Most interesting unsolved non-serial killer cases

[sdreid]

Mattson was taken late in 1936 and his body was found early in 1937.

[louisa]

I have just finished reading this book. I can recommend it. It was written towards the end of the 19th century by a former Governer of the Tate Prison in London. It's interesting, packed with interesting Victorian murder cases, and very well written.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Victorian-Murders-Mysteries-Police-Crime/dp/0752455249/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1332774447&sr=1-2

[sdreid]

Thanks Louisa - how many cases does it cover?

[louisa]

Hi Stan,

It covers hundreds of cases, some you will probably know, but lots of more obscure ones too.

Because it was written over 100 years ago it gives an insight into the mind workings of the authorities at the time as well.

[kidtwist]

I've been reading that book too. It's good but it's mistitled. Many of the cases pre-date the Victorian era by up to a century.

[brummie]

Caught the middle of a documentary on one of the sky channels a few days ago, that may be one of the oldest mystery deaths, featuring the death of Amy Robsart in 1560.
The official line at the time was that it was an accidental death in which she broke her neck after falling down a flight of 8 stairs. This didn't stop the gossip springing up almost immediately and fingers being pointed,privately at least at her husband Robert Dudley and indeed even at his erstwhile 'lover' Elizabeth I. The official inquest report,missing for centuries until turning up fairly recently in the national archives does indeed make mention of 2 other deep head wounds. The motive being to clear the way for Dudley to marry Elizabeth.If that was the case it failed miserably since we know from history that such marriage never took place,possibly because the level of gossip and speculation about murder was so great,not helped by the fact that there had been gossip among ambassadors at Elizabeths court for many months before hand to the effect that Dudley was unsuccessfully attempting to poison his wife.Indeed as I recall the progamme suggested that the murder was ordered by the queens minister Cecil knowing that the amount of scandal would make marriage to Dudley impossible.
I have since been able to find a book, 'Death and The Virgin' by Chris Skidmore, so we will see what this brings to light.

[sdreid]

That's big historical one brummie. I have it at #319 on my top 400 classic unsolved murder list over on another site.

[Beowulf]

Of course I've wondered about many on those other lists, but these are the ones that intrigue me:

Hall-Mills murders
William Desmond Taylor.
The two murdered princes in the Tower of London.
Edgar Allen Poe.

[HollyDolly]

Most interesting unsolved non-serial killer cases

Alison Weir on her book about Elizabeth the First mentions the same thing.She too mentions the gossip about Dudley wanting to get rid of his wife, and supposedly Elizabeth told some sone, I think an ambassadore thatAmy was dying or dead several days before it happend.Weir also mentions too about maybe Cecil having Amy Robsart killed to prevent the marriage of Elizabeth and Dudley.I have no idea where these authors came up with this information,as from what I ever heard it was Dudley who was commonly believed to be behind his wife's death.

[sdreid]

As with Marat, there is a crime scene masterpiece.

[jason_c]

Alison Weir on her book about Elizabeth the First mentions the same thing.She too mentions the gossip about Dudley wanting to get rid of his wife, and supposedly Elizabeth told some sone, I think an ambassadore thatAmy was dying or dead several days before it happend.Weir also mentions too about maybe Cecil having Amy Robsart killed to prevent the marriage of Elizabeth and Dudley.I have no idea where these authors came up with this information,as from what I ever heard it was Dudley who was commonly believed to be behind his wife's death.

I think the information about Elizabeth and Cecil came from dispatches sent by foreign ambassadors in England. As with much from that time its difficult to separate accurate reporting and propaganda. Though I think both conversations were from first hand accounts which does give them more credence.

[sdreid]

That's big historical one brummie. I have it at #319 on my top 400 classic unsolved murder list over on another site.

Eventually at least a Top 500

[sdreid]

Hopefully I'll have a 500 list with a 15 almost made it group done some time next year.

[sdreid]

If I just put up 5 a month, that should about do it.

[Magpie]

Is the Peter Ivers murder on the list?