The Ratcliff Highway murders (sometimes Ratcliffe Highway murders) were two vicious attacks on two separate families that resulted in multiple fatalities. They occurred during a twelve day interval in December, 1811, in homes half a mile apart near Wapping in London.
| Ratcliff Highway Murders | |
|---|---|
Postmortem sketch of John Williams, supposed murderer |
|
| Other names | John Murphy |
| Location | Wapping, London, England |
| Date | December 7 and 19, 1811 |
| Deaths | Timothy Marr, Celia Marr, Timothy Marr (3 mos.), James Gowan, John Williamson, Elizabeth Williamson, Bridget Anna Harrington |
| Result | Declared guilty after committing suicide in his prison cell, December 28, 1811 |
Read more about Ratcliff Highway Murders: First Murders, Significance, The Investigation, The Second Murders, The Survivor's Testimony, The Suspect, A Break in The Case, The Suicide, Some Alternate Suspects, Puzzling Motivation, Media, Police, Television, Novel
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