101. The Black Widows of Liverpool
In a suspenseful episode of "Who Did What Now," hosts Advertisement and Katie Charlwood delve into the chilling story of Thomas Higgins' untimely demise, unmasking the dark deeds of Margaret Higgins and her sister Catherine Flanagan. The seemingly unfortunate death takes a shocking turn when Thomas's brother Patrick grows skeptical of the unusual life insurance policies held by Margaret, his brother's widow. What begins as a grieving family's tragedy soon becomes a riveting tale of deception, greed, and murder, as the investigation into the insurance policies unfolds, revealing a calculated plot to poison for profit.
As the episode unfolds, listeners are drawn into the grim world of 19th-century Liverpool where Catherine and Margaret, known infamously as the "Black Widows of Liverpool," prey on the vulnerable. Our hosts unravel the meticulous strategy the sisters employed, exploiting burial societies for financial gain. But their criminal endeavor does not go unnoticed; arsenic, the grim reaper's assistant, becomes their damning evidence. With detailed accounts of the sisters' capture, trial, and ultimate fate, this chapter of "Who Did What Now" presents an enthralling look into one of history's notorious insurance fraud schemes and its harrowing conclusion.
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The mysterious death of Thomas Higgins and discovery that he had been poisoned with arsenic
Thomas Higgins' sudden death unraveled a sinister plot when his brother Patrick became suspicious of the life insurance policies held by his widow, Margaret Higgins. Investigations revealed that Margaret contrived to take out multiple life insurance policies on Thomas, which was against the norms, as individuals were expected to hold only one policy with a burial society. The combined value of these policies was substantial, equivalent to around 15,000 pounds today. This led the police to probe deeper into other policies held under similar conditions for Catherine Flanagan's sons, Thomas's first wife, and Patrick Jennings' daughter. During Thomas Higgins' funeral, an autopsy detected arsenic, confirming poisoning as his cause of death. Margaret was arrested at the funeral, and police found arsenic powder in her dress pocket. Catherine, Margaret's sister, managed to evade immediate capture but was later apprehended.
Key Topic 2: Catherine Flanagan and Margaret Higgins' past involvement in insurance fraud
Catherine Flanagan and Margaret Higgins, both Irish immigrants living in impoverished conditions in Liverpool, became central figures in a historical insurance fraud scheme marked by suspicious deaths. Operating a rooming house in Liverpool's impoverished district, they exploited burial societies’ practice of paying for a decent funeral. Having managed to set up multiple policies on various individuals, their subsequent deaths due to arsenic poisoning raised suspicions that led to a police investigation. Each victim, upon examination, was found to have significant traces of arsenic in their bodies which implicated Catherine and Margaret in orchestrating and benefitting from these deaths financially.
The capture, trial, conviction, and execution of the Black Widows of Liverpool
Following the discovery of arsenic poisoning in several victims, Catherine Flanagan evaded arrest for 10 days by frequently changing her hideouts across Liverpool. She was arrested while intoxicated in a bar after missing her train out of the city. A handbill with her description was instrumental in her arrest. The forensic evidence confirmed arsenic poisoning in multiple victims, establishing the hand of Catherine and Margaret in the nefarious acts. The sisters were convicted of Thomas Higgins' murder, facing the death penalty and consequently not tried for other possible murders. Despite turning on each other in an attempt to avoid the death sentence, both women were found guilty. Catherine Flanagan and Margaret Higgins were executed by hanging on March 3, 1884, after their trial at St. George's Hall.
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- Burial societies were organizations that provided financial assistance for funeral expenses. Members paid dues to the society, and in return, the society would cover the costs of a decent burial when a member passed away. It was common for individuals to hold only one policy with a burial society, but in this case, multiple policies were taken out on the same person, which raised suspicions. The combined value of these policies was significant, leading to further investigation into potential foul play.
- Liverpool in the 19th century was a bustling port city in England, known for its significant role in the transatlantic slave trade and industrial revolution. The city experienced rapid growth and urbanization, attracting a diverse population, including Irish immigrants seeking work and better living conditions. Poverty and overcrowding were prevalent in certain areas, leading to social issues and criminal activities. The city's economy thrived on trade, shipping, and manufacturing, shaping its social dynamics and contributing to the rise of criminal activities like fraud and murder.
