Cinema: Torso Murder

Dr. Crippen. The brick was loose.

Inspector Dew of Scotland Yard bent down and carefully removed it from the cellar floor. Ten minutes later, he sat on a pile of earth and stared in disgust at the putrid and dismembered remains of Belle Crippen. Some months later, Belle's husband, Dr. Hawley Crippen, was brought to trial for her murder. The penny press played him up as Britain's own Bluebeard, and the scandal provided some of the least savory sensations of the Edwardian era. Dr. Crippen was convicted, and on Nov. 23, 1910, he went...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!