About this episode
The Murder of Vera Page: A Case That Science Couldn't SolveNews of the Times | Episode 576 | 1931 In 1931, the disappearance of 10-year-old Vera Page sent shockwaves through Hammersmith, West London. When her body was discovered days later, concealed in a garden mere yards from her home, public outrage erupted — and police turned to their most famous forensic expert, Sir Bernard Spilsbury, to help secure a conviction.Confident in his findings, Spilsbury offered precise testimony on time of death and fibre analysis. But despite his assertions, the case never led to a conviction. In later years, his conclusions were heavily criticised, with modern experts pointing to serious flaws in his methods — raising troubling questions about how justice was pursued, and at what cost. Featuring:• The tragic death of Vera Page• Spilsbury’s courtroom dominance• Fibre and pathology claims that didn’t hold up• An enduring mystery, and a legacy of doubtThis week’s Further Particulars takes us back to 1893 Soho, where one envelope cutter discovered — too late — that not every conversation starter needs to be followed by demonstration.What began as a night of friendly boasting at the Carlyle Arms quickly turned tragic when someone posed the eternal question:“Do you think a billiard ball would fit in my mouth?”?Hosted by Robin Coles ? New episodes: Monday, Wednesday & Friday ? Related cases from the archive: 1930: The Blazing Car Murderer | EP407https://youtu.be/qqspUfNxmsA1930: The Case of the Body in the Wall Murder | EP424https://youtu.be/JgMZHtDud881933: The Morton Murder | EP452 https://youtu.be/u5mrp3tbB-Y?? Support Independent History If you enjoy our ad-free, archive-based storytelling, help us keep the lantern lit: ? **Patreon** – Full archive, early access, bonus compilations (and it keeps us independent): https://www.patreon.com/NewsOfTheTimesHistoricalCrime ? Prefer a one-off thank-you? We LOVE a posh coffee indulgence! We tip our top hats: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/newsofthetd? About the Channel We’re an independent team of historical researchers and narrators specialising in 18th to early 20th century British true crime. Each episode is based entirely on archival material — from coroners’ inquests to forgotten newspap Hear about our ad-free archive on Patreon – 650+ episodes and counting! ? https://www.patreon.com/c/NewsoftheTimesHistoricalCrime Fancy a chuckle between corpses? Discover our first lovingly illustrated volume of wildly unreliable memoirs. Grab it here: https://ko-fi.com/s/b406f
