Episode 582: The Murder of Julia Martha Thomas
On the Morbid podcast, Ash Kelley and Alaina Urquhart delve into the bizarre 1879 murder of Julia Martha Thomas, an eccentric yet respectable English woman who lived modestly despite projecting an image of wealth. They chronicle Thomas's strained relationship with her employee Kate Webster, who harbored a criminal history steeped in deception and theft. The hosts dissect Webster's ruthless dismemberment and disposal of Thomas's body parts after a dismissal dispute escalated to violence. The case gained notoriety both for the gruesome details uncovered during Webster's sensational trial and the decades-long mystery surrounding Thomas's missing head—which remained unsolved until 2010.
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Julia Martha Thomas, the Eccentric Victim
Julia Martha Thomas, born around 1823 in England, was an eccentric middle-class woman known for her paradoxical traits: respectable yet quirky. Although odd and demanding as an employer, O'Donnell notes, she lived modestly and loved solo travel despite societal expectations. Thomas took pride in her appearance, adorning herself with fine clothes and jewelry to project an image of wealth.
Kate Webster, the Criminal Suspect
Kate Webster, born Catherine Lawler, had a lifelong pattern of theft and deception from a young age. Ash Kelley and Alaina Urquhart highlight how she would pose as a lodging seeker to rob houses. With a rap sheet spanning her teens to late 20s, Webster claimed necessity after abandonment drove her back to crime to support herself and her child.
Julia's Murder and the Subsequent Investigation
In early 1879, Webster gained employment with Thomas, but their relationship quickly deteriorated. After a dismissal dispute, Webster violently killed Thomas. She then dismembered and boiled the body, disposing of remains in various locations while pretending to be Thomas. Circumstantial evidence and statements implicating Webster in the murder led to her arrest.
Webster's Sensational Trial and Conviction
At her 1879 trial, despite pleading innocence, Webster faced prosecution claims of her deviant history. Witness testimonies describing her ties to the crime scene led the jury to conviction, which Webster contested until execution. The decades-long mystery of Thomas's missing head was resolved in 2010 when workers discovered it in David Attenborough's garden.
1-Page Summary
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Actionables
- You can explore the complexities of human nature by writing a short story featuring a character with paradoxical traits, similar to Julia Martha Thomas, to understand how contrasting characteristics can coexist in one person. Start by outlining a character profile that includes both conventional and unconventional traits, then craft a narrative that puts these traits into action, showing how they affect the character's decisions and interactions with others.
- Enhance your personal safety when dealing with strangers by creating a reference checklist for vetting new acquaintances or tenants, inspired by Kate Webster's deceptive tactics. Include steps like asking for identification, checking references, and setting clear boundaries and agreements from the start. Share this checklist with friends or family members who might benefit from being more cautious in similar situations.
- Develop critical thinking skills by practicing how to piece together circumstantial evidence in everyday scenarios, taking inspiration from how Webster was implicated in the crime. Next time you face a situation where the truth isn't clear-cut, like a workplace mishap or a family disagreement, act as a detective by gathering indirect evidence, noting inconsistencies in stories, and considering the motives and opportunities of those involved to form a well-reasoned conclusion.
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The victim, Julia Martha Thomas, and her life
Julia Martha Thomas, born around 1823 in England, lived a life of paradoxes, marked by middle-class respectability and eccentricity.
Julia Martha Thomas was an eccentric middle-class woman born around 1823 in England
Thomas, twice widowed by 1873, was well-known in her neighborhood for her distinctive quirks. According to accounts by O'Donnell, she possessed a remarkably excitable temperament and would often become vexed for no apparent reason. She had a reputation as being very much a tartar to her servants, implying that she was domineering, bossy, and irritable. Despite these traits, which made her a demanding employer with high standards, she lived modestly in a small house adjacent to a pub in Richmond, Southwest London. Before settling into this quieter life, Thomas had spent most of her adult years as a schoolteacher.
