Macabre London

Forensic science is now one of the most powerful tools in crime investigation — but its journey began in the shadows of London’s darkest cases. In this episode of Macabre London, we trace the evolution of forensics through the crimes that pushed science to its limits.We begin with the first-ever conviction using a fingerprint, a moment that changed policing forever. From there, we step into the disturbing case of Patrick Mahon, whose brutality forced investigators to invent new forensic techniques simply to piece his crime together.We move forward into the mid-20th century to examine how the chilling actions of serial killers Reg Christie and Dennis Nilsen broadened the scope of forensic investigation — from body recovery to behavioural patterns and beyond.Then, we look at how modern forensic advancements reopened previously unsolved cases, most notably the landmark case of Stephen Lawrence, where new technology finally gave investigators the tools needed to secure long-awaited justice.Finally, we explore how forensics operates when the crime scene spans an entire city — through the extraordinary investigative efforts following the 7/7 London bombings, where thousands of pieces of evidence had to be located, logged, analysed, and understood.If you love dark history, true crime, and the hidden mechanics of how cases are solved, this episode uncovers the science, the stories, and the London crimes that changed everything.Todays episode is sponsored by Wolf Escape Games - www.wolfescapegames.com - to get your special discount code of 30% off any game or bundle. Use the code: MACABRE5Please check out our sponsor - London Nootropics at www.londonnootropics.com and use the discount code MACABRE at checkout to receive 20% off any order.------------------------If you love British true crime, unsolved mysteries, and historical murders, don’t miss this episode!Also available wherever you get your podcasts: https://podfollow.com/macabrelondon-------------------------Be sure to check out my other podcast, Killers, Cults & Queens https://podfollow.com/queens---------------------------SUPPORT THE SHOW————————ONE OFF DONATIONS: Paypal - paypal.me/macabrelondonKO-FI: ko-fi.com/macabrelondonPATREON: www.patreon.com/macabrelondonAMAZON WISHLIST - https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/40QPASZ8UGDG?ref_=wl_share——————————-Thank you to our executive producer patrons - Bec, Christophe, Christina, Heathers Leg, Lisa, Mary, Matilda, Ravelle, Sally, Sam, Sarah, Sarah A, Terri & VeronicaAnd to all of our wonderful £5 tier patrons...AmyAndreaAndrewBoudiccaClaire RClaire SCreepy PaperDavid RDeniseHelenIngeJoJTKathrynKellyKyleeLindalLizShannonStephThe Paranormal PrincessVeeZozoLAMAnd thanks to all other patrons too!————————SOCIAL MEDIA---------------------------------------------Insta: @nikkimacabrelondonX: @macabrelondonTikTok: @macabrelondonFacebook: @macabrelondonEmail: macabrelondon@hotmail.com

In this next chapter of our Crime & Punishment in the Capital City series, we explore a story often overlooked in the darker corners of London’s past: the long and brutal fight for women to earn their place in the Metropolitan Police.From early moral guardians to undercover operatives, and eventually, fully empowered officers, the women who patrolled London’s streets faced resistance at every turn. Their uniforms were criticised, their authority questioned, and more than once their very existence within the force was nearly erased. But they fought back—quietly, strategically, and with unwavering resolve.In this episode, we uncover the scandals, political battles, and public panics that shaped the rise of female policing up to the present day. We’ll meet the pioneers who walked these fog-shrouded streets long before society believed they should, and discover how their work changed crime-fighting in the capital forever.Perfect for fans of dark history, untold stories, social history, women’s rights history, London lore, and true crime documentaries.Please check out our sponsor - London Nootropics at www.londonnootropics.com and use the discount code MACABRE at checkout to receive 20% off any order.Todays episode is sponsored by Jeff Wayne's The War Of The Worlds The Immersive Experience - www.waroftheworldsimmersive.com - to get your special discount code of £10 off any two or more tickets purchased. Use the code: MACABRE10------------------------If you love British true crime, unsolved mysteries, and historical murders, don’t miss this episode!Also available