The Brides in the Bath Murders
In the history of forensic pathology, the Brides in the Bath Murders was the first case to use similarities between the crimes to prove deliberation. George Joseph Smith, a bigamist and serial killer, entered into seven marriages between 1908 and 1914. He usually disappeared after selling off their possessions. He spent long periods away, claiming that he was on business selling antiques.
Two similar death were discovered of women found dead and drowned in the bathtub by their husbands, the same George Joseph Smith. It was found that he had persuaded the women to take out life insurance policies a short time before. While the investigation was ongoing, information of a third victim surfaced who had been found dead a year before.
There was a question of how grown women could have been drowned in small bathtubs with no marks of violence or struggle. Experienced female divers were hired to help the investigation. The only way the drownings could have happened were if the women were pulled under by the ankles. A sudden and unexpected rush of water into the nose and throat caused shock and loss of consciousness. George Joseph Smith was charged with the murders of Bessie Williams, Alice Smith, and Margaret Lloyd. He was hanged in Maidstone Prison in 1915.
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