJ9fVqvoksKPFZlNgvjt4IcudB9n

News of the Times FRIGHTFUL FRIDAYS
A collection of stories with a similar theme such as The Square miles of Murder and A Collection of Macabre Murders
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAx_ukF2hnc&list=PLuj5alJ9fVqsULx-gK3CrVtbo09cu9EkkgK3CrVtbo09cu9Ekk

News of the Times SERIAL Killer Saturdays
An in depth look at a serial killer, the crimes and the capture, every Saturday
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuj5alJ9fVqu3tysx43UGpKcfXWYoCw1

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 Isle of Wight Murder of 1877
News of the Times Episode 459 | 1877
Welcome to today’s episode, where we travel back to 1877 and uncover a shocking crime on the Isle of Wight.
Maria Barber, seeking a fresh start, returns to her father’s home on the island with her partner. Her father—living with a partner of his own—doesn’t question their relationship, and life in the house carries on despite whispers among the neighbours about its growing reputation.
Then, one fateful day, everything changes. While her father and his partner are away at the market, Maria bursts from the house in terror, desperately seeking help. A concerned neighbour arrives but, finding nothing amiss, soon departs.
Not long after, a gruesome scene is discovered—Maria’s body lies in a pool of blood, brutally hacked with an axe. Her faithful dog stands guard beside her lifeless form. The brutality of the attack shocks the island, and Maria’s partner is nowhere to be found.
A manhunt begins, and the case grips the nation. Who was behind this savage crime? What led to Maria’s tragic fate? And how did the chase for the prime suspect unfold?
In today’s Further Particulars story, we step into the world of the supernatural—a haunted house where a ghost is believed to have played a chilling role in the death of a child. Was it truly a case of a ghostly murderer?
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:
1872: The Cropton Murders | Ep277
https://youtu.be/TcWn9EDXebg
1873 - 1875: Stories of Sibling Murder | EP293
https://youtu.be/Gtz1FHQANzE
1870-1871: Stories of in-law Issues | EP319
https://youtu.be/NTNGLpFdOmU
1844 & 1878: Stories of Jealous and Jilted | EP323
https://youtu.be/Q5fjRDO-olY
1875: Mulharro Indian prince suspected poisoner | EP343
https://youtu.be/tQQIjUrNBs4
1872: The Remarkable Case of William Chester Minor: The Lambeth Tragedy | EP348
https://youtu.be/IJn14hsmybI
1872: The Victorian Borgia- Lydia Sherman | EP353
https://youtu.be/mHSeZwy02N0
1875: Victorian Strychnine Stories | EP354
https://youtu.be/AziIspnr9KA

***
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

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

Case of the Harley Street Murder Mystery of 1880
News of the Times Episode 458 | 1880
Welcome to today’s episode, where we step back in time to 1880 and uncover a chilling mystery in London’s prestigious Harley Street.
A newly hired butler, troubled by a terrible stench near the cellar, decides to investigate. Behind the cistern, he discovers a large cask, oddly topped with empty seltzer water bottles. Assuming it’s filled with more of the same, he pries it open—only to be met with a gruesome sight: the nearly naked body of a woman, eerily preserved in lime.
The shocking discovery captivated the press and brought Scotland Yard rushing to the scene.
Who was she?
How did she end up there?
And what dark secrets lay hidden behind Harley Street’s grand facades?

