Janice Morgan

And while this may sound like a small amount, it was more than half the average UK salary at that time, annually. However, this flashy lifestyle made him an attractive suitor. Within a few months, Palmer caught the eye of 19-year-old Anne Thornton. Anne was the illegitimate daughter of a former British colonel.

And while this may sound like a small amount, it was more than half the average UK salary at that time, annually. However, this flashy lifestyle made him an attractive suitor. Within a few months, Palmer caught the eye of 19-year-old Anne Thornton. Anne was the illegitimate daughter of a former British colonel.

The colonel had died several years before, leaving both Anne and her mother with what Palmer believed were substantial inheritances. This immediately drew Palmer's attention, and it didn't take him long to propose. In 1847, the pair married. The couple seemed happy as Anne moved into Palmer's home, excited to start the next chapter of their lives.

The colonel had died several years before, leaving both Anne and her mother with what Palmer believed were substantial inheritances. This immediately drew Palmer's attention, and it didn't take him long to propose. In 1847, the pair married. The couple seemed happy as Anne moved into Palmer's home, excited to start the next chapter of their lives.

Sometime around 1849, Anne's mother, Mrs. Thornton, came to stay at the Palmer residence, but her stay did not go as planned. Anne's mother fell seriously ill. conveniently, Dr. Palmer was there to look after his new mother-in-law. He disappeared into her room for hours each day to perform comprehensive checkups. Each time he emerged, Anne saw the look of disappointment on his face.

Sometime around 1849, Anne's mother, Mrs. Thornton, came to stay at the Palmer residence, but her stay did not go as planned. Anne's mother fell seriously ill. conveniently, Dr. Palmer was there to look after his new mother-in-law. He disappeared into her room for hours each day to perform comprehensive checkups. Each time he emerged, Anne saw the look of disappointment on his face.

Palmer told her things weren't looking good. Only a few weeks after her arrival, Mrs. Thornton died. The circumstances of her death were said to be oddly similar to John Cook's. The afternoon that William Palmer's mother-in-law died, another doctor came to the house. He collected the body to determine Mrs. Thornton's cause of death.

Palmer told her things weren't looking good. Only a few weeks after her arrival, Mrs. Thornton died. The circumstances of her death were said to be oddly similar to John Cook's. The afternoon that William Palmer's mother-in-law died, another doctor came to the house. He collected the body to determine Mrs. Thornton's cause of death.

Allegedly, after the examination, they concluded Mrs. Thornton died of apoplexy. You might recall that this was the initial cause of death listed for Palmer's known victim, John Cook. And to be fair, strychnine poisoning has some similar symptoms to a stroke.

Allegedly, after the examination, they concluded Mrs. Thornton died of apoplexy. You might recall that this was the initial cause of death listed for Palmer's known victim, John Cook. And to be fair, strychnine poisoning has some similar symptoms to a stroke.

But note that Mrs. Thornton's health didn't decline until she visited the Palmers, and that William Palmer believed she'd leave his wife Anne a big inheritance. At the time, people didn't have reason to believe Palmer had a hand in his mother-in-law's death. But most of the residents of Rugeley didn't know about William Palmer's emerging financial problems.

But note that Mrs. Thornton's health didn't decline until she visited the Palmers, and that William Palmer believed she'd leave his wife Anne a big inheritance. At the time, people didn't have reason to believe Palmer had a hand in his mother-in-law's death. But most of the residents of Rugeley didn't know about William Palmer's emerging financial problems.

He simply didn't have the income to support his lifestyle, unless he got another inheritance. Except there was no inheritance to be had. For some reason, Ann Palmer did not inherit her mother's estate, On top of that, Ann was pregnant. Perhaps out of stress or thinking he'd win big this time, Palmer started spending even more time at the horse races.

He simply didn't have the income to support his lifestyle, unless he got another inheritance. Except there was no inheritance to be had. For some reason, Ann Palmer did not inherit her mother's estate, On top of that, Ann was pregnant. Perhaps out of stress or thinking he'd win big this time, Palmer started spending even more time at the horse races.

He was drawn to the sound of thundering hooves and the allure of quick cash. He studied the horses, the jockeys, and the trainers, anything that could give him an advantage while placing bets. His addiction was only growing. At some point, Palmer purchased his own racehorses. If you were ever a kid who asked your parents for a pony, you probably heard one thing. Horses are expensive, and they are.

He was drawn to the sound of thundering hooves and the allure of quick cash. He studied the horses, the jockeys, and the trainers, anything that could give him an advantage while placing bets. His addiction was only growing. At some point, Palmer purchased his own racehorses. If you were ever a kid who asked your parents for a pony, you probably heard one thing. Horses are expensive, and they are.

Unlike most parents, Palmer spent the money, and spent and spent. Now, a prize racehorse can earn money through winnings and stud fees, but not all horses are winners. So Palmer may have had a contingency for this. Some say he used strychnine to poison his own horses, not to kill them, but to make them sick enough to ensure they lost.

Unlike most parents, Palmer spent the money, and spent and spent. Now, a prize racehorse can earn money through winnings and stud fees, but not all horses are winners. So Palmer may have had a contingency for this. Some say he used strychnine to poison his own horses, not to kill them, but to make them sick enough to ensure they lost.

This would have allowed Palmer to win cash by betting against his own horses. But most often, regardless of his strategy, he'd leave the tracks with far less money in his pockets. Months ticked by as Palmer tried to quiet his financial stress. Then, in 1850, Anne gave birth to their first child, William Jr. Only a few months later, Anne got pregnant again.

This would have allowed Palmer to win cash by betting against his own horses. But most often, regardless of his strategy, he'd leave the tracks with far less money in his pockets. Months ticked by as Palmer tried to quiet his financial stress. Then, in 1850, Anne gave birth to their first child, William Jr. Only a few months later, Anne got pregnant again.