Francis Hermans - Update - Solid evidence of him being in vicinity of torso murders.

[MrBarnett]

In May 1887 he was definitely in London, in December 1887 he was in Le Havre, then in November 1889 he was in Glasgow and in early April 1891 he was in Liverpool.

He definitely traveled around a lot!

How do we know he was in Le Havre in December, 1887 or in Glasgow in November, 1889?

[Abby Normal]

In May 1887 he was definitely in London, in December 1887 he was in Le Havre, then in November 1889 he was in Glasgow and in early April 1891 he was in Liverpool.

He definitely traveled around a lot!

thanks Ast
well none of this rules him out for any of the torso murders so far.

[jerryd]

At the start I thought it was possible but now it seems very unlikely, however, it seems her family only found out about her death in a newspaper article published in November 1889 and I don't believe their was a funeral of any sort which to me seems quite suspicious.

Yes, I wonder when she was last seen alive by friends or family. It is also worth noting that Dr. Hibbert stated the Pinchin Street torso victim had not borne children. That would have been the closest torso death near her own death date in November 1889.

[Astatine211]

Thank you. Are you thinking she was one of the torso victims?

At the start I thought it was possible but now it seems very unlikely, however, it seems her family only found out about her death in a newspaper article published in November 1889 and I don't believe their was a funeral of any sort which to me seems quite suspicious.

[jerryd]

Emmeline was 32 when she was murdered.

Thank you. Are you thinking she was one of the torso victims?

[Astatine211]

Astatine.

Do you know when, exactly, Hermans was in Glasgow with Emmeline? Her death notice in your clip above seems to indicate she died in Glasgow Nov. 16, 1889. Also, how old was Emmeline? Have you determined that yet?

Emmeline was 32 when she was murdered.

[MrBarnett]

Even better if he was staying and occasionally working in London on his own.

Ideally he’d want a bolt hole in SW London.

I saw something about the Le Havre Sailor’s Home struggling with debts in the 1880s/90s, but I can’t find it again. It may have had nothing to do with your guy, but who knows?

[Astatine211]

Also I looked into the 1917 arrest and supposedly Salt Lake Police received a telegram about it so it should be in case file if true.

[Astatine211]

This hints there could've been even more unknown victims murdered by him however it could also easily be myth. Also that sure is a pretty scary looking church.

[Astatine211]

But his wife was said to have worked in France for 5 years before going to Scotland.

Even better if he was staying and occasionally working in London on his own.

[MrBarnett]

i know and thanks gary. but i know you crack researchers can find it!

If his diary comes to light, we’ll have him bang to rights. ;-)

[MrBarnett]

In May 1887 he was definitely in London, in December 1887 he was in Le Havre, then in November 1889 he was in Glasgow and in early April 1891 he was in Liverpool.

He definitely traveled around a lot!

But his wife was said to have worked in France for 5 years before going to Scotland.

[Astatine211]

is there anything on when and how long he was in england/ london and when he left? i think if were going to rule him out for any of the london torso murders we need to establish this first.

In May 1887 he was definitely in London, in December 1887 he was in Le Havre, then in November 1889 he was in Glasgow and in early April 1891 he was in Liverpool.

He definitely traveled around a lot!

[Abby Normal]

Not that easy, Abby. In 1887, while running the Sailors’ Home in Le Havre, he popped up in the City of London to attend a conference.

i know and thanks gary. but i know you crack researchers can find it!

[MrBarnett]

is there anything on when and how long he was in england/ london and when he left? i think if were going to rule him out for any of the london torso murders we need to establish this first.

Not that easy, Abby. In 1887, while running the Sailors’ Home in Le Havre, he popped up in the City of London to attend a conference.