Despite her quirks, Julia was well-liked by neighbors and enjoyed traveling alone
Julia Thomas was well-liked by her neighbors, who found her to be particularly interesting despite—or perhaps because of—her eccentricities. She had a penchant for travel, often leaving to visit various places alone. Not one to settle down for long, she frequently left friends and relatives without knowledge of her whereabouts, sometimes disappearing for weeks or months at a time without informing anyone of her travels.
Julia was committed to maintaining an appearance of wealth ...
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The victim, Julia Martha Thomas, and her life
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Actionables
- You can explore your own family history to connect with the past and understand your roots by starting a genealogy project using online resources and local archives to trace your lineage, much like uncovering the life story of historical figures.
- By researching your ancestors, you might discover interesting facts or patterns that have trickled down through generations. For example, you might find out that certain professions or traits are common in your family, which can give you a sense of belonging and identity.
- Reflect on how you present yourself to the world by conducting a personal branding audit, assessing your clothing, accessories, and online presence to ensure they align with the image you want to project.
- This could involve taking inventory of your wardrobe and deciding if it matches the professional or personal image you aim to convey. Similarly, review your social media profiles and posts to see if they reflect your desired reputation. You might decide to update your LinkedIn profile to better showcase your professional achievements or curate your Instagram feed to reflect your personal interests and values.
- Improve your interpersonal relationships by practicing active listening and empathy in conversations, especially with those who work for or with you, to foster ...
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The suspect, Kate Webster, and her criminal background
Kate Webster, whose true name was Catherine Lawler, led a life marked by theft and deception.
Kate Webster, born Catherine Lawler, had a long criminal history of theft and deception
Webster's personal history was marred by falsehoods, and with a criminal career that initiated in her teens, she consistently demonstrated her propensity for larceny.
From a young age, Kate was adept at stealing from lodging houses by posing as a potential lodger
Kate Webster was notorious for masquerading as someone interested in renting lodgings, a guise she used to pilfer from boarding houses. During these deceptions, she would either steal items during the initial tour or rent a room momentarily before fleeing with the stolen goods from the house and its lodgers. Her skill at theft was so advanced that it became her hallmark, although stealing from lodging houses is only hinted at by her background of thievery.
Kate had served multiple prison sentences for her crimes before arriving in London in the 1870s
By the age of 18, Webster had already been incarcerated for larceny. Her rap sheet only expanded from there, with convictions in 1867 leading to a four-year sentence, followed by an 18-month sentence in May 1875, and another 12 months in prison after a subsequent arrest for robbery.
Kate claimed to have been seduced and abandoned, leading her to return to a life of crime to support herself and her child
Webster would recount a tal ...
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The suspect, Kate Webster, and her criminal background
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Actionables
- You can enhance your awareness of deceptive behaviors by participating in a local theater group focused on crime dramas. By acting out scenarios similar to those used by historical figures like Kate Webster, you'll become more attuned to the subtleties of deceit and manipulation, which can help you recognize and protect yourself from such tactics in your daily life.
- Develop a habit of verifying references when interacting with new acquaintances or service providers. Just as Kate posed as a lodger to gain trust, you can safeguard against modern equivalents by always checking online reviews, asking for credentials, or seeking recommendations from trusted sources before engaging with someone's services.
- Create a personal contingency plan that outlines steps to take in case ...
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The murder of Julia Thomas and the investigation that followed
The murder of Julia Thomas by her maid Kate Webster has garnered much attention due to the gruesomeness of the crime and the dramatic investigation that ensued.
Kate Webster was hired as a domestic worker by Julia Thomas in 1879, but their relationship quickly soured
Kate Webster started employment with Julia in late January 1879. Julia Thomas had hopes of reforming Kate, who had a history of troubles. Initially, Julia lowered her work expectations, but Kate became lazy and aggressive. Just one month after hiring her, Julia, feeling threatened by "the dark, morose, savage-eyed Kate," gave her notice and even sought company from church members due to fears of Kate's revenge. Despite the dismissal notice, Julia allowed Kate a few days to arrange for new accommodations.
After an argument, Kate violently pushed Julia down the stairs, killing her, and then dismembered and disposed of the body
On the day of the murder, an intoxicated Kate returned home late, angering Julia, who demanded that Kate leave immediately. This escalated into a physical confrontation where Kate pushed Julia down the stairs, and then to keep her from screaming, aggressively choked her and threw her on the floor.
