The Shocking Rayleigh Bath Chair Murder: WWII’s Most Bizarre Crime Story | Macabre London Podcast

Step back into the dark streets of wartime England with Macabre London, where we uncover the chilling tale of The Rayleigh Bath Chair Murder. In 1943, a seemingly routine walk turned deadly when Archibald Brown, a 47-year-old man reliant on his bath chair, was killed by a hidden explosive device. Who would go to such lengths to murder a disabled man during one of the UK’s most turbulent times? Was it an act of revenge, desperation, or something far more sinister?

In this episode, we’ll delve into the twisted family dynamics, wartime paranoia, and shocking court revelations that made this one of the strangest crimes in British history. Perfect for fans of true crime, historical mysteries, and strange-but-true stories, this episode will have you questioning just how well you really know your history.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/jqwGDg7jyxE

If you love exploring London's darkest tales and horror classics, hit subscribe and join us for more spine-chilling stories every week!

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**Sources:**

- Wikipedia: Rayleigh Bath Chair Murder https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rayleigh_bath_chair_murder

- Essex Police Museum: History of the Rayleigh Bath Chair Murder* (web.archive.org)

​​https://www.essex.police.uk/SysSiteAssets/media/downloads/essex/about-us/museum/research/history-notebooks/35.pdf

- The British Newspaper Archive: Essex Chronicle, March 1943

Rayleigh Bath Chair Murder, Macabre London, True crime documentary, Strange historical events, British crime history, Weird history, Crime podcast, WWII crimes UK, Unsolved mysteries, Historical true crime, Dark history podcast, Crime stories UK, True crime stories, Family murder mysteries, Wartime England, Explosive crimes, Murder mystery, Twisted family dynamics, Historic crimes, UK true crime, Strange but true, History podcast, Macabre stories, Forgotten history, WWII England, Unusual history, British mysteries, Bizarre crimes, Gruesome history, London true crime

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In this episode of Macabre London, Nikki Druce dives into the backstreets of London’s horror film history, focusing on the 1981 classic An American Werewolf in London.

Known for its groundbreaking special effects and darkly comedic twists, John Landis’s cult hit left an indelible mark on both London’s movie scene and horror cinema. Join Nikki as she explores the origins of the film, its mix of American and British influences, and the ways it pushed horror forward with practical effects and unique narrative style. Plus, find out why An American Werewolf in London holds a special place in horror history, even with its fair share of quirks and controversies.

Episode Highlights:

• The eerie yet comedic impact of Landis’s unique vision
• A look at the SFX transformation that defined werewolf horror
• Behind-the-scenes struggles and surprising trivia
• Why An American Werewolf in London changed horror cinema
• 
  

Make sure to subscribe if you love dark history and horror; new episodes drop every fortnight with the chilling tales you crave!

Support the Show

For bonus episodes and exclusive content, check out our Patreon at patreon.com/macabrelondon.

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Instagram: @macabre_london | Twitter: @macabre_london

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Be sure to check out my other podcast, Killers, Cults & Queens with Cheryl The Queen https://podfollow.com/queens

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Thank you to our executive producer patrons - Christina, Christophe, Heathers Leg, Lisa, M, Ravelle, Sally, Sam, Sarah, Terri, Teresa, Vee, Veronica

And to all of our wonderful £5 tier patrons...

Amy

Andrea

Andrew

Claire R

Claire S

Creepy Paper

David R

Denise

Elizabeth

Helen

Inge

Jo

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Shannon

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The Paranormal Princess

Vee

ZozoLAM

And thanks to all other patrons too!

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#HorrorHistory #London #AnAmericanWerewolfInLondon #HorrorPodcast

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An electrified statue, a royal nuclear bunker hidden in plain sight and a lion washing ceremony?

It must be time to once more delve into a few tall tales from the city that are often presented as fact.

Today on Macabre London, we uncover a few more supposed myths about the city and see if we can bust them.

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TODAY'S SPONSOR:

If you want to give magic mind a try, head to magicmind.com/macabrelt and use my code MACABRELT20 for up to 48% off your subscription.

