In this chilling episode of UK Crime Podcast, we delve into the harrowing tale of Jonathan Balls, the man infamously known as the "Happisburgh Poisoner." Operating in the quiet village of Happisburgh, Norfolk, during the early 19th century, Balls is suspected of fatally poisoning at least 22 individuals—most of them his own family members—between 1824 and 1845. His weapon of choice: arsenic.

Despite the mounting number of suspicious deaths, Balls evaded justice during his lifetime. It wasn't until after his own death in 1846, under mysterious circumstances, that the true extent of his alleged crimes came to light. Exhumations and subsequent investigations revealed alarming levels of arsenic in the bodies of several victims, painting a grim picture of a man who may have been one of Britain's most prolific serial killers.

Adding a layer of macabre folklore to the case, local legend suggests that Balls was buried at a crossroads with a stake through his heart—a burial reserved for those believed to be vampires—to prevent him from rising from the grave.

Join us as we explore:

The life and background of Jonathan Balls

The timeline and methods of the suspected poisonings

The societal and legal context of 19th-century England that allowed such crimes to go unnoticed

The aftermath and enduring legends surrounding the case

🔗 Tune in now to uncover the dark secrets of the Happisburgh Poisoner.

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