The Kenilworth Advertiser. — 1879-03-29 (Kenilworth, Warwickshire, England)

SHOCKING MURDER OF A LADY.  It will be recollected that a box was a short time since found on the foreshore of the river near Barnes, containing portions of a human body. At the Coroner's inquest an open verdict was returned, and the matter has been the subject of inquiry by the police. It was at first thought the body had been put into the river by medical students after dissection, but within the last few days information has come to hand leaving little or no doubt that a shocking crime has been committed in the neighbourhood of Richmond. For some years past an elderly woman of eccentric habits, whose name is for the present kept a secret by the police, had a servant known in the neighbourhood by the name of Bate Gibbs or Gibbins, both being used. For the last few weeks the old lady was not seen out of the house, although her servant paid bills in her name, and generally transacted matters as if she were there. Some weeks since the servant sold some of the property in the house for the sum of £26, and she then left the place, taking with her some plate, and anything of value on which she could lay her hands. Boon after this inquiriee were set on foot to trace the missing woman, and a boy made a statement to the deteetife pollee that about three weeks or a month since a woman asked him to help him carry a box. He agreed to do so; and when they came to the river bridge she threw it over, gave him sixpence for his trouble, and then went hurriedly away. It was dark at the time, and no one else was near when the box was thrown over. The police showed the boy the box in which the remains were found, and he immediately identified it as the one he had assisted to carry. He likewise identified a photograph of the servant Gibbs as a likeness of the woman whom he accompanied. Further inquiries iesulted in the fact being ascertained that this woman has been seen about Hammersmith very recently, but she has hitherto avoided apprehension, and is believed to have left the neighbourhood to go to Ireland, accompanied by a boy about five years of age, stated to be her son. She is a native of that country, and a very tall, powerful woman. The human remains have been shown to Dr. Bond, the police surgeon, who states that there can be little or no doubt but that the woman to whom they belong was first murdered, and that the body was then boiled whole, so as to facilitate its being cut up for the purpose of removal. The doctor states his opinion that this boiling of the body accounts for its parchmentlike appearance, and the theory is strongly supported by the fact that the copper at the back of the deceased's house is covered with fat, and that there is evidence of recent use. Inspector Shore, of Scotland Yard, and Inspectors Dowdwell, Robson, and Lansdowne have the inquiry in hand, and one of these officers will at once proceed to Irel-nd to effect the arrest of the alleged murderess. She is described in the Police Informatians of Wednesday as "Wanted for stealing plate, dcc., and supposed murder of her mistress, Kate—, aged about 32; 5 feet 5 or 6 inches high; complexion sallow ; slightly freckled. Teeth rather good; prominent. Usually dressed in dark dress, jacket rather long, and trimmed with dark fur round pockets, light brown satin bonnet; speaks with an Irish accent, and was accompanied by a boy aged five, complexion rather dark, hair dark; was last seen at Hammersmith." Since this description was given she has been traced to a railway station, wheie she took tickets for herself and child to Liverpool. It is believed that that robbery with view of obtfiinivg the necessary funds to get back t Ireland was the motive for the crime.