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How a Brown Paper Bag Unmasked Britain's Worst Killer
7 Mar
Summary
- Packaging from a victim led police to Amelia Dyer, suspected of 400 infant murders.
- Dyer, a former nurse, was executed in 1896 for strangling and discarding babies.
- Evidence included identifying string, letters from parents, and pawned baby clothes.
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.
