History Daily The John Christie Murders
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Mar 24, 2026 A grisly London discovery reveals multiple hidden female bodies behind wallpaper. A desperate woman seeks an illegal abortion and turns to a neighbor who betrays her trust. A wrongful conviction and execution cast a long shadow before the true killer is unmasked. The case sparks a manhunt, confessions, and a national reckoning over capital punishment.
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Tenant's Curiosity Uncovers Hidden Bodies
- Tenant Beresford Brown discovered a hollow-sounding wall at 10 Rillington Place and peeled back wallpaper to find a woman's corpse in an alcove.
- Shining his torch farther revealed multiple bodies hidden behind panels and under floorboards.
Evans Couple Turned To Neighbor For Illegal Abortion
- Timothy Evans confided Beryl sought an illegal abortion and trusted neighbor John Christie to perform it.
- Christie claimed the procedure failed, then advised Timothy to leave and offered to care for baby Geraldine, later presenting the bodies as found evidence.
Christie's Testimony Tipped The Trial Against Timothy Evans
- The trial relied heavily on John Christie's testimony painting Timothy as violent, which swayed the jury after only 40 minutes of deliberation.
- Timothy's contested confession was accepted despite Christie's own criminal record, leading to a conviction and execution in March 1950.