Episode 582: The Murder of Julia Martha Thomas
Episode 582: The Murder of Julia Martha Thomas
8Digest
This episode of Morbid continues the chilling tale of the Richmond Murder, focusing on the trial of Kate Webster, the maid who murdered Julia Martha Thomas. The podcast explores the legal proceedings, including Kate's attempts to shift blame onto others and the prosecution's strong case against her. The episode highlights the shocking details of the crime, including the dismemberment of Julia's body and the disposal of her remains in the Thames. The podcast also reveals the surprising discovery of Julia's skull in David Attenborough's garden 130 years after the murder, providing a final piece of evidence that confirmed Kate's guilt. The episode concludes with a discussion of the case's lasting impact and the enduring mystery surrounding the murder.
Outlines
Introduction
This Chapter introduces the podcast and its hosts, Alina and Ash, and mentions a new podcast from Wondry and Pineapple Street Studios called "Historical." The hosts also discuss their recent experiences with strange vibes and energy in their recording space, leading them to seek help from an exorcist, Rachel Stavis, who sent them a care package to cleanse the space. They share their experience with the care package and how it seemed to improve the energy in the room.
The Richmond Murder
This Chapter dives into the details of the Richmond murder, a notorious case from the late 19th century. The victim, Julia Martha Thomas, was a twice-widowed schoolteacher known for her eccentric personality and commitment to appearances. The podcast explores Julia's life, her travels, and her reputation as a demanding employer. The chapter then introduces Kate Webster, the maid who murdered Julia, and delves into her criminal history, including her numerous aliases and her skills in robbery.
The Murder
This Chapter focuses on the events leading up to the murder of Julia Martha Thomas. The podcast discusses how Kate's true character emerged, becoming lazy, disrespectful, and aggressive. Julia, fearing Kate, dismissed her as a maid but allowed her to stay for a few more days. The chapter details the argument that ensued between the two women, culminating in Kate pushing Julia down the stairs, choking her, and dismembering her body. The podcast also explores the gruesome details of how Kate disposed of the remains, including boiling the body parts in a pot and dumping them in the Thames.
The Investigation
This Chapter focuses on the investigation into Julia's murder. The podcast discusses the discovery of Julia's remains in a box floating in the Thames, leading to the involvement of Scotland Yard detectives. The chapter explores the challenges faced by the detectives in the 19th century, including the lack of modern technology and the difficulty in tracking down a criminal who had fled the city. The podcast also details the key evidence that led to Kate's arrest, including the testimony of a local boy who helped her carry a box to the river and the discovery of the copper pot and blood stains in Julia's home.
The Arrest and Trial
This Chapter covers the arrest and trial of Kate Webster. The podcast discusses how Kate was tracked down and arrested at her uncle's home in Killand. She was charged with the murder of Julia Martha Thomas and larceny for the theft and attempted sale of Julia's property. The chapter explores Kate's attempts to pin the blame on John Church, a furniture salesman who had purchased Julia's belongings, but the charges against him were eventually dropped. The podcast also discusses John Church's denial of any involvement in the crime and his account of his interactions with Kate.
The Trial
This Chapter focuses on the trial of Kate Webster. The podcast discusses the evidence presented by both the prosecution and the defense, including Kate's attempts to shift blame onto others and the prosecution's strong case against her. The chapter highlights the shocking details of the crime, including the dismemberment of Julia's body and the disposal of her remains in the Thames. The chapter also explores the legal arguments presented by both sides and the jury's ultimate verdict.
The Missing Skull
This Chapter focuses on the discovery of Julia Martha Thomas's skull in David Attenborough's garden 130 years after the murder. The podcast discusses the search for the missing skull, the eventual discovery, and the confirmation of Kate Webster's guilt. The chapter highlights the enduring mystery surrounding the case and the surprising twist that brought closure to the investigation.
Keywords
Richmond Murder
The Richmond Murder refers to the murder of Julia Martha Thomas, a twice-widowed schoolteacher, in Richmond, a middle-class neighborhood in southwest London, in the late 19th century. The case gained notoriety for its brutality and the shocking nature of the crime, which involved the dismemberment of the victim's body.
Julia Martha Thomas
Julia Martha Thomas was the victim of the Richmond Murder. She was a twice-widowed schoolteacher known for her eccentric personality and commitment to appearances. She was described as being easily excitable and demanding of her servants. Her murder shocked the community and captivated Londoners for months.
Kate Webster
Kate Webster was the maid who murdered Julia Martha Thomas. She had a history of crime and deception, including numerous aliases and a career in robbery. Despite Julia's attempts to reform her, Kate's true nature emerged, leading to the violent murder. Kate's case highlights the complexities of human nature and the potential for violence even in seemingly ordinary individuals.
Scotland Yard
Scotland Yard is the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police Service, the primary police force for Greater London. The detectives from Scotland Yard played a crucial role in investigating the Richmond Murder, facing challenges in the 19th century, including the lack of modern technology and the difficulty in tracking down a criminal who had fled the city. Their investigation led to the arrest and trial of Kate Webster.
19th Century Crime
The Richmond Murder is a prime example of 19th century crime, highlighting the social and cultural context of the time. The case reflects the societal views on women and crime, the limited resources available to law enforcement, and the brutality that could occur in seemingly ordinary settings. The podcast explores the historical context of the crime and its impact on the community.
David Attenborough
Sir David Attenborough is a renowned British broadcaster and natural historian. He is known for his work on nature documentaries, including the BBC series "Planet Earth" and "Blue Planet." The discovery of Julia Martha Thomas's skull in his garden in 2010 added a surprising twist to the Richmond Murder case.
