Janice Morgan

William Palmer was a boogeyman in Victorian England, the man who secretly poisoned those close to him for money. But this next accusation is the darkest of all, that Palmer killed his own children. This is grim as it deals with potential infant murder, so you can go ahead and skip forward about four minutes if you choose to. Okay.

William Palmer was a boogeyman in Victorian England, the man who secretly poisoned those close to him for money. But this next accusation is the darkest of all, that Palmer killed his own children. This is grim as it deals with potential infant murder, so you can go ahead and skip forward about four minutes if you choose to. Okay.

In late 1850, William Palmer welcomed his second child, a girl named Elizabeth. Unfortunately, she wasn't well, allegedly suffering from convulsions. His wife Anne worried and doted on her daughter. She was thankful to the family's housekeeper, Mrs. Bradshaw, who helped look after Elizabeth. But even with Mrs. Bradshaw's constant attention, Elizabeth's condition declined.

In late 1850, William Palmer welcomed his second child, a girl named Elizabeth. Unfortunately, she wasn't well, allegedly suffering from convulsions. His wife Anne worried and doted on her daughter. She was thankful to the family's housekeeper, Mrs. Bradshaw, who helped look after Elizabeth. But even with Mrs. Bradshaw's constant attention, Elizabeth's condition declined.

In early January 1851, baby Elizabeth passed away. Anne was crushed, and the housekeeper, Mrs. Bradshaw, was just as distraught. Outwardly, Palmer showed his grief as well, but observers would later claim that he was quietly relieved he didn't have the financial burden of a second child. Over the next three years, Ann Palmer gave birth to three more children, all of whom died in infancy.

In early January 1851, baby Elizabeth passed away. Anne was crushed, and the housekeeper, Mrs. Bradshaw, was just as distraught. Outwardly, Palmer showed his grief as well, but observers would later claim that he was quietly relieved he didn't have the financial burden of a second child. Over the next three years, Ann Palmer gave birth to three more children, all of whom died in infancy.

First, Henry, who died in January 1852, about a month after his birth. Next came Frank, who died in December 1852, just hours after being born. Last, there was John, who died in January 1854, just three days after birth. For housekeeper Mrs. Bradshaw, these four infant deaths seemed like more than just a tragedy. She suspected they were intentional.

First, Henry, who died in January 1852, about a month after his birth. Next came Frank, who died in December 1852, just hours after being born. Last, there was John, who died in January 1854, just three days after birth. For housekeeper Mrs. Bradshaw, these four infant deaths seemed like more than just a tragedy. She suspected they were intentional.

The day John, the last baby, died, Mrs. Bradshaw went to the local pub. There, she allegedly told her fellow patrons that earlier in the day, William Palmer had taken the baby into a room upstairs alone. She heard the infant crying, and then nothing. Nothing. Shortly after, Palmer emerged from the room, holding his still son in his arms.

The day John, the last baby, died, Mrs. Bradshaw went to the local pub. There, she allegedly told her fellow patrons that earlier in the day, William Palmer had taken the baby into a room upstairs alone. She heard the infant crying, and then nothing. Nothing. Shortly after, Palmer emerged from the room, holding his still son in his arms.

Mrs. Bradshaw told the pub patron she believed William poisoned baby John. But with no proof, she never went to the authorities. All she could do was quit her job. Even if Mrs. Bradshaw had taken her concerns to the police, infant mortality was incredibly high in Victorian England. Authorities wouldn't necessarily bat an eye at the four children that died in William and Anne's care.

Mrs. Bradshaw told the pub patron she believed William poisoned baby John. But with no proof, she never went to the authorities. All she could do was quit her job. Even if Mrs. Bradshaw had taken her concerns to the police, infant mortality was incredibly high in Victorian England. Authorities wouldn't necessarily bat an eye at the four children that died in William and Anne's care.

And while their deaths are suspicious, there is one alternate explanation, the RH factor. Essentially, it's a protein in the blood that can be either positive or negative. Most of the time, it doesn't matter which type you are. Unless an Rh-positive man gets an Rh-negative woman pregnant. Then there's a chance that the baby would be Rh-positive.

And while their deaths are suspicious, there is one alternate explanation, the RH factor. Essentially, it's a protein in the blood that can be either positive or negative. Most of the time, it doesn't matter which type you are. Unless an Rh-positive man gets an Rh-negative woman pregnant. Then there's a chance that the baby would be Rh-positive.

In this case, the first pregnancy between the two people is typically healthy. But during childbirth, the mother is exposed to the Rh protein in her baby's blood. This causes her to create antibodies. If she gets pregnant with an Rh-positive baby again, those antibodies can attack this second child during birth. This can lead to severe anemia and can be fatal without medical intervention.

In this case, the first pregnancy between the two people is typically healthy. But during childbirth, the mother is exposed to the Rh protein in her baby's blood. This causes her to create antibodies. If she gets pregnant with an Rh-positive baby again, those antibodies can attack this second child during birth. This can lead to severe anemia and can be fatal without medical intervention.

If Ann Palmer was Rh negative and William was Rh positive, it could explain why they only had one healthy child, followed by four who died in infancy. But of course, no one knew about Rh proteins in William Palmer's time, so it may have looked more suspicious than it was. There's just one caveat. Over the years, William Palmer had two illegitimate children.

If Ann Palmer was Rh negative and William was Rh positive, it could explain why they only had one healthy child, followed by four who died in infancy. But of course, no one knew about Rh proteins in William Palmer's time, so it may have looked more suspicious than it was. There's just one caveat. Over the years, William Palmer had two illegitimate children.

And those babies, who had two different mothers, also died in infancy. Their deaths were never investigated. Regardless of his guilt or innocence, Palmer's children's deaths would come back to haunt him. Because these tragedies weren't the last for the Palmers. In less than two years, two more members of Palmer's immediate family turned up dead.

And those babies, who had two different mothers, also died in infancy. Their deaths were never investigated. Regardless of his guilt or innocence, Palmer's children's deaths would come back to haunt him. Because these tragedies weren't the last for the Palmers. In less than two years, two more members of Palmer's immediate family turned up dead.