Case File
2
The Prinny Lane Murder
Shortly after dawn on October 12th, 1905, the body of an unidentified woman was discovered beside a dirt track near Prinny Hill Lane.
Initial reports suggested robbery, though investigators quickly noted unusual details at the scene, including a white rose carefully placed near the victim.
Detective Sergeant Edmund Cryer would later describe the scene as “disturbingly deliberate.”
Initial reports suggested robbery, though investigators quickly noted unusual details at the scene, including a white rose carefully placed near the victim.
Detective Sergeant Edmund Cryer would later describe the scene as “disturbingly deliberate.”
4:03 AM
Local labourer Joseph Shaw discovers the body beside the lane and alerts police.
4:35 AM
Police Constable Walter Hargreaves is sent to fetch Edmund Cryer.
4:55 AM
Edmund Cryer arrives at the scene accompanied by Lancashire Constabulary.
5:47 AM
Body of the victim taken to the local mortuary.
7:40 AM
The first witness statements are collected from nearby residents.
10:07 AM
Parcel containing a white rose and a piece of paper hand delivered to Edmund Cryer.
DAY 8
William Kershaw identified as the boy who hand delivered the parcel to Haslingden Police Station.
DAY 9
William Kershaw interviewed by the police but could not give a positive description of the person who paid him to deliver the parcel.
DAY 15
The body of Mary Ashworth is discovered close to Further Side farm. Inside her mouth is a blue ribbon.
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“She Was Not the First” — The Edmund Cryer Journals
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