But that’s not the only mystery. For those drawn to the truly bizarre, in our end of episode further particulars segment we’re travel back to 1820, where a teenage servant girl stands accused of repeatedly setting fires inside a home — seemingly without explanation.
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:
1886 - 1946: Lancashire Murder Stories | Ep166
https://youtu.be/AEJxlmxF7u4
1881: The Mysterious Murder of Georgie Moore | Ep200
https://youtu.be/dba4Zel0IXo
1882: Scandal and Murder on Merseyside | Ep206
https://youtu.be/QmSsd1et-iI
1887: Evil Elizabeth Berry | Ep215
https://youtu.be/CMJfylwTlkg
1815 - 1882: History Compilation Special –Crime Stories That Made History | Ep228
https://youtu.be/m1_tkiiay20
1822 & 1886: Firsts in Murder | Ep230
https://youtu.be/TYbvkHxEI0o
1884 & 1928: Murders in County Durham | Ep239
https://youtu.be/WuEUFfWK7qA
1888 - 1891: Forgotten Ripper Victims | Ep246
https://youtu.be/zsHzuTOepd4
1845 - 1888: Murder and Cannibalism | Ep247
https://youtu.be/5NTs38FEmBA

***
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

Deadly Betrayal: The 1828 Mother’s Assassination Conspiracy
News of the Times Episode 457 | 1828
Welcome to today’s episode, where we dive into a gripping tale from 1828—one that reveals a dark and twisted side of deadly loyalty.
Thomas Ellson, a 24-year-old member of a notorious sheep-stealing gang, finds himself at the centre of a shocking case. When fellow gang member James Harrison is caught for a different crime, he strikes a deal for his freedom: testifying against Ellson.
But before the trial can take place, Harrison vanishes. Rumours swirl that Ellson’s mother gathered enough money to hire assassins to silence the only witness against her son.
What follows is a case filled with betrayal at every turn—wives testifying against husbands, brothers-in-law turning on each other, a father called to convict his own son, and even a son condemning his own mother. By the end, five people stand accused in a web of treachery and murder-for-hire.
We’ll explore the crime, the players, and the shocking verdict that followed.
And in today’s Further Particulars segment, we rewind to 1811 for a bizarre weather event—one where a storm rained live alligators. Quite honestly, we hate when that happens!
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:
1767 - 1829: Employers Who Torture | Ep40v
https://youtu.be/ptzDW7hwK4M
1663 - 1829: Stories of Executioners | 170
https://youtu.be/CdRFl4ajEHg
1869: The Pantin Massacre | Ep103
https://youtu.be/hqyQKRbbRYI
1760 + 1825: Aristocracy: Murder and Scandal | Ep162
https://youtu.be/doAw2ylI1eo
1823 & 1825: Families Who Kill Families | Ep191
https://youtu.be/SGZVBaQE5ww
1824 - 1893: Housemaid Stories of Betrayal and Murder | Ep193
https://youtu.be/WRbJ60mjxf4
1825 & 1895: Scandal and Murder Stories from the Stage | Ep194
https://youtu.be/nzJ34cW2GLs

***
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

Exploring a Deadly Case of Jealousy and Murder
News of the Times Episode 53 | 1840
Welcome to today’s episode, where we travel back to 1881, to an isolated farm near St Columb.
Mrs. Chapman, a mother of six, finds herself at the centre of a deadly confrontation. Accused of having an affair with a farmhand brought in for the harvest, she faces her enraged husband—armed and dangerous. First, he brandishes a gun, then turns to a knife, driving it into her stomach and inflicting multiple wounds.
Was it murder or manslaughter? And more importantly—does he get away with it?
In today’s Further Particulars, we explore the chilling tale of a man whose obsession with phrenology takes a truly horrifying turn. Brace yourself—this one isn’t for the faint of heart!
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:
1881: Margaret Messenger: The 13 Year Old Serial Killer - Serial Killer Saturdays | Ep47
https://youtu.be/V5At3KLtNLM
1881: The Brighton Railway Murderer - Percy Lefroy Mapleton | Ep81
https://youtu.be/J8_1oQu70LM
1813 - 1885: A Collection of Botched Executions | Ep77
https://youtu.be/h0qDK09zCKc
1887-1889: The Thames Torso Murders | Ep85
https://youtu.be/_Orpk42MUlQ
1889: PINCHN TORSO MURDER | Ep121
https://youtu.be/P9N1xUZOuqg

***
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