Janice Morgan

This could have sent Palmer into a spiral. He went back to the horse races in earnest, looking to get lucky. With another baby on the way and his inheritance stretched, Palmer presumably needed cash. In April 1850, Palmer reached out to an acquaintance he met at the track, Leonard Bladen. Bladen agreed to give Palmer a sizable loan in the range of several hundred pounds.

This could have sent Palmer into a spiral. He went back to the horse races in earnest, looking to get lucky. With another baby on the way and his inheritance stretched, Palmer presumably needed cash. In April 1850, Palmer reached out to an acquaintance he met at the track, Leonard Bladen. Bladen agreed to give Palmer a sizable loan in the range of several hundred pounds.

A few weeks later, the pair returned to the track. Bladen had a great day. He won a large sum of money betting on a single race. Palmer? Not so great. Not only did he lose, Bladen expected repayment. From the track, Bladen wrote as much to his wife, saying he looked to collect on Palmer's debt. But first, they had to celebrate Bladen's win. They headed back to Rugeley and had a few drinks.

A few weeks later, the pair returned to the track. Bladen had a great day. He won a large sum of money betting on a single race. Palmer? Not so great. Not only did he lose, Bladen expected repayment. From the track, Bladen wrote as much to his wife, saying he looked to collect on Palmer's debt. But first, they had to celebrate Bladen's win. They headed back to Rugeley and had a few drinks.

While they were still at the pub, Bladen complained of abdominal pain. It grew so bad he doubled over in agony. Conveniently, Palmer was right there to help his friend back to his feet. Palmer even took Bladen to his own home to care for him. but things didn't improve.

While they were still at the pub, Bladen complained of abdominal pain. It grew so bad he doubled over in agony. Conveniently, Palmer was right there to help his friend back to his feet. Palmer even took Bladen to his own home to care for him. but things didn't improve.

Allegedly, no one else was in the room as Palmer attempted to treat Bladen, but sounds of excruciating pain reverberated through the house. Later that evening, William Bladen passed away. His cause of death was listed as an abscess in his pelvis that led to an infection. This was attributed to an event a few months earlier when he was hit by a cart, at least according to William Palmer.

Allegedly, no one else was in the room as Palmer attempted to treat Bladen, but sounds of excruciating pain reverberated through the house. Later that evening, William Bladen passed away. His cause of death was listed as an abscess in his pelvis that led to an infection. This was attributed to an event a few months earlier when he was hit by a cart, at least according to William Palmer.

See, authorities took the doctor at his word and no autopsy was recorded. However, after Bladen's widow collected his body, a rumor spread that she noticed there was no cash on him and his betting ledger was missing. She never laid eyes on her husband's final winnings or the money he lent to William Palmer. But just like William's mother-in-law's death, this looks more suspicious in retrospect.

See, authorities took the doctor at his word and no autopsy was recorded. However, after Bladen's widow collected his body, a rumor spread that she noticed there was no cash on him and his betting ledger was missing. She never laid eyes on her husband's final winnings or the money he lent to William Palmer. But just like William's mother-in-law's death, this looks more suspicious in retrospect.

At the time, Leonard Bladen's death didn't warrant investigation. It would be almost five years and many, many more deaths before anyone caught on to William Palmer. That's next week. Thanks for tuning in to Serial Killers. We're here with a new episode every Monday. Be sure to check us out on Instagram at Serial Killers Podcast, and we'd love to hear from you.

At the time, Leonard Bladen's death didn't warrant investigation. It would be almost five years and many, many more deaths before anyone caught on to William Palmer. That's next week. Thanks for tuning in to Serial Killers. We're here with a new episode every Monday. Be sure to check us out on Instagram at Serial Killers Podcast, and we'd love to hear from you.

So if you're tuning in on the Spotify app, swipe up and give us your thoughts.

So if you're tuning in on the Spotify app, swipe up and give us your thoughts.

For more information on William Palmer, we found the contemporary publication The Most Extraordinary Trial of William Palmer for the Rugeley Poisonings, which lasted 12 days, the book The Poisoner, a gripping account of the murders committed by Dr. William Palmer, the Prince of Poisoners, and his dramatic trial by Stephen Bates, and the book Staffordshire Murders by Alan Hayhurst, extremely helpful to our research.

For more information on William Palmer, we found the contemporary publication The Most Extraordinary Trial of William Palmer for the Rugeley Poisonings, which lasted 12 days, the book The Poisoner, a gripping account of the murders committed by Dr. William Palmer, the Prince of Poisoners, and his dramatic trial by Stephen Bates, and the book Staffordshire Murders by Alan Hayhurst, extremely helpful to our research.

Stay safe out there. This episode was written by Robert Tyler Walker, edited by Maggie Admire, fact-checked by Bennett Logan, researched by Chelsea Wood, and video edited and sound designed by Spencer Howard. I'm your host, Janice Morgan.

Stay safe out there. This episode was written by Robert Tyler Walker, edited by Maggie Admire, fact-checked by Bennett Logan, researched by Chelsea Wood, and video edited and sound designed by Spencer Howard. I'm your host, Janice Morgan.

This episode includes discussions of violence and murder. Consider this when deciding how and when you'll listen. In 2011, investigative reporter Lisa Olson receives a handwritten letter in the mail. There, at the top of the page, is her name, scribbled out in mostly capital letters. But it's not from an old friend or a member of her family.

This episode includes discussions of violence and murder. Consider this when deciding how and when you'll listen. In 2011, investigative reporter Lisa Olson receives a handwritten letter in the mail. There, at the top of the page, is her name, scribbled out in mostly capital letters. But it's not from an old friend or a member of her family.