wherever you get your podcasts: https://podfollow.com/macabrelondon-------------------------Be sure to check out my other podcast, Killers, Cults & Queens https://podfollow.com/queens---------------------------SUPPORT ME————————ONE OFF DONATIONS: Paypal - paypal.me/macabrelondonKO-FI: ko-fi.com/macabrelondonPATREON: www.patreon.com/macabrelondonAMAZON WISHLIST - https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/...MERCH! - https://macabrelondon-shop.fourthwall.com——————————-Thank you to our executive producer patrons - Bec, Christophe, Christina, Heathers Leg, Lisa, Mary, Matilda, Ravelle, Sally, Sam, Sarah, Sarah A, Terri & VeronicaAnd to all of our wonderful £5 tier patrons...AmyAndreaAndrewBoudiccaClaire RClaire SCreepy PaperDavid RDeniseHelenIngeJoJTKathrynKellyKyleeLindalLizShannonStephThe Paranormal PrincessVeeZozoLAMAnd thanks to all other patrons too!————————SOCIAL MEDIA---------------------------------------------Insta: @nikkimacabrelondonX: @macabrelondonTikTok: @macabrelondonFacebook: @macabrelondonEmail: macabrelondon@hotmail.comHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.Full Sources Available on Requesthttps://www.policeconduct.gov.uk/news/iopc-learning-wayne-couzens-failures-after-panel-finds-gross-misconduct-against-ex-met https://www.bawp.org/women-in-policing-history/

Hidden down a quiet Belgravia mews, The Grenadier looks like any charming old London pub — but inside, something sinister still stirs. Said to be haunted by the ghost of a young soldier beaten to death over a game of cards, this centuries-old tavern holds stories soaked in sorrow, superstition, and spirits of all kinds.Join me as we slip through the misty backstreets of 19th-century London to uncover the legend of the Grenadier’s ghost — a tale where loyalty, betrayal, and a lost debt still echo through the rafters. From flickering lights to phantom footsteps, is this one of London’s most active hauntings… or just a story that’s grown taller with every pint?Please check out our sponsor - London Nootropics at www.londonnootropics.com and use the discount code MACABRE at checkout to receive 20% off any order. Todays episode is sponsored by Jeff Wayne's The War Of The Worlds The Immersive Experience - www.waroftheworldsimmersive.com - to get your special discount code of £10 off any two or more tickets purchased. Use the code: MACABRE10------------------------If you love British true crime, unsolved mysteries, and historical murders, don’t miss this episode!Also available wherever you get your podcasts: https://podfollow.com/macabrelondon-------------------------Be sure to check out my other podcast, Killers, Cults & Queens https://podfollow.com/queens---------------------------SUPPORT ME————————ONE OFF DONATIONS: Paypal - paypal.me/macabrelondonKO-FI: ko-fi.com/macabrelondonPATREON: www.patreon.com/macabrelondonAMAZON WISHLIST - https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/...MERCH! - https://macabrelondon-shop.fourthwall.com——————————-Thank you to our executive producer patrons - Bec, Christophe, Christina, Heathers Leg, Lisa, Mary, Matilda, Ravelle, Sally, Sam, Sarah, Sarah A, Terri & VeronicaAnd to all of our wonderful £5 tier patrons...AmyAndreaAndrewBoudiccaClaire RClaire SCreepy PaperDavid RDeniseHelenIngeJoJTKathrynKellyKyleeLindalLizShannonStephThe Paranormal PrincessVeeZozoLAMAnd thanks to all other patrons too!————————SOCIAL MEDIA---------------------------------------------Insta: @nikkimacabrelondonX: @macabrelondonTikTok: @macabrelondonFacebook: @macabrelondonEmail: macabrelondon@hotmail.com

Nestled in the heart of Spitalfields, The Ten Bells is one of London’s most infamous pubs — and not just for its beer. Said to be haunted by the restless spirits of the past, this centuries-old public house has seen everything from Ripper victims to spectral barmaids who never clocked out. But how much of the haunting is real, and how much is legend born from the dark streets of Whitechapel?In this episode of Macabre London, we uncover the eerie history behind The Ten Bells — from its chilling connection to Jack the Ripper and the brutal murders of Annie Chapman and Mary Jane Kelly, to the countless ghost sightings that still send shivers down visitors’ spines today. Step inside, if you dare, as we peel back the layers of London’s haunted past and ask: is The Ten Bells really one of the most haunted pubs in the city, or just cursed by its own bloody history?Todays episode is sponsored by Wolf Escape Games - www.wolfescapegames.com - to get