Hammersmith Nude Murders (Stripper)

[Neil Milkins]

Hammersmith nudes

Hi Jeff, A bit at a time. (1) Shortly before Jones was released from Wandsworth Prison after having served 20 years for 2 child murders the Governor of Maidstone Prison wrote this about Jones. "I am convinced that his crimes cause him no worry. He is callous but would be the last to admit it. Sad as it may seem I can see no hopeful prospects for Jones in the future." Jones was shortly after, released onto an unsuspecting public. From 1948-1962 using the name "Harry Stevens" he lived at 29 Hestercombe Avenue Fulham.
Then 1963-1965 the exact times of the 7 Hammersmith murders he "dissapears". Then 1966-1971 he is residing at 51 Aldensley Road Hammersmith using the name "Harry Jones.(coincidence?)

[sdreid]

Hi Neil,

Then why exactly do you think he stopped killing?

[Jeff Leahy]

Hi Neil

Looks like i'm going to have to order a copy of your book. Can I do that over the phone anywhere by debt card?

Are you discounting Elizebeth Figg, found dead 17th June 1959 on the towpath Hammersmith? For your Jones theory?

A number of theorists do. Some have even suggested Rees and Tailford might not be victims. Largely because Rees body was badly decomposed and some suggested Tailford commented suicide. (although this seems very unlikely, suicides don't take their clothes off and put their knickers in their mouth before they jump...)

Anyway we're glad to have you on board. We are very interested in putting a complete list of suspects and victims together.

yours Jeff

PS. In your research did you ever come across more about the girls being linked to the production of 8 mm porn films?

[Neil Milkins]

Hammersmith nudes

Hi Stan, Jones died in Hammersmith hospital from cancer in 1971. The killings stopped in 1965. If it was Jones, was he to ill too continue on his spree? Or was the huge police prescence too much for him? Or had he reached his target of 7? Figg may have been a warm up killing. Incidently when Jones was arrested for the murder of the second child in Abertillery, found in his trouser pocket was 7 ladies handkerchiefs. At his trial the prosecuting barrister expressed his belief regarding the handkerchiefs "there may have been some perverted lust playing a part in this deed." Is there possibly a link between the 7 handkerchiefs of 1921 and the 7 1963-1965 killings?

Hi Jeff, I have nothing to do with the sale of my book. Maybe my publisher can help. The number is 01495 212600

[sdreid]

Thanks Neil. Yes, I can see those a possibilities why a killer would stop.

[Jeff Leahy]

You'd have to elliminate some of the Victims:

Elizebeth Figg 1959

Gwynneth Rees 1963

Hannah Tailford 1964

Irene Lockwood 1964

Helene Barthelemy 1964

Mary Flemming 1964

Frances Brown 1964

Bridget O'Hara 1965

Poss: Susan Smith 1965

thats eight possibly nine?

Many thanks for the number

Jeff

[sdreid]

Thanks Jeff. Do you know if Smith was prostitute?

[Jeff Leahy]

No she's only mentioned in James Mortons chapter in 'Fighters'

As far as my memory goes she is NOT mentioned in 'Jack of Jumpers' and Seabrook had access to the police files..and not mentioned by McConnell

So where you start finding out more I'm not certain..?

[Neil Milkins]

Hammersmith nudes

I may have some information on Jones' whereabouts between 1963 and 1965 shortly. At least one London newspaper is covering the Jones-Hammersmith link this Friday(15-8-08.) In his book Jack of Jumps, David Seabrook asks on the inside front cover. "Why did the killer store their bodies in a warehouse?"

In his statement to the police after admitting killing Florence Little, Jones bragged how he he beaten Scotland Yard regarding the first murder (Freda Burnell) He told how he had murdered Freda in Mortimer's warehouse leaving her there before dumping her body later. Is the warehouse the link? Was Jones leaving subtle clues at Hammersmith? Briget O'Hara went missing on January 11th 1965 the day of Jones' birthday! She was last seen with two Welshmen and an older man!

Regards Neil.

[Cap'n Jack]

I was wondering if any of you good people had ever investigated the obvious links between the Hammersmith Nude Murders and the earlier Stephen Ward case, where two of the murdered women gave evidence at trial, implicating Ward in the prostitution of very young girls to members of high society and the establishment... and appear to have paid the ultimate price for their evidence.
Prior to the Stephen Ward case, and the Hammersmith Murders, Stephen Ward had been involved in several cases involving the murder, or 'accidental death' of several prostitutes linked to two of the Hammersmith victims, these being Ruth Ellis and Vicki Martin.
It is entirely possible that all of the victims of 'Jack the Stripper' had actually been killed for what they knew, rather than what they were; and that very senior police officers involved in the investigation were completely aware of this.

[sdreid]

Jeff-Thanks for clearing that up about Smith.

Jack-I have wondered a little about a possible Ward connection but haven't really gotten into it. Jeff was trying to find some tie-in between the girls regarding the "blue films" assertion. I suppose Ward or his associates might have been involved in that sort of thing.

Neil-Why would you think that Jones would wait that length of time from getting out of prison to resuming his killing?

[Neil Milkins]

Hammersmith murders

Stan, I don't believe Jones did wait so long to murder again. The detective at Scotland Yard who did a three month investigation regarding Jones' possible involvement in any sort of serious crime while living in Fulham and Hammermith between 1948 and 1971 while using various aliases told me on the phone last December that he believed that Jones possibly had an involvement in the murder of 11 year old Muriel Drinkwater in Swansea in 1946 and the murder of 6 Year old Carol Stephens from Cardiff who was murdered in 1959. He said that in spite of what he believed, there was nothing to link Jones to Carol but that D.N.A left at the 1946 murder scene may nail Jones for Muriel's murder. A letter I recieved from the detective on 6th December 2007 reads:
"Dear Neil, Re: Harold Jones. Thank you for all the assistance in this matter, the information you have provided me has proved to be very helpful. My enquiries are now complete and have led me to conclude, that Jones would have presented a danger to young girls throughout his life.....All relevant information relating to Jones has now been pased to South Wales Police, Major Crime Review Unit, who are currently in the process of making further enquiries into the murder of Muriel Drinkwater.....

[sdreid]

Interesting Neil - then perhaps the question should be, why would he switch from children to grown women?

[jonty1965]

Hi everyone, firstly can I say that I've personally read Neil's book and was hooked on it from the minute I started to the end, I read it in one sitting! That is also the view of many many friends of mine who have also bought the book. In reply to Stan's latest comment re Harold Jones' turning his attention from girls to women, remember that when the 2 girls were murdered in Abertillery, Jones was still only 15 himself. Do all murderers who start off young themselves whose victims were also young, stick with young victims for the rest of their murderous lives? Jones married and had a child, so he obviously was interested in grown women too. Regards to all, Jonty

[sdreid]

In reply to Stan's latest comment re Harold Jones' turning his attention from girls to women, remember that when the 2 girls were murdered in Abertillery, Jones was still only 15 himself. Do all murderers who start off young themselves whose victims were also young, stick with young victims for the rest of their murderous lives? Jones married and had a child, so he obviously was interested in grown women too. Regards to all, Jonty

That question, actually, was in regard to the possibility that Jones killed young girls in 1946 and 1959 then switched to adult females in either 1959 or 1963. It was not a challenge. I was just wondering if there was an explanation that someone had posited. He could have just decided to switch, I suppose, but I would think there would more likely be some reason to do so.