Burke and Hare Scotland’s Most Infamous Body Snatchers
In Victorian times: Bodies were needed for medical research Hanged criminals’ bodies were donated to medical schools Not enough Body snatching was invented!
In Edinburgh… Body snatching was rife Grave yards had large walls, railings and towers to protect the dead. Some graves even had their own rails
Burke and Hare Irish Moved to Edinburgh to work as labourers on New Union Canal Lodged with Maggie Laird and Nell Macdougal – women of low virtue! Lived in sleazy area: West Port Rear of lodgings
By day…
By night…
So Profitable… They began to murder people to sell their bodies.
The Old Town - Edinburgh Waited in The White Hart Inn Watched for possible victims Lured them to their death Strangled victims so as not to damage their bodies – medical research.
Dr. Knox Bought the bodies Used them in his medical school Asked no questions!
Last Victim Mrs. Docherty From Ireland, new to Edinburgh Burke invited her to stay at his lodgings Paid off two other lodgers, Mr. and Mrs. Gray But they were suspicious and returned…
Disappeared Mrs. Docherty had gone! Burke said he’d thrown her out for rudeness! They found her body under the straw mattress.
Mrs. Docherty had been strangled!
Caught! Burke tried to bribe Mr. and Mrs. Gray, but they went to the police.
How many??? Burke and Hare killed between 13 and 30 people. ONLY BURKE WAS PROSECUTED. He was only found guilty of one murder: Mrs. Docherty’s
The execution of William Burke on The Lawnmarket 28th January 1829
His skeleton is still on display at the University Medical School! Burke’s body was donated to a medical school! His skeleton is still on display at the University Medical School! William Burke's Skeleton
A Pocket Book …was made of his skin and is still on display in the Police Museum, The Royal Mile, Edinburgh