- Arsenic poisoning was significant in the story as it was the method used to murder the victims, including Thomas Higgins. The presence of arsenic in the victims' bodies led to suspicions of foul play and triggered a police investigation. The detection of arsenic confirmed that the deaths were not natural, but rather deliberate acts of poisoning. Catherine Flanagan and Margaret Higgins were implicated in the murders due to the presence of arsenic in the victims' bodies.
- Legal procedures and trials in the 19th century were often less formal compared to modern court proceedings. Trials were typically shorter and less structured, with limited legal representation for defendants. The burden of proof was on the prosecution, and evidence collection and forensic techniques were not as advanced as they are today. Sentences were often harsher, with capital punishment being a common penalty for serious crimes.
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The mysterious death of Thomas Higgins and discovery that he had been poisoned with arsenic
The sudden death of Thomas Higgins led to a shocking revelation and arrest, entwining his widow and sister-in-law in a suspected fraudulent scheme.
The suspicion of Thomas's brother and the investigation into the life insurance policies
After Thomas Higgins's seemingly healthy demise, his brother Patrick grew suspicious. His inquiries revealed that Margaret Higgins, Thomas's widow, stood to receive a substantial amount from burial societies. Charlwood explains that individuals weren't supposed to have multiple policies with different burial societies; however, Margaret had contrived to take out five separate policies for Thomas, cumulatively amounting to about 15,000 pounds in modern value.
Charlwood highlights the commonplace strategy of applying to several societies at the time, noting the requirement of brokers and insurance agents' agreement, in addition to a doctor's confirmation of natural death causes for policy payout. Despite these rules, policies were approved, such as in the case after Catherine Flanagan's son's death, where a doctor diagnosed bronchitis as the cause, allowing collection from the burial policy.
The police delved into the insurance policies upon discovering that Catherine's sons, Thomas's first wife, and Patrick Jennings' daughter all had policies under similar circumstances.
The life insurance policies that Margaret Higgins, Thomas's widow, had taken out
Catherine's efforts to collect on Thomas's policy led to an investigation by the police and an undercover examination of the insurance policies held by relatives.
The discovery of arsenic poisoning during the autopsy ...
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The mysterious death of Thomas Higgins and discovery that he had been poisoned with arsenic
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- Burial societies were organizations that provided financial assistance for funeral expenses. Life insurance policies were separate contracts that paid out a sum of money upon the insured person's death. In this case, Margaret Higgins took out multiple life insurance policies with burial societies, which raised suspicions due to the significant payout she stood to receive. The connection lies in how Margaret strategically utilized these policies to potentially profit from Thomas Higgins's death.
- The discovery of arsenic in Thomas Higgins's body during the autopsy was significant because arsenic is a highly toxic substance that can cause death. Finding arsenic in his body indicated foul play and raised suspicions of murder or intentional poisoning. This discovery prompted immediate police intervention and led to the arrest of individuals suspected of being involved in his death. The presence of arsenic shifted the investigation towards uncovering a potential criminal scheme involving life insurance policies and fraudulent ...
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Key Topic 2: Catherine Flanagan and Margaret Higgins' past involvement in insurance fraud
Catherine Flanagan and Margaret Higgins were central figures in a historical case of insurance fraud, which also involved suspicious deaths related to their acquisition of life insurance money.
Subtopic 1: Catherine and Margaret's backgrounds as Irish immigrants living in poverty in Liverpool
Catherine and Margaret were Irish immigrants who settled in Liverpool, likely as a result of the Great Famine that began in 1845. From at least the 1860s, they eked out a living in Liverpool, where Catherine managed a beer house and later worked as a licensed broker, despite her illiteracy. Margaret, who was also illiterate, was associated with these endeavors as well.
Subtopic 2: The suspicious past deaths of family members and boarders for which Catherine and Margaret had collected life insurance money
By 1880, Catherine and Margaret operated a rooming house in an impoverished district near Scotland Road in Liverpool. The area was notorious for high mortality rates, exacerbated by pervasive illness and industrial accidents. Many Irish immigrants, living in squalid conditions, contributed to these statistics.
