Even without the corpse, a murderer is uncovered

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William Bayly is convicted of murder in New Zealand despite the fact that the body of one of his alleged victims was never found. Most of the evidence against Bayly consisted of trace amounts of human hair, bone, and tissue, representing a marked advance in the field of forensics.

 

Sam and Christobel Lakey disappeared from their farm in Ruawaro, New Zealand, in October 1933, along with their rifles. Christobel's body soon turned up in a pond on the farm with terrible bruising to her face and head, and investigators then discovered fresh bloodstains in both an old buggy and a barn, leading them to believe that Sam had been shot and transported somewhere else.

 

One of the first suspects was William Bayly, who owned a farm adjacent to the Lakey's, and who was known to have argued with his neighbors frequently. Years earlier, he had been suspected of killing his cousin, but was released due to insufficient evidence. Suggesting to police that Sam Lakey had probably fled after killing his wife, Bayly soon dropped out of sight himself.

 

Meanwhile, detectives found the missing rifles buried in a swamp on Lakey's property. Following up on a report that there had been thick smoke coming from a shed on Bayly's property on the day that the Lakeys disappeared, investigators found pieces of hair and bones, ash, and shotgun lead in a large oil drum inside the shed. It appeared that Bayly had cremated Sam Lakey's body in this drum.

 

Tests of the hair and bone fragments from the drum in the shed proved that they were human in origin. Baley was convicted and hanged at Mount Eden Jail in July.

 

 

This is just a piece of history from This Day in History and reminds me to tell you, the history section is on sale. Come on out to read about your favorite time in history and explore people, places or things in history!

 

 

Farmer's Market is scheduled from 4-8pm today, come get some produce as weather permits.

 

[+shopthebookworm]

Susan here, sighing that more views for my posts are usually when a tragedy may have occurred or a dramatic subject matter is the topic.

Please weigh in on the post, do you read historical books??? Just wondering.

[mei lan]

I AM SO OFFENDED!!! I can't believe Pubby hasn't had you arrested yet!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

(It's been awhile since I tried to stir up some trouble. )

 

I do read historical books, but generally not historical novels. Although, Celia Garth is a favorite of mine from childhood. I don't like GWTW, though. A travesty, I know. My sainted mother has threatened to disown me on account of it. But it's dark (and yes, I know the times were dark, but still), and the main character is completely unlikeable.

 

FWIW, I have my background set on gray, so I can't see your post unless I highlight it.

[+shopthebookworm]

I AM SO OFFENDED!!! I can't believe Pubby hasn't had you arrested yet!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

(It's been awhile since I tried to stir up some trouble. )

 

I do read historical books, but generally not historical novels. Although, Celia Garth is a favorite of mine from childhood. I don't like GWTW, though. A travesty, I know. My sainted mother has threatened to disown me on account of it. But it's dark (and yes, I know the times were dark, but still), and the main character is completely unlikeable.

 

FWIW, I have my background set on gray, so I can't see your post unless I highlight it.

 

I think we may both be good at the trouble thing!

I do like GWTW but mostly because I love a good snitty character once in a while

[mei lan]

I do like GWTW but mostly because I love a good snitty character once in a while

 

I should clarify that I loved the writing style, and I loved most of the other characters. But I just hated Scarlett. And I don't do dark real well. I can do it some, but not a lot.

[+shopthebookworm]

I should clarify that I loved the writing style, and I loved most of the other characters. But I just hated Scarlett. And I don't do dark real well. I can do it some, but not a lot.

 

I don't see her character as dark, just a spoiled rotten little girl.

[mei lan]

I don't see her character as dark, just a spoiled rotten little girl.

 

Ditto...sorry I didn't differentiate. I meant the tone of the book was dark. Which was necessary, because God knows, it was a dark and desperate time. Which is also part of what makes the book good. I just can't read very much darkness without it adversely affecting me. (I absorb negativity like a sponge. I hate that about me. )