Sisters, Poison, and Betrayal: The Forfar Murder Case of 1827

Sisters, Poison, and Betrayal: The Forfar Murder Case of 1827
News of the Times | Episode 540 | 1827
IIn the quiet Scottish town of Forfar, 1827, a tragic case unfolds — one shrouded in domestic routine, whispered secrets, and the quiet horror of suspicion. 

When a blind, unmarried young woman named dies suddenly following childbirth, townsfolk are gripped not only by the circumstances of her death, but by the implications that soon follow.

 Her infant, born of a concealed pregnancy, dies just days later. 

All eyes turn to her older sister, — the caregiver, the housekeeper… and perhaps, the woman with most to lose.

Could jealousy or a long-simmering rivalry between sisters have turned deadly? 

Was there a clandestine love triangle involving a former lodger — one who may have fathered the child of the now dead sisters?

This haunting case from the early 19th century examines class, gender, and quiet desperation in a society that left little room for female autonomy — where even the smallest scandal could ruin a life, and an infant’s birth might end in more than one burial.

Drawn entirely from period sources, this case is a fascinating glimpse into 19th-century justice, forensic guesswork, and the fragile bonds of family when suspicion takes root.

📜 Expect:
• Sudden illnesses and suspicious substances
• Servants whispering in hallways
• A slow-burn trial with unexpected turns

💔 Further Particulars — The Window-Smasher's Serenade
Think Victorian love stories were all lace bonnets and piano duets? Think again.
We round out today’s episode with the tale of Miss Matilda Cronin, who took a more... assertive approach to heartbreak in 1849.

After being ghosted by one George Marsh, she arrived beneath his window at midnight to sing him a little something special — followed by a slap to the cheek and a well-timed assault on his front windows. Matilda may not have won George’s heart, but she definitely broke his glazing. 💥💘

👤 Narrated by Robin Coles  

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