Ash Kelley and Alaina Urquhart discuss how Kate overpowered Julia due to age and size differences. Kate then dismembered Julia's body, boiled it, and disposed of the parts. Failing to fit all of Julia's remains in a box, she buried the head in a nearby lot, threw a foot into a trash heap, and dumped the torso, weighted with stones, into the Thames.
Kate attempted to cover up the murder by selling Julia's belongings and impersonating her, but the discovery of Julia's remains led to a police investigation
After the murder, Kate lived in Julia's house, dressed in her clothes, and pretended to be her. She planned to sell Julia's furniture and valuables, involving a salesman named John Church in the scheme. She maintained Julia's facade by ordering items on her account.
Neighbors, growing suspicious of the strange behavior, notified the police. Crucial to the investigation was a local boy's report that matched Kate's description. Investigators found a blood-stained house and evidence of a violent murder, including the fat-covered copper pot where Julia's body had been boiled.
Kate tried to blame John Church and a man named Henry Porter, stating they were complicit and involved in the disposal of the body, using Church’s unfamiliarity as leve ...
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The murder of Julia Thomas and the investigation that followed
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Actionables
- You can enhance your personal safety by taking a basic self-defense class, which will prepare you to handle situations where you might feel threatened. Learning self-defense techniques can give you the confidence to protect yourself in scenarios similar to the one described, where there was a physical confrontation. For example, a local gym or community center might offer classes that teach how to leverage your body's strengths regardless of size differences.
- Improve your conflict resolution skills by practicing active listening and non-confrontational communication in your daily interactions. This can help prevent escalation during arguments, much like the one that led to a tragic outcome in the story. You might role-play with a friend or family member, taking turns to express concerns and respond with empathy, ensuring that both parties feel heard and respected.
- Develop a habit of documenting and reporting suspicious behavior by kee ...
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The trial and conviction of Kate Webster for the murder
Kate Webster faced a sensational trial at the Old Bailey in 1879 for the heinous crime of murder. Despite her plea of innocence, the weight of evidence against her led to a grave outcome.
Kate was put on trial at the Old Bailey in 1879 and pleaded not guilty, despite the overwhelming evidence against her
Kate's trial, which took place on July 2nd, 1879, was a public spectacle, drawing crowds inside and outside the courthouse. She entered a plea of not guilty, claiming that others had committed the murder. Kate's lawyer, Werner Sleigh, emphasized the circumstantial nature of the evidence and suggested no conclusive evidence linked the remains to the victim, Julia Thomas. Kate’s defense aimed to place doubt on her capability to commit such a crime, citing her identity as a young mother.
The prosecution's narrative and jury's decision
Contrary to the defense's argument, the prosecution painted a different picture, emphasizing Kate's prior criminal history and presenting witness testimony that tied her to the crime. A young girl tied Kate to Thomas by identifying a box related to the case. The culmination of testimonies and evidence against Kate led the jury to find her guilty after a seven-day trial. Nearing her sentence, Kate maintained her innocence but regretted implicating others during her defense.
Even aft ...
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The trial and conviction of Kate Webster for the murder
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Clarifications
- The Old Bailey is a historic criminal court in London, England, known for hearing major criminal cases from Greater London and sometimes from other parts of England and Wales. It has a long history dating back to the sixteenth century and is a significant legal institution in the UK. The court's name comes from the street where it is located, which was part of the ancient wall around the City of London. The Old Bailey is a notable landmark with a Grade II* listed building status.
- Circumstantial evidence relies on inferences to connect it to a conclusion of fact, unlike direct evidence which directly proves an assertion. It allows for more than one explanation and requires multiple pieces to corroborate each other. The trier of fact uses circumstantial evidence to infer the existence of a fact, supporting the truth of an assertion in criminal law. Reasonable doubt is tied to circumstantial evidence as it relies on inference and may not always be enough to convict someone fairly.
- David Attenborough's garden is not directly related to the historical context of Kate Webster's trial and the discovery of Julia Martha Thomas's missing head. It seems to be a fictional or ...
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