The West Port murders were a criminal case that could have come straight out of a horror book. The year was 1827, and the Scottish city of Edinburgh was considered the center of anatomical research, where scientists were allowed to legally dissect corpses for the first time. According to the law, these corpses could only come from prisoners who had died in prison, suicide victims, and foundlings or orphans. The demand for corpses was so great that there was soon a shortage of legal supply. Since procuring corpses was extremely lucrative, bringing in up to £10, some people saw it as a profitable business. This included friends William Burke and William Hare. The idea came to them when a lodger in Hare’s house died unexpectedly. As they could use the money, they removed his body from the coffin before the funeral, filled it with tree bark, and sold the body to the renowned physician Dr. Robert Knox. Knox was the head of the Medical College, which Hare and Burke now regularly supplied with corpses. Knox dissected the corpses in the name of science during his two lectures, which he held daily in front of 400 spectators. Over a period of 10 months, Hare and Burke killed 16 people in Edinburgh and sold their corpses to Dr. Robert Knox, who needed them for his anatomy lectures. They lured all their victims to the Tanners Close boarding house, where William Burke lived with his wife and which was run by William Hare and his wife. After getting their victim drunk, one of the two men sat on the victim and held his mouth, eyes, and nose shut. This caused the victim to die slowly and painfully from lack of oxygen, but the corpse was flawless and showed no signs of violence. Everything went like clockwork until a stupid coincidence thwarted their plans when the body of their last victim, Margaret Docherty, was discovered under the bed by two guests. Hare and Burke tried to bribe them, but the guests did not accept the offer and instead alerted the police. The police suspected Burke and Hare of murdering Margaret Docherty. However, the problem was that the forensic scientists were unable to prove murder based on the body, which is why the Scottish prosecutor Sir William Rae offered William Hare a deal. He promised him immunity if he would testify against his friend William Burke. Hare did indeed betray his friend, confessing all the details of Docherty’s murder and the other 15 deaths. Hare’s confession led to William Burke being sentenced to death and publicly hanged on January 28, 1829, at the Lawnmarket in Edinburgh. His body was then dissected in the anatomy theater at the University of Edinburgh. His skeleton can still be seen today in the Anatomical Museum of the Edinburgh Medical School. His friend William Hare and the physician Dr. Robert Knox were never held accountable for their crimes. As is so often the case, “the hunt for a scapegoat is the easiest thing to do.”
By Isabella Mueller
Welcome to my journey through creativity and discovery! My name is Isabella Mueller, and I invite you to explore the fascinating creative universes I create through my blogs. Since 2020, I have been dedicating my passion to telling captivating stories that are mysterious, historical, and emotional. My goal is not only to entertain, but also to inspire reflection and awaken the spirit of discovery in each of us. At isabellas.blog, the suspense of crime stories is combined with exciting travel tips. Imagine wandering through the picturesque streets of a new city, uncovering dark secrets hidden in the shadows of its history. Every piece on my blog is designed to make the heart of every crime fiction fan beat faster while sparking curiosity about unknown places. Here, you are invited to experience the thrill of the unknown and the beauty of our world—a perfect combination for all adventure seekers! My second blog, akteq.com, is all about true, unsolved crime stories. Under the motto “akteQ: Cold Case Stories,” I reveal the eerie and often tragic stories behind unsolved cases. Together, we can explore the mysteries of the past and delve deep into the human psyche. What really happened? Who were the people behind these mysterious events? In this blog, I invite you to ask questions and find the answers that often remain hidden in the dark. You can find another exciting chapter in my blogging career at thecastles.org. Here, I embark on an enchanting journey through the history of castles and palaces. Pause for a moment as you discover the stories hidden within the walls of these ancient structures. “Explore the enchantment, discover the history – your journey begins at thecastles.org!” These words are more than just a slogan; they are an invitation to anyone who wants to combine history and magic. Be inspired by the impressive stories and the fascination of bygone eras! But that's not all! At kripo.org, you'll find a comprehensive online magazine for real criminal cases. Immerse yourself in the world of crime, learn about the real stories behind the headlines and the people who are involved in solving them. With criminal.energy, I take you on a journey through the gripping stories of true crimes in which villains are hunted, caught, and convicted. The search for justice and the confrontation with the unknown are at the center of it all. TrueCrime Blog 187.news takes you into the depths of crime. And for those who want to travel the world, wanderlust.plus offers the opportunity to explore the world, one adventure at a time. It's all about the love of exploration and the joy of discovering new cultures and landscapes. Finally, truecrime.ch invites you to discover the dark side of Switzerland and Europe: true crimes, true stories. Let's discover together the stories that shape the world around us. I look forward to accompanying you on this exciting journey and hope you will share many unforgettable moments with me!