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Explore - Murder & Mayhem

Shrivenham Rail Disaster 1936

Death and Disaster at Shrivenham Railway Station

19 September 2024

Station Road, Shrivenham

The now-closed Shrivenham Station was the scene of some of the worst railway disasters in the region's history.

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Map showing Gansdown (or Gangsdown) Hill

The Unsolved Murder of Richard Green

8 December 2023

A7074, Gansdown Hill

Richard Green was violently murdered one December night, yet his loyal horse still managed to deliver him home by morning.

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St. Peter and St. Paul's Church, Swalcliffe

Death in the Belfry: The Swalcliffe Church Tragedy

7 December 2023

St. Peter & Paul Church, B4035, Swalcliffe, Banbury

In 1885, the belfry at St. Peter & Paul Church, Swalcliffe near Banbury was the scene of one of the strangest deaths in Oxfordshire's history.

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The highwayman Dick Turpin, on horseback, sees a phantom riding next to him. Lithograph by W. Clerk, ca. 1839.

Horace Wright, Oxfordshire's least successful highwayman

18 April 2023

Near Henley-on-Thames

Highwayman-obsessed Horace Wright was described by some as 'the modern Dick Turpin', but by others as 'a candidate for an asylum'!

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Filkins village lock-up

Village Lock-up at Filkins

27 March 2023

4 Burford Rd, Filkins, Lechlade

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Map of Gallowstree Common circa 1897

Lost Gibbet at Gallowstree Common

13 March 2023

Gallowstree Common, South Oxfordshire

The name of this village in South Oxfordshire is a reminder of its history as a place where executed criminals were gibbeted.

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A map showing the junction between the Botley turnpike and Binsey Lane where Betsy was killed

Brutal murder of a match girl

9 March 2023

Botley Road/Binsey Lane, Oxford

The murder of Betsy Richards in 1871 was described by Oxford Coroner William Brunner as the worst crime he had seen in his 28 year career.

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Culham station

Infanticide at Culham Station

17 February 2023

Culham Station, Abingdon Rd, Culham

In 1873, Culham stationmaster William Bradshaw made a grisly discovery in the station toilets that saw passenger Jane Haines on trial for infanticide.

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