Case 218
The Blackout Killers
(Part 1)
[Part 1 of 2]
At the height of World War Two in London, a serial killer roamed the streets. In just one week in February 1942, he killed four women and attempted to kill others, taking them by surprise at night during the enforced blackout periods.
The brutal murders happened in such quick succession that the detectives assigned to the case struggled to keep up with the killer. However, detectives were soon knocking at a Royal Air Force billet. Evidence pointed to a cadet named Gordon Cummins as the serial killer. But was he guilty or had a careless mistake on his part caused unwarranted suspicion?
CREDITS
EPISODE:
Research & writing – Jess Forsayeth
Creative direction – Milly Raso
Narration – Anonymous Host
MUSIC:
‘Flatline intro’ and ‘Come play with me’ intro and outro – www.dl-sounds.com
Audio production – Mike Migas
Scoring – Mike Migas
OTHER:
Logo and website design – Paulina Szymanska
RESOURCES
WEBSITES:
The Blackout Ripper – Crime and Investigation Network
ARCHIVED ARTICLES:
Modern Jack the Ripper to hang for vile crimes – Truth
Murder No. 4 – Daily Herald
Teeth identify murdered Newcastle woman – Evening Chronicle
Shelter murder: taxi traced – Evening Chronicle
Robbery was motive in shelter murder – Leicester Evening Mail
Radio muffles a West End murder – Evening Standard
London murders: two more women strangled – The Birmingham Mail
‘Ideal’ wife’s fate: husband tells of discovery – Liverpool Echo
Terror stalked the West End last night – Sunday Pictorial
Ashington crime: Police appeal to man – Sunday Sun
Triple murder charge – The Birmingham Mail
Gas mask led to airman’s arrest – Newcastle Journal and North Mail
Child’s evidence in murder trial – Derby Evening Telegraph
Murder trial halted – Birmingham Gazette
Air cadet to die for “ghoulish” murder – Birmingham Gazette
RAF cadet’s appeal dismissed – Daily Mail
No reprieve for air cadet – Citizen
Last moves to delay execution fail – Daily Herald
A ripper at large – Liverpool Echo
AUDIO/VIDEO:
London during the German Blitz (Officially licenced for use in this podcast from Periscope Film LLC)
Have your gas masks with you (Officially licenced for use in this podcast from British Pathe Ltd)
Battle of Britain, Royal Air Force (Officially licenced for use in this podcast from Periscope Film LLC)
Terror During The Blitz: The Blackout Ripper | Murder Maps | Real Crime
BOOKS:
The Blackout Murders: The Compelling True Story – Simon Read
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