your special discount code of 30% off any game or bundle. Use the code: MACABRE30------------------------If you love British true crime, unsolved mysteries, and historical murders, don’t miss this episode!Also available wherever you get your podcasts: https://podfollow.com/macabrelondon-------------------------Be sure to check out my other podcast, Killers, Cults & Queens https://podfollow.com/queens---------------------------SUPPORT ME————————ONE OFF DONATIONS: Paypal - paypal.me/macabrelondonKO-FI: ko-fi.com/macabrelondonPATREON: www.patreon.com/macabrelondonAMAZON WISHLIST - https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/...MERCH! - https://macabrelondon-shop.fourthwall.com——————————-Thank you to our executive producer patrons - Bec, Christophe, Christina, Heathers Leg, Lisa, Mary, Matilda, Ravelle, Sally, Sam, Sarah, Sarah A, Terri & VeronicaAnd to all of our wonderful £5 tier patrons...AmyAndreaAndrewBoudiccaClaire RClaire SCreepy PaperDavid RDeniseHelenIngeJoJTKathrynKellyKyleeLindalLizShannonStephThe Paranormal PrincessVeeZozoLAMAnd thanks to all other patrons too!————————SOCIAL MEDIA---------------------------------------------Insta: @nikkimacabrelondonX: @macabrelondonTikTok: @macabrelondonFacebook: @macabrelondonEmail: macabrelondon@hotmail.com

In this episode of Macabre London, we step into the foggy streets of Whitechapel in 1888 to uncover the brutal murder of Mary Jane Kelly – the last known victim of Jack the Ripper. We’ll follow the police investigation as it reached its breaking point, examine the key suspects who haunted the inquiry, and reveal how a shocking telegram from Queen Victoria forced the government to finally take notice of London’s slums.Was this the moment the Ripper was closest to being caught? And how did Mary Jane Kelly’s death end up changing life in the East End forever? Join me as we dig into one of history’s darkest crimes and the social reforms it accidentally sparked.🔔 Subscribe for more chilling tales from London’s dark past.Todays episode is sponsored by Jeff Wayne's The War Of The Worlds The Immersive Experience - www.waroftheworldsimmersive.com - to get your special discount code of £10 off any two or more tickets purchased. Use the code: MACABRE10------------------------If you love British true crime, unsolved mysteries, and historical murders, don’t miss this episode!Also available wherever you get your podcasts: https://podfollow.com/macabrelondon-------------------------Be sure to check out my other podcast, Killers, Cults & Queens https://podfollow.com/queens---------------------------SUPPORT ME————————ONE OFF DONATIONS: Paypal - paypal.me/macabrelondonKO-FI: ko-fi.com/macabrelondonPATREON: www.patreon.com/macabrelondonAMAZON WISHLIST - https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/...MERCH! - https://macabrelondon-shop.fourthwall.com——————————-Thank you to our executive producer patrons - Bec, Christophe, Christina, Heathers Leg, Lisa, Mary, Matilda, Ravelle, Sally, Sam, Sarah, Sarah A, Terri & VeronicaAnd to all of our wonderful £5 tier patrons...AmyAndreaAndrewBoudiccaClaire RClaire SCreepy PaperDavid RDeniseHelenIngeJoJTKathrynKellyKyleeLindalLizShannonStephThe Paranormal PrincessVeeZozoLAMAnd thanks to all other patrons too!————————SOCIAL MEDIA---------------------------------------------Insta: @nikkimacabrelondonX: @macabrelondonTikTok: @macabrelondonFacebook: @macabrelondonEmail: macabrelondon@hotmail.com---------------------------------------------Sources:"Annie Chapman - Wikipedia""Casebook: Jack the Ripper - Annie Chapman""Casebook: Jack the Ripper - Annie Chapman's Inquest""Casebook: Jack the Ripper - Catherine Eddowes""Casebook: Jack the Ripper - Elizabeth Stride""Casebook: Jack the Ripper - Timeline""Catherine Eddowes - Wikipedia""Elizabeth Stride - Wikipedia" "Investigative policing and the Whitechapel murders - Crime and punishment in Whitechapel, c.1870-c.1900 - Edexcel - GCSE History Revision - Edexcel - BBC Bitesize""Police Investigation | London Tour | Jack The Ripper Tour""The Police Investigation - JackTheRipper" "Whitechapel Vigilance Committee - Wikipedia""Whitechapel murders - Wikipedia""Who Was JackTheRipper? Find the Key Suspects Casebook"Keywords: Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes, Jack the Ripper, Double Event, Whitechapel murders, Victorian crime, Macabre London podcast, London history, true crime.Mary Ann Nichols murder, Jack the Ripper first victim, Whitechapel murders, 1888 police investigation, Victorian true crime, London history, Ripper case, Macabre London, true crime podcast, historical crime documentary. #JackTheRipper #MaryJaneKelly #MacabreLondon

