Edgar Edwards

Case overview

Edgar Edwards was arrested in London in 1902 for attacking a man with a lead sash-weight. During a search, business cards were found on him bearing the name of John W. Darby, a grocer of Camberwell. The police became suspicious after they tried to contact the Darby family and found that they were missing and that their shop was virtually empty. Investigators also found a blood-stained, 8lb sash-weight. A full investigation followed.

Edwards had recently rented a house in Leyton. When neighbours were questioned, they said they had noticed him digging deep trenches in the garden. Police moved in and excavated the entire garden. Their search revealed the dismembered bodies of the Darby family: John and his wife, both in their twenties, and their ten-week-old daughter.

The two adults were battered to death, and Ethel Beatrice was strangled. The Darbys were believed to have wanted to sell their shop, and they had placed an advertisement that Edwards answered. A meeting was arranged in the shop.

The offence

Edwards attended a meeting at the Darby shop. John Darby stayed downstairs while his wife, with their ten-week-old daughter in her arms, took Edwards upstairs to see the accounts. Once alone, Edwards produced the lead sash-weight and struck the wife over the back of the head with it, crushing her skull. He then strangled the little girl. He called to John Darby to come upstairs, where he gave him the same treatment.

The room was described as looking like a slaughterhouse, with blood splashed over the walls. Edwards emptied the till and, over a period of time, slowly sold off all the stock in the shop.

Edwards’s motive was described as greed. He might have gotten away with it, but he attempted a repeat performance.

Investigation

After Edwards was arrested in London in 1902, the police searched him and found business cards with the name of John W. Darby, a grocer of Camberwell. When investigators tried to contact the Darby family, they found they were missing and their shop was virtually empty.

Neighbours reported that they had noticed him digging deep trenches in the garden. Police excavated the whole garden, where they found dismembered bodies belonging to the Darby family: John and his wife, both in their twenties, and their ten-week-old daughter.

Arrest

Trial

Edwards was tried at the Old Bailey in February 1903. His defence was insanity, and it was described as having an abundant history in his family. His plea of insanity was not accepted. The court found him guilty and sentenced him to death.

Sentencing and execution

Edwards was sentenced to death and executed by hanging on March 3, 1903, at Wandsworth prison by William Billington.

His last remarks to the chaplain on the scaffold on 3rd March 1903 were recorded as:

"I've been looking forward to this lot!"