John Owen

Mass murderer

7known / alleged victims

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Case Facts

Gender: male
Country: United Kingdom
Location: Denham, Buckinghamshire, England, United Kingdom
Date of birth: 1832
Age at first offence: 38
Characteristics: revenge
Victim profile: Emmanuel Marshall and six members of his family
Method of murder: Hitting with a hammer
Date(s) of murder: May 22, 1870
Years active: 1870
Date of arrest: —
Status: Executed
Executed by hanging on the 8th August 1870 in Aylesbury

Case Summary

Case record: John Owen

Background

John Owen, otherwise known as John Jones, was a Wolverhampton-born drifter. He was thirty eight years old. He was convicted of mass murder after claiming Emmanuel Marshall and six members of his family at Denham village, Middlesex, as his victims.

Emmanuel Marshall was the village blacksmith. Marshall had previously employed Owen as a casual worker.

The offence

On 22 May, Marshall gained entry into the house and systematically beat to death each member of the family.

After the killings, Owen stole Marshall’s best suit. Owen then smashed up a portrait of the man. Owen crept out into the night.

Investigation and arrest

Owen was seen leaving the house and was soon arrested.

Sentencing

After being sentenced to death, Owen asked to spend the last two nights of his life in the coffin which he was to be buried in.

Execution

On the morning of his execution, Owen threatened to punch Calcraft in the mouth for not having the courtesy of visiting him in the cell on the previous day.

Owen was hanged by William Calcraft on the 8th August 1870 in Aylesbury.

Motive and other details

The motive for the murders was a grudge Owen bore against the blacksmith. Owen believed that he was being paid an unfair wage.

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