FROM THE VAULT: this week we have a corker of an episode from years gone by, we're diving back into the vault of Macabre Mini Mysteries to find you a yesteryear gem for your delectation. We'll be back as usual ASAP with a brand new episode but until then, enjoy this vintage listen...A top a windswept rocky outcrop stands a lonely lighthouse. Its job for many years has been to forewarn sailors that their boats are at risk of striking one of the many jagged rocks that are hidden deep below the surface which could cause a devastating shipwreck.The lamp which was tended to by three hardy keepers on rotation from the mainland of Scotland, one day went dark and when the watch came to replace the men from the isolated island they were nowhere to be found and the lighthouse itself was deserted sparking one of the greatest mysteries of all time.Today on Macabre Mini Mysteries, we uncover the story of the abandoned Flannan Lighthouse and the fate of its three missing keepers.------------------------Todays episode is sponsored by Wolf Escape Games - www.wolfescapegames.com - to get your special discount code of 30% off any game or bundle. Use the code: MACABRE30------------------------If you love British true crime, unsolved mysteries, and historical murders, don’t miss this episode!Also available wherever you get your podcasts: https://podfollow.com/macabrelondon-------------------------Be sure to check out my other podcast, Killers, Cults & Queens https://podfollow.com/queens---------------------------SUPPORT ME————————ONE OFF DONATIONS: Paypal - paypal.me/macabrelondonKO-FI: ko-fi.com/macabrelondonPATREON: www.patreon.com/macabrelondonAMAZON WISHLIST - https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/...MERCH! - https://macabrelondon-shop.fourthwall.com——————————-Thank you to our executive producer patrons - Christina, Heathers Leg, Lisa, Mary, Matilda, Ravelle, Sally, Sam, Sarah, Sarah A, Terri & VeronicaAnd to all of our wonderful £5 tier patrons...AmyAndreaAndrewBoudiccaClaire RClaire SCreepy PaperDavid RDeniseHelenIngeJoJTKathrynKellyKyleeLindalLizShannonStephThe Paranormal PrincessVeeZozoLAMAnd thanks to all other patrons too!————————SOCIAL MEDIA---------------------------------------------Insta: @nikkimacabrelondonX: @macabrelondonTikTok: @macabrelondonFacebook: @macabrelondonEmail: macabrelondon@hotmail.com---------------------------------------------Sources-------------https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofScotland/The-Eilean-Mor-Lighthouse-Mystery/https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/eilean-mor/https://www.nlb.org.uk/history/flannan-isles/https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/blog/what-caused-disappearance-flannan-isle-lighthouse-keepers#:~:text=The%20more%20far%2Dfetched%20of,a%20crevice%20above%20sea%20level.https://www.academia.edu/251736/The_Vanishing_Lighthousemen_of_Eilean_Morhttps://skeptoid.com/episodes/4610https://lighthouseaccommodation.co.uk/directory/flannan-isles-shore-station/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flannan_Isles_Lighthouse

In September 1888, Jack the Ripper escalated his crimes. Annie Chapman was found murdered in Hanbury Street, followed just weeks later by the Double Event — the back-to-back killings of Elizabeth Stride and Catherine Eddowes in a single night.In this episode of Macabre London, we follow the police investigations into these gruesome murders, uncovering the challenges they faced, the evidence they uncovered, and the infamous Goulston Street Graffito that baffled investigators. Could the Ripper have been identified sooner, or was Victorian policing simply outmatched by his brutality?🔔 Subscribe for more chilling tales from London’s dark past.Todays episode is sponsored by Wolf Escape Games - www.wolfescapegames.com - to get your special discount code of 30% off any game or bundle. Use the code: MACABRE30------------------------If you love British true crime, unsolved mysteries, and historical murders, don’t miss this episode!Also available wherever you get your podcasts: https://podfollow.com/macabrelondon-------------------------Be sure to check out my other podcast, Killers, Cults & Queens https://podfollow.com/queens---------------------------SUPPORT ME————————ONE OFF DONATIONS: Paypal - paypal.me/macabrelondonKO-FI: ko-fi.com/macabrelondonPATREON: www.patreon.com/macabrelondonAMAZON WISHLIST - https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/...MERCH! - https://macabrelondon-shop.fourthwall.com——————————-Thank you to our executive producer patrons - Christina, Heathers Leg, Lise, Mary, Matilda, Ravelle, Sally, Sam, Sarah, Sarah A, Terri & VeronicaAnd to all of our wonderful £5 tier patrons...AmyAndreaAndrewBoudiccaClaire RClaire SCreepy PaperDavid RDeniseHelenIngeJoJTKathrynKellyKyleeLindalLizShannonStephThe Paranormal PrincessVeeZozoLAMAnd thanks to all other patrons too!