Attenborough’s garden skull solves murder mystery
Remains found during excavations at the natural history film-maker’s property were confirmed as those of Julia Thomas, a wealthy widow chopped up and boiled by her housekeeper in 1879.
Detectives were finally able to close the case yesterday as a coroner formally recognised the skull and delivered a verdict of unlawful killing.
Chief Superintendent Clive Chalk, of Scotland Yard, said: “This is a fascinating case and a good example of how good old-fashioned detective work, historical records and technological advances came together to solve the ‘Barnes mystery’.”
The discovery was made in October last year by workmen building an extension at Attenborough’s home in Richmond, south-west London.
Mrs Thomas, 55, who was twice widowed, died from asphyxiation and a head injury, West London Coroner Alison Thompson confirmed.
The skull was identified after officers reviewed records of the murder, along with census records and radiocarbon testing.
Planet Earth star Attenborough’s excavations took place 100 yards from where Mrs Thomas was pushed down the stairs and strangled by maid Kate Webster.
Webster used a razor to chop off the head. Having decapitated her she used a razor, a meat saw and a carving knife to cut the body up.
Mrs Thomas’ remains were boiled by her killer who gave the dripping to local children to eat.
A box containing human flesh was found in the Thames days after the killing and Mrs Thomas’ foot was found on an allotment. Webster fled to Ireland but was later tried in London and hanged after a court heard she stole her employer’s identity and false teeth.
After the skull’s discovery more than a century later, tests showed it belonged to a white female of menopausal age who was missing her teeth.
Mrs Thomas had lived in a rented cottage near Attenborough’s property when she employed Webster, who had previously been jailed for burglary, as a maid in January 1879.
In March that year Mrs Thomas was pushed down her stairs after returning home from church and fighting with Webster, records show.