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Podcast: https://podfollow.com/1180202350

Be sure to check out my other podcast, Killers, Cults & Queens with Cheryl The Queen https://podfollow.com/queens

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SUPPORT ME

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ONE OFF DONATIONS: Paypal - paypal.me/macabrelondon

KO-FI: ko-fi.com/macabrelondon

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MERCH! - https://macabrelondon-shop.fourthwall.com

PATREON - www.patreon.com/macabrelondon

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Thank you to our executive producer patrons - Christina, Christophe, Heathers Leg, Lisa, M, Ravelle, Sally, Sam, Sarah, Terri, Teresa, Vee, Veronica

And to all of our wonderful £5 tier patrons...

Amy

Andrea

Andrew

Claire R

Claire S

Creepy Paper

David R

Denise

Elizabeth

Helen

Inge

Jo

Kathryn

Kelly

Lindal

Liz

Rachel

Shannon

Talli

Tanya

The Paranormal Princess

Vee

ZozoLAM

And thanks to all other patrons too!

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SOCIAL MEDIA

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Insta: @nikkimacabrelondon

X: @macabrelondon

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Hi Ghouls,

I'm so pleased to let you know the Killers, Cults, and Queen's , is back for its long awaited Season 2!

I've managed to get an exclusive first listen ready for you all of the first 15 mins of episode one but be sure to listen in full to the first two episodes as soon as you can, they're ready and waiting for you right now on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts. Just search for Killers, Cults and Queens and we'll pop up.

It's been a joy to be back in the studio with Cheryl and to get stuck back into a whole brand new 15 episodes that are sure to keep you guessing as to what will be coming next...

Hosted by British drag icon Cheryl and resident spooky specialist and broadcaster Nikki Druce, this fascinating true-crime series deep dives into tales of notorious murders, infamous cults, and bizarre historical events – all with a unique and fresh LGBTQ+ perspective.

In the second series of the podcast, now produced by Global and tailor made for true crime fanatics, listeners can expect episodes covering chilling stories – both new and old – like Gypsy Rose Blanchard, the infamous Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, the mysteries surrounding LA’s Cecil Hotel, the grizzly Jonestown massacre, the Canadian queen of QAnon, the harrowing story of Flight 571, and so much more!

Season two kicks off on Monday 14th October with two brand-new episodes, with new episodes dropping every Monday thereafter, with the exciting addition of bonus episodes every Thursday.

Killers, Cults and Queens is available to listen to from 14th October on Global Player, or wherever you get your podcasts

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When two men appeared at a hospital after dark with a bag over their shoulder, they rang the doorbell of the dissecting room and a porter answered.

When the porter told them he wasn’t interested in buying a body, the men asked if they could store the corpse there overnight to lessen the chances of them being found wandering around the streets with a dead body.

When the porter agreed and the men left the bag on the table and scuttled off back into the night, a foot flopped out of it. Thinking it looked very fresh but not wanting to tie himself up as he was off to the theatre, he switched the lights off and left for the night.

The following day, the men would return saying they had a buyer and they would be taking the body but its next destination would be where suspicions rose and the police were called…

Today on Macabre London, we uncover the mystery of the Italian Boy and the grim London Burkers.

-------------------------

Podcast: https://podfollow.com/1180202350

Be sure to check out my other podcast, Killers, Cults & Queens with Cheryl The Queen https://podfollow.com/queens

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SUPPORT ME

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ONE OFF DONATIONS: Paypal - paypal.me/macabrelondon

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Thank you to our executive producer patrons - Christina, Christophe, Heathers Leg, Lisa, M, Ravelle, Sally, Sam, Sarah, Terri, Teresa, Vee, Veronica

And to all of our wonderful £5 tier patrons...

Amy

Andrea

Andrew

Claire R

Claire S

Creepy Paper

David R

Denise

Elizabeth

Helen

Inge

Jo

Kathryn

Kelly

Lindal

Liz

Rachel

Shannon

Talli

Tanya

The Paranormal Princess

Vee

ZozoLAM

And thanks to all other patrons too!

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SOCIAL MEDIA

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Insta: @nikkimacabrelondon

X: @macabrelondon

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SOURCES

----------------

https://www.oldbaileyonline.org/record/t18311201-17

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fortune_of_War,_Smithfield

https://www.britannica.com/topic/body-snatching

https://mymacabreroadtrip.com/a-week-in-the-life-of-a-london-body-snatcher/

https://stjohnstreet.co.uk/the-clerkenwell-italian-community-a-history/

https://www.sarahwise.co.uk/italianboy.html

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the 8th of February 1983, police were called to a top floor flat in a suburban area of London.

