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Poisoner in the Family: The Dark Tale of Ellen Heesom

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Manage episode 482630487 series 3373673
Content provided by Robin Coles. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Robin Coles or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ppacc.player.fm/legal.

Poisoner in the Family: The Dark Tale of Ellen Heesom
News of the Times Episode 491 | 1878
In today’s story we’re going back to Cheshire in the year 1878, where beneath the quiet surface of Warrington, a dark and deadly secret is about to be revealed.
It begins in late November 1877 with the sudden and tragic death of Lydia Sykes, aged 59, while visiting her daughter Ellen Heesom and her family. In good health when she arrived, Lydia became violently ill within hours and, despite receiving the usual treatments, passed away the very next day.
Her sudden death raised alarm bells — not only because of its swiftness, but because it echoed a tragedy just six weeks earlier: the death of Ellen’s 12-month-old daughter, Sarah Heesom.
Growing unease among neighbours and authorities led Lydia’s long-time doctor to take action. Disturbed by the circumstances, he requested an autopsy — and what followed uncovered a disturbing pattern of death within the family.
Soon, another daughter’s untimely passing was recalled… and the investigation took a chilling turn that would eventually draw in none other than Dr. Joseph Bell, the brilliant analyst widely referenced as the inspiration behind Sherlock Holmes himself.
But before we close, in our end of episode "Further Particulars" segment, we’ll shift gears and head into Victorian society for a lighter, if not slightly cruel tale — that of an unlucky amateur boxer who steps into the ring with a champion... only to become the laughingstock of his neighbourhood after defeat. Did his community rally behind him? Not quite.
Hosted by Robin Coles.
#NewsofTheTimes #truecrimedocumentary #truecrime #truecrimepodcast #victorian #history
Patreon: patreon.com/NewsoftheTimesHistoricalCrime
YouTube Chronicle of the Times: @chronicleofthetimes2024
f you like this, here are links to some other recommended videos:
1873 - 1898: Crime Tales from The Raj | EP376
https://youtu.be/F_Q1Rw-7bXQ
1877: The Case of Serial Killer Count De Tourville | EP379
https://youtu.be/C-2LGyCAMqw
1878: The Canadian Monster - Joseph LaPage | EP380
https://youtu.be/wB_gjPMsNn4
1864 & 1878: Distrubing Cases of Matricide | EP393
https://youtu.be/zvn0Jq3d75A
1877?: The Case of Edinburgh's Last Public Execution | EP436

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/b406f6f11e

Support us on Patreon for ad-free early access and exclusive bonus episodes.

https://www.patreon.com/c/NewsoftheTimesHistoricalCrime

Support the show

Thanks for listening! You can also connect with us on
Our YouTube Channel: | https://www.youtube.com/@newsofthetimes
Our Facebook Page: | https://www.facebook.com/News-of-the-Times-101108282697405
Have a question or comment? Get in touch with us at [email protected]
If you would like to donate, we love coffee! Warmly appreciated :-) | https://www.buymeacoffee.com/newsofthetd

  continue reading

Chapters

1. Poisoner in the Family: The Dark Tale of Ellen Heesom (00:00:00)

2. [Ad] Persons of Interest (00:17:08)

3. (Cont.) Poisoner in the Family: The Dark Tale of Ellen Heesom (00:17:41)

676 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 482630487 series 3373673
Content provided by Robin Coles. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Robin Coles or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ppacc.player.fm/legal.

Poisoner in the Family: The Dark Tale of Ellen Heesom
News of the Times Episode 491 | 1878
In today’s story we’re going back to Cheshire in the year 1878, where beneath the quiet surface of Warrington, a dark and deadly secret is about to be revealed.
It begins in late November 1877 with the sudden and tragic death of Lydia Sykes, aged 59, while visiting her daughter Ellen Heesom and her family. In good health when she arrived, Lydia became violently ill within hours and, despite receiving the usual treatments, passed away the very next day.
Her sudden death raised alarm bells — not only because of its swiftness, but because it echoed a tragedy just six weeks earlier: the death of Ellen’s 12-month-old daughter, Sarah Heesom.
Growing unease among neighbours and authorities led Lydia’s long-time doctor to take action. Disturbed by the circumstances, he requested an autopsy — and what followed uncovered a disturbing pattern of death within the family.
Soon, another daughter’s untimely passing was recalled… and the investigation took a chilling turn that would eventually draw in none other than Dr. Joseph Bell, the brilliant analyst widely referenced as the inspiration behind Sherlock Holmes himself.
But before we close, in our end of episode "Further Particulars" segment, we’ll shift gears and head into Victorian society for a lighter, if not slightly cruel tale — that of an unlucky amateur boxer who steps into the ring with a champion... only to become the laughingstock of his neighbourhood after defeat. Did his community rally behind him? Not quite.
Hosted by Robin Coles.
#NewsofTheTimes #truecrimedocumentary #truecrime #truecrimepodcast #victorian #history
Patreon: patreon.com/NewsoftheTimesHistoricalCrime
YouTube Chronicle of the Times: @chronicleofthetimes2024
f you like this, here are links to some other recommended videos:
1873 - 1898: Crime Tales from The Raj | EP376
https://youtu.be/F_Q1Rw-7bXQ
1877: The Case of Serial Killer Count De Tourville | EP379
https://youtu.be/C-2LGyCAMqw
1878: The Canadian Monster - Joseph LaPage | EP380
https://youtu.be/wB_gjPMsNn4
1864 & 1878: Distrubing Cases of Matricide | EP393
https://youtu.be/zvn0Jq3d75A
1877?: The Case of Edinburgh's Last Public Execution | EP436

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/b406f6f11e

Support us on Patreon for ad-free early access and exclusive bonus episodes.

https://www.patreon.com/c/NewsoftheTimesHistoricalCrime

Support the show

Thanks for listening! You can also connect with us on
Our YouTube Channel: | https://www.youtube.com/@newsofthetimes
Our Facebook Page: | https://www.facebook.com/News-of-the-Times-101108282697405
Have a question or comment? Get in touch with us at [email protected]
If you would like to donate, we love coffee! Warmly appreciated :-) | https://www.buymeacoffee.com/newsofthetd

  continue reading

Chapters

1. Poisoner in the Family: The Dark Tale of Ellen Heesom (00:00:00)

2. [Ad] Persons of Interest (00:17:08)

3. (Cont.) Poisoner in the Family: The Dark Tale of Ellen Heesom (00:17:41)

676 episodes

All episodes

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