————————SOCIAL MEDIA---------------------------------------------Insta: @nikkimacabrelondonX: @macabrelondonTikTok: @macabrelondonFacebook: @macabrelondonEmail: macabrelondon@hotmail.com---------------------------------------------Sources:"Annie Chapman - Wikipedia""Casebook: Jack the Ripper - Annie Chapman""Casebook: Jack the Ripper - Annie Chapman's Inquest""Casebook: Jack the Ripper - Catherine Eddowes""Casebook: Jack the Ripper - Elizabeth Stride""Casebook: Jack the Ripper - Timeline""Catherine Eddowes - Wikipedia""Elizabeth Stride - Wikipedia" "Investigative policing and the Whitechapel murders - Crime and punishment in Whitechapel, c.1870-c.1900 - Edexcel - GCSE History Revision - Edexcel - BBC Bitesize""Police Investigation | London Tour | Jack The Ripper Tour""The Police Investigation - JackTheRipper" "Whitechapel Vigilance Committee - Wikipedia""Whitechapel murders - Wikipedia""Who Was JackTheRipper? Find the Key Suspects Casebook"Keywords: Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes, Jack the Ripper, Double Event, Whitechapel murders, Victorian crime, Macabre London podcast, London history, true crime.

On 31st August 1888, Mary Ann Nichols was found brutally murdered in Whitechapel — and with her death, the shadow of Jack the Ripper began to fall across London.In this episode of Macabre London, we take you inside the police investigation into the first confirmed Ripper murder. How did officers approach the scene? What evidence did they have to work with in Victorian London? And could they have stopped the Ripper before his killing spree claimed more lives?Using contemporary police reports, witness statements, and historical accounts, we’ll explore the exact steps the Metropolitan Police took — and the mistakes that might have changed history.🔔 Subscribe for more chilling tales from London’s dark past.Todays episode is sponsored by Jeff Wayne's The War Of The Worlds The Immersive Experience - www.waroftheworldsimmersive.com - to get your special discount code of £10 off any two or more tickets purchased. Use the code: MACABRE10------------------------If you love British true crime, unsolved mysteries, and historical murders, don’t miss this episode!Also available wherever you get your podcasts: https://podfollow.com/macabrelondon-------------------------Be sure to check out my other podcast, Killers, Cults & Queens https://podfollow.com/queens---------------------------SUPPORT ME————————ONE OFF DONATIONS: Paypal - paypal.me/macabrelondonKO-FI: ko-fi.com/macabrelondonPATREON: www.patreon.com/macabrelondonAMAZON WISHLIST - https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/...MERCH! - https://macabrelondon-shop.fourthwall.com——————————-Thank you to our executive producer patrons - Christina, Heathers Leg, Lisa, Mary, Matilda, Ravelle, Sally, Sam, Sarah, Sarah A, Terri & VeronicaAnd to all of our wonderful £5 tier patrons...AmyAndreaAndrewBoudiccaClaire RClaire SCreepy PaperDavid RDeniseHelenIngeJoJTKathrynKellyKyleeLindalLizShannonStephThe Paranormal PrincessVeeZozoLAMAnd thanks to all other patrons too!————————SOCIAL MEDIA---------------------------------------------Insta: @nikkimacabrelondonX: @macabrelondonTikTok: @macabrelondonFacebook: @macabrelondonEmail: macabrelondon@hotmail.com---------------------------------------------Sources:https://www.casebook.org/victims/polly.htmlhttps://www.jack-the-ripper.org/jack-the-ripper-victim-mary-nichols.htmhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Ann_Nicholshttps://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-body-of-mary-ann-nichols-vict/24865171/https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0005873/18881006/208/0008https://www.jack-the-ripper.org/jack-the-ripper-victim-mary-nichols.htmhttps://thejacktherippertour.com/casebook/police-investigation/Mary Ann Nichols murder, Jack the Ripper first victim, Whitechapel murders, 1888 police investigation, Victorian true crime, London history, Ripper case, Macabre London, true crime podcast, historical crime documentary.