The man that had made the call was a plumber and the reason he’d got in contact was as he’d discovered something unusual.

When residents started complaining of the drains being backed up and a strange smell emanating from the property, the plumber came to clear the suspected blockage, however what he found under the manhole cover would reveal a dark and terrifying story, one which had been kept secret for a number of years.

With a disturbing secret uncovered, police raided the home and arrested the tennant on suspicion of murder, but what he would go on to reveal would haunt them revealing their own incompetencies right before their very eyes.

Today on Macabre London, we uncover part two of the story of the Muswell Hill murderer, Dennis Nilsen.

-------------------------

Podcast: https://podfollow.com/1180202350

Macabre London is a fortnightly podcast and YouTube show that delves into London's haunted and gruesome history alongside discovering Macabre mini Mysteries from all over the world!

Be sure to check out my other podcast, Killers, Cults & Queens with Cheryl The Queen https://podfollow.com/queens

---------------------------

SUPPORT ME

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ONE OFF DONATIONS: Paypal - paypal.me/macabrelondon

KO-FI: ko-fi.com/macabrelondon

PATREON: www.patreon.com/macabrelondon

AMAZON WISHLIST - http://amzn.eu/dJxEf1V​​​​​​

MERCH! - https://macabrelondon-shop.fourthwall.com

PATREON - www.patreon.com/macabrelondon

——————————-

Thank you to our executive producer patrons - Christina, Christophe, HeatherMillsLeg, Lisa, M, Ravelle, Sally, Sam, Sarah, Terri, Teresa, Vee, Veronica

And to all of our wonderful £5 tier patrons...

Amy

Andrea

Andrew

Claire R

Claire S

Creepy Paper

David R

Denise

Elizabeth

Helen

Inge

Jo

Kathryn

Kelly

Lindal

Liz

Rachel

Shannon

Talli

Tanya

The Paranormal Princess

Vee

ZozoLAM

And thanks to all other patrons too!

————————

SOCIAL MEDIA

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Insta: @nikkimacabrelondon

X: @macabrelondon

TikTok: @macabrelondon

Facebook: @macabrelondon

Email: macabrelondon@hotmail.com

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If you have been affected by any of the themes in this week’s episode please consider contacting the following resources:

The Samaritans helpline: 116 123

Confidential Emotional Support Line: 01708 765200

Sexual Assault Support Line: 01708 765200

Safeline national male survivor helpline: 0808 800 5005

SOURCES

----------------

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p0bgjl37/the-nilsen-files

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_Nilsen

https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/81097791

Brian Masters: Killing For Company - book https://www.amazon.co.uk/Killing-Company-Brian-Masters-ebook/dp/B004K6MEC2

https://murderpedia.org/male.N/n/nilsen-dennis-victims.htm

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0bgjl37

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the 8th of February 1983, police were called to a top floor flat in a suburban area of London.

The man that had made the call was a plumber and the reason he’d got in contact was as he’d discovered something unusual.

When residents started complaining of the drains being backed up and a strange smell emanating from the property, the plumber came to clear the suspected blockage, however what he found under the manhole cover would reveal a dark and terrifying story, one which had been kept secret for a number of years.

Today on Macabre London, we uncover the story of the Muswell Hill murderer, Dennis Nilsen.

------------------------

Today's Sponsor: Magic Mind. You can get a 3 sample pack for free, just cover the cost of shipping by going to: https://magicmind.com/MACABRELTRIAL and use the code: MACABRELTRIAL

-------------------------

Podcast: https://podfollow.com/1180202350

Macabre London is a fortnightly podcast and YouTube show that delves into London's haunted and gruesome history alongside discovering Macabre mini Mysteries from all over the world!