Old Bailey
The Old Bailey is a historic courthouse in London, England. It is the central criminal court for Greater London and is known for its role in high-profile trials. The trial of Kate Webster for the murder of Julia Martha Thomas took place at the Old Bailey in 1879.
Werner Slay
Werner Slay was the lawyer who defended Kate Webster during her trial for the murder of Julia Martha Thomas. He argued that the crown had no physical evidence connecting Kate to the murder and that the evidence they did have was entirely circumstantial. He also attempted to portray Kate as a young woman and mother who could not have committed such a heinous act.
Harry Poland
Harry Poland was the prosecutor in the trial of Kate Webster for the murder of Julia Martha Thomas. He presented a strong case against Kate, citing her criminal history and the evidence that connected her to the crime. He also highlighted the shocking details of the murder, including the dismemberment of Julia's body and the disposal of her remains in the Thames.
Q&A
Who was Julia Martha Thomas and what was she known for?
Julia Martha Thomas was the victim of the Richmond Murder. She was a twice-widowed schoolteacher known for her eccentric personality, commitment to appearances, and demanding nature towards her servants.
What was Kate Webster's criminal history and how did she meet Julia?
Kate Webster had a history of crime and deception, including numerous aliases and a career in robbery. She met Julia through a mutual acquaintance, Lucy Loader, who recommended her as a maid. Despite Julia's attempts to reform her, Kate's true nature emerged, leading to the murder.
How did Kate Webster murder Julia Martha Thomas?
In a fit of rage, Kate pushed Julia down the stairs, choked her, and dismembered her body. She then disposed of the remains in the Thames, believing she had committed the perfect crime.
What evidence led to Kate Webster's arrest?
The discovery of Julia's remains in a box floating in the Thames, the testimony of a local boy who helped her carry a box to the river, and the discovery of the copper pot and blood stains in Julia's home all contributed to Kate's arrest.
What happened during Kate Webster's trial?
Kate was charged with the murder of Julia Martha Thomas and larceny for the theft and attempted sale of Julia's property. She attempted to pin the blame on John Church, a furniture salesman who had purchased Julia's belongings, but the charges against him were eventually dropped. Kate's trial highlighted the shocking brutality of the crime and the complexities of her character.
What was the key piece of evidence that confirmed Kate Webster's guilt?
The discovery of Julia Martha Thomas's skull in David Attenborough's garden in 2010 provided the final piece of evidence that confirmed Kate's guilt. Kate had claimed to have buried the skull in a vacant lot, but it was never found until its discovery in Attenborough's garden 130 years later.
What happened to Kate Webster after her conviction?
Kate Webster was sentenced to death and executed by hanging on July 29, 1879. She made a full confession to the murder the night before her execution, admitting to throwing Julia down the stairs, choking her, and dismembering her body. She also admitted to disposing of the remains in the Thames and wearing Julia's clothing.
What was the significance of the discovery of Julia Martha Thomas's skull?
The discovery of Julia's skull in 2010 brought closure to the Richmond Murder case, confirming Kate Webster's guilt and providing a final piece of evidence that had been missing for over 130 years. It also highlighted the enduring mystery surrounding the case and the surprising twists that can occur in historical investigations.
Show Notes
In early March 1879, fifty-five-year-old widow Julia Martha Thomas disappeared from her home in southwest London. Julia often travelled by herself on moment’s notice, so neighbors thought nothing of her absence; however, when several female body parts were discovered in the Thames, police uncovered a gruesome crime that not only involved theft and impersonation, but also the ghastly murder of Julia Martha Thomas.
Thomas’s maid, Kate Webster, was quickly arrested and charged with Julia’s murder. Through their investigation, detectives discovered that Thomas had recently given Webster notice of termination after only one month. Days before she was to leave Thomas’ home, Webster murdered her employer, then dismembered her body and posed as Julia in order to sell off the murdered woman’s belongings for a quick profit. Although she maintained her innocence, Kate Webster was tried, convicted, and executed for the crime, finally confessing her guilt just hours before she went to the gallows.
The ”Richmond Murder,” as it was dubbed by the press, captivated Londoners for months and Webster’s trial and execution became something of a public spectacle. In Victorian-era England, few people believed a woman capable of committing murder, much less dismemberment and rendering of a human body. Given that, and the shocking viciousness of the crime itself, the Richmond Murder remains one of London’s most notorious murders of the late nineteenth century.
Thank you to the incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research!
References
Birmingham Evening Mail. 1879. "Solution of the Barnes mystery." Birmingham Evenign Mail, March 26: 3.
Blake, Matt. 2011. Attenborough skull mystery finally solved. July 6. Accessed June 23, 2024. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/attenborough-skull-mystery-finally-solved-2307530.html.
Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper. 1879. "The Barnes mystery." Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper, March 16: 5.
O'Donnell, Elliot. 2010. The Trial of Kate Webster. New York, NY: Gale, Making of Modern Law.
Portsmouth Evening News. 1879. "The Richmond murder." Portsmouth Evening News, July 9: 3.
Shaver Hughes, Sarah, and Brady Hughes. 1997. Women in World History: Readings fom 1500 to the Present. London, UK: Routledge.
The Citizen. 1879. "The Barnes Mystery." The Citizen, March 13: 3.
The Journal. 1879. "The Barnes mystery." The Journal, March 14: 3.
The Times. 1879. "TRhe murder and mutilation at Richmond." Reynold's Newspaper, April 6: 6.
—. 1879. "The murder at Richmond." The Times, April 1: 5.
—. 1879. "The supposed tragedy at Richmond." The Times, April 3: 2.
Wood, Walter. 1916. Survivors' Tales of Famous Crimes. London, UK: Cassell.
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