Episode 589: John George Haigh: The Acid Bath Murderer

Update: 2024-08-08

Digest

This episode of "Morbid" explores the life and crimes of John Hay, a British serial killer known as the "Acid Bath Murderer." The episode begins by introducing John Hayes, a man with a troubled past and a penchant for fraud. It details his upbringing in a strict religious household, his early attempts at conning businesses, and his eventual arrest and imprisonment for forgery and fraud. The episode then follows Hayes' escalating criminal activities, including his car dealership scam and subsequent prison sentence. It also highlights the impact of his crimes on his wife, Beatrice, who ultimately put their child up for adoption. The episode then recounts Hayes' encounters with the wealthy Mixwan family, particularly Donald Mixwan. He worked as a chauffeur for the family, befriended Donald, and later returned to his criminal ways, defrauding someone of a significant sum of money. The episode details Hayes' attempts to avoid military service during World War II. Despite registering for service, he was arrested for stealing household goods and returned to prison. He later failed to attend a medical review for military service, successfully avoiding combat. The episode describes Hayes' time in prison, where he charmed both inmates and guards. He obtained a job in the tinsmith's shop, learning to work with acid and chemicals. He also engaged in animal cruelty, killing field mice and dissolving them in sulfuric acid. The episode covers Hayes' release from prison and his subsequent move back in with his parents. He later rented a room in London and obtained a job as a bookkeeper. However, a car accident in 1944 would have a significant impact on his future. The episode recounts Hayes' chance encounter with Donald Mixwan at a pub. Despite his past criminal activities, Donald seemed happy to see him and offered him a job collecting rents. The two rekindled their friendship, and Hayes enjoyed the benefits of having a wealthy friend. The episode reveals the shocking disappearance of Donald Mixwan. Hayes, who had been collecting rents for the Mixwan family, claimed that Donald had gone to Scotland to avoid the military draft. However, in his confession, Hayes admitted to murdering Donald in a fit of rage and dissolving his body in acid. The episode then details how Hayes, after murdering Donald Mixwan, forges letters to his parents, posing as Donald. He convinces them to meet him in his workshop, where he kills them both and dissolves their bodies in acid. The episode then shifts to an advertisement for the podcast "Hysterical," which explores a mysterious illness that spread through a high school in Leroy, New York. It then transitions to an advertisement for the podcast "Scam Influencers," which investigates infamous scams and the impact on victims. The episode then returns to the story of John Hay, now known as the "Acid Bath Murderer." After murdering the Mixwans, Hay sells their belongings and forges a power of attorney to gain control of their assets. He then continues to engage in various scams and fraud schemes. The episode details how Hay targets a wealthy couple, Archibald and Rose Henderson, and befriends them. He lures Archie to his workshop, where he shoots him and dissolves his body in acid. He then kills Rose in the same manner. The episode then focuses on Hay's murder of Olive Durand Deacon, a wealthy widow. He befriends her and lures her to his workshop under the pretense of discussing her artificial fingernail invention, where he shoots her and dissolves her body in acid. The episode details how Olive's friend Constance Lane reports her missing after she fails to show up for breakfast. Police investigate and suspect Hay, who has been late on his rent and suddenly paid it in full. They find evidence of Olive's murder at his workshop and arrest him. The episode concludes with Hay's confession and trial. He initially claims to be a victim of blackmail but eventually confesses to Olive's murder. He attempts to use an insanity defense, claiming he was a "vampire killer," but his claims are rejected. He is found guilty and sentenced to death. The episode ends with Hay's execution by hanging at Wandsworth Prison. The podcast concludes with a reflection on the heinous nature of his crimes and the impact on his victims.

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