Christian burial practices were culturally signific ...
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Key Topic 2: Catherine Flanagan and Margaret Higgins' past involvement in insurance fraud
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- Catherine Flanagan and Margaret Higgins were involved in a case of insurance fraud where they collected life insurance money from suspicious deaths of family members and boarders in their rooming house in Liverpool. The victims had traces of arsenic in their bodies, implicating Catherine and Margaret in their deaths, and it was revealed that the two women financially benefited from these policies.
- The Great Famine, also known as the Irish Potato Famine, occurred in the mid-19th century due to a potato blight that devastated Ireland's main food source. This led to widespread starvation, disease, and mass emigration, with many Irish people seeking refuge in cities like Liverpool for better opportunities. The influx of Irish immigrants to Liverpool during this time significantly impacted the city's demographics and social dynamics. The Great Famine's legacy shaped the experiences and struggles of Irish immigrants like Catherine and Margaret, influencing their journey and circumstances in Liverpool.
- Burial societies were community-based organizations that allowed members to make small contributions towards a fund that covered funeral expenses. They were particularly important for poorer families who couldn't afford burial costs upfront. These societies provided a way for individuals to ensure a dignified burial for themselves or their loved ones without facing financial hardship. In the context of the text, burial societies were a vital resource for the impoverished Irish immigrant community in Liverpool, offering a means to navigate the expenses associated with death and funerals.
- The presence of arsenic in the bodies of the life insurance policy victims suggests foul play as arsenic is a toxic substance commonly used in historical poisonings. Its detection in the victims' bodies raised ...
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Key Topic 3: The capture, trial, conviction, and execution of the Black Widows of Liverpool
The nefarious activities of Catherine Flanagan and Margaret Higgins came to a chilling conclusion with their capture, trial, conviction, and execution in the 19th century.
Catherine Flanagan's time in hiding before being arrested
After fleeing from the scene of her alleged crimes, Catherine Flanagan managed to evade arrest for approximately 10 days. She moved from one hiding place to another across Liverpool, seeking refuge with the Mackenzies, then staying at boarding houses on Lydia Ann Street and Mount Stewart Street, the latter operated by Mrs. Brooks. Catherine constantly changed her locations and used taxis to avoid detection, knowing she was wanted for a crime. Eventually, she aimed to leave Liverpool and made her way to the train station. Unfortunately for her, she was ultimately arrested while dining in a bar after she missed her train because she lingered for a meal, a delay exacerbated by her inebriated state. During the manhunt, the police circulated a detailed description of Catherine on a handbill, which played a crucial role in her eventual arrest.
The forensic evidence of arsenic poisoning in multiple victims linked to Catherine and Margaret
The suspicion of foul play was confirmed when a post-mortem on 10-year-old Mary Higgins found a significant amount of arsenic in her body. This finding was a red flag for investigators, prompting them to exhume and test other corpses, where they discovered additional cases of arsenic poisoning.
The sisters being convicted of Thomas Higgins' murder and sentenced to death
The formal charges brought against Catherine ...
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Key Topic 3: The capture, trial, conviction, and execution of the Black Widows of Liverpool
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- Catherine Flanagan was arrested in a bar after missing her train due to lingering for a meal while inebriated. She had been on the run for about 10 days, moving between hiding places in Liverpool. The police apprehended her based on a detailed description circulated on a handbill during the manhunt.
- Arsenic poisoning was significant in the case as it was the method used by Catherine Flanagan and Margaret Higgins to commit their crimes. The presence of arsenic in the victims' bodies confirmed foul play and linked the deaths to the sisters. This forensic evidence played a crucial role in establishing their guilt and connecting them to multiple murders. The discovery of arsenic in the victims' post-mortem examinations was a key factor in the investigation and subsequent conviction of the Black Widows of Liverpool.
- The trial of Catherine Flanagan and Margaret Higgins at St. George's Hall was a pivotal legal event where they were formally prosecuted for the murder of Thomas Higgins. The courtroom proceedings involved presenting evidence, witness testimonies, and legal arguments to determine the guilt of the accused sisters. The trial culminated in the siste ...
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