Be sure to check out my other podcast, Killers, Cults & Queens with Cheryl The Queen https://podfollow.com/queens

---------------------------

SUPPORT ME

————————

ONE OFF DONATIONS: Paypal - paypal.me/macabrelondon

KO-FI: ko-fi.com/macabrelondon

PATREON: www.patreon.com/macabrelondon

AMAZON WISHLIST - http://amzn.eu/dJxEf1V​​​​​​

MERCH! - https://macabrelondon-shop.fourthwall.com

PATREON - www.patreon.com/macabrelondon

——————————-

Thank you to our executive producer patrons - Christina, Christophe, Lisa, M, Ravelle, Sally, Sam, Sarah, Terri, Teresa, Vee, Veronica

And to all of our wonderful £5 tier patrons...

Amy

Andrea

Andrew

Claire R

Claire S

Creepy Paper

David R

Denise

Elizabeth

Helen

Inge

Jo

Kathryn

Kelly

Lindal

Liz

Rachel

Shannon

Talli

The Paranormal Princess

Vee

ZozoLAM

And thanks to all other patrons too!

————————

SOCIAL MEDIA

---------------------------------------------

Insta: @nikkimacabrelondon

X: @macabrelondon

TikTok: @macabrelondon

Facebook: @macabrelondon

Email: macabrelondon@hotmail.com

SOURCES

----------------

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p0bgjl37/the-nilsen-files

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Killing-Company-Brian-Masters/dp/1787466256/ref=pd_sbs_d_sccl_1_1/261-3098610-2827151?pd_rd_w=as3CL&content-id=amzn1.sym.a6779871-f1b3-4f65-8ecd-f839d6272217&pf_rd_p=a6779871-f1b3-4f65-8ecd-f839d6272217&pf_rd_r=X05J00W26RA0P764ZE9Z&pd_rd_wg=hFmjA&pd_rd_r=4eb76eed-0b31-4e32-8eed-393be92acc7f&pd_rd_i=1787466256&psc=1

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_Nilsen

https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/81097791

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London has always been a progressive and forward thinking city.

As any vibrant and changeable capital in the world will attest to, the city is only ever as interesting as its residents, and the different life experiences people bring to where they live, shaping and moulding the place into something great.

Moving with the times, London has always been at the forefront of new trends and in 1888, one man made the residents of the city far more colourful, quite literally, by opening the first ever tattoo studio, one which would go on to attract some unlikely characters and even the occasional royal.

Today on Macabre London, we uncover the life and times of Sutherland Macdonald, England's first tattoo artist.

------------------------

Podcast: https://podfollow.com/1180202350

Macabre London is a fortnightly podcast and YouTube show that delves into London's haunted and gruesome history alongside discovering Macabre mini Mysteries from all over the world!

Be sure to check out my other podcast, Killers, Cults & Queens with Cheryl The Queen https://podfollow.com/queens

---------------------------

SUPPORT ME

————————

ONE OFF DONATIONS: Paypal - paypal.me/macabrelondon

KO-FI: ko-fi.com/macabrelondon

PATREON: www.patreon.com/macabrelondon

AMAZON WISHLIST - http://amzn.eu/dJxEf1V​​​​​​

MERCH! - https://macabrelondon-shop.fourthwall.com

PATREON - www.patreon.com/macabrelondon

——————————-

Thank you to our executive producer patrons - Christina, Christophe, Lisa, M, Ravelle, Sally, Sam, Sarah, Terri, Teresa, Vee, Veronica

And to all of our wonderful £5 tier patrons...

Amy

Andrea

Andrew

Claire R

Claire S

Creepy Paper

David R

Denise

Elizabeth

Helen

Inge

Jo

Kathryn

Kelly

Lindal

Liz

Rachel

Shannon

Talli

The Paranormal Princess

Vee

Zara

ZozoLAM

And thanks to all other patrons too!

————————

SOCIAL MEDIA

---------------------------------------------

Insta: @nikkimacabrelondon

X: @macabrelondon

TikTok: @macabrelondon

Facebook: @macabrelondon

Email: macabrelondon@hotmail.com

SOURCES

----------------

Lyttelton Times - Tuesday 17 September 1912

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutherland_Macdonald

https://www.antiquestradegazette.com/print-edition/2021/july/2500/news-digest/the-life-of-prof-riley-british-tattoo-pioneer/

https://www.cloakanddaggerlondon.co.uk/the-beginnings-of-british-tattoos/

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=njp.32101064077942&seq=85&q1=%22a+tattoo+artist%22

Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser - Saturday 10 July 1915

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