EPISODE 89 - London Murderers - John Christie

John Christie, born on April 8, 1899, was a notorious British serial killer active during the 1940s and early 1950s. He is infamously known for committing multiple murders in his residence at 10 Rillington Place, London.

Christie served in World War I and after the war, he had several jobs, including as a police officer. However, his life took a darker turn, leading to a series of heinous crimes. He committed his murders by strangling his victims, often after rendering them unconscious with gas or by luring them into a false sense of security. His victims included his wife, Ethel, and several women whom he offered to treat for various ailments, posing as a doctor.

One of the most tragic aspects of Christie's story is his involvement in the wrongful conviction and execution of Timothy Evans, a tenant at 10 Rillington Place. Evans was accused of murdering his wife and daughter, crimes that Christie had committed. Evans was executed in 1950, and only later was it revealed that Christie was the true culprit.

Christie's crimes came to light in 1953 when new tenants at 10 Rillington Place discovered bodies hidden in the house. He was arrested, tried, and convicted of murder. Christie was executed by hanging on July 15, 1953.

The case had significant legal and social repercussions, leading to increased scrutiny of the British legal system and contributing to the eventual abolition of the death penalty in the UK. Christie's story has been the subject of numerous books, films, and documentaries, making it one of the most chilling crime cases in British history.