How a Brown Paper Bag Unmasked Britain's Worst Killer

A former police officer described Amelia Dyer as potentially Britain's most prolific murderess. Dyer, a nurse from Reading, was executed in 1896 for one infant murder, but is suspected of killing as many as 400. Her crimes came to light on March 30, 1896, when a bargeman found a baby's body in the River Thames, identified as Helena Fry.

The packaging from Helena Fry's remains bore Dyer's former married name and address, leading police to her temporary residence. While she had fled, investigators traced her to another Reading home. Modern investigative techniques, similar to those used by Victorian police, were employed, including surveillance and evidence collection.

Search of her home revealed string matching that used on Fry's parcel and cord similar to that used for strangulation. Letters from parents, child vaccination certificates, and tickets for pawned baby clothes were also found, suggesting she was caring for six infants at the time.

Dyer's ability to operate was facilitated by the common practice of 'baby farming' and a societal view of illegitimate children as a burden. She moved frequently, advertising herself as respectable while collecting babies for a fee. She had prior arrests for child neglect but returned to baby farming.

Evidence, including a witnessed disposal of bodies and testimony from a man who found a child's body, pointed to her guilt. Her daughter and son-in-law were implicated, prompting Dyer to confess, taking sole responsibility for her crimes. Despite links to seven river corpses, she was convicted of Helena Fry's murder and executed on June 10, 1896. Her daughter and son-in-law were later imprisoned for desertion.