She dropped a headless torso into the Yarra River and shot her ex-husband full of holes — and these were just two of the horrific crimes alleged against Nurse Hannah Mitchell in the 1920s. The full story of “Melbourne’s Most Notorious Woman” is told for the first time in a special three-part episode.
Bertha Coughlan went missing in November 1922. She was found three months later, having been dumped in the Yarra River.
Nurse Hannah Mitchell, tried in 1923 for the murder of Bertha Coughlan.
Mugshot of Hanna Mitchell’s husband when he was arrested for running an illegal casino.
Senior Detective Frederick Piggott, known as “Melbourne’s Sherlock Holmes”, led the investigation into the murder of Bertha Coughlan.From left to right: Frank Bonfiglio, star witness for the prosecution; Margaret Milward, Mitchell’s sister, who testified against her; and Thomas Cook, Bertha’s “friend”.
Mitchell and her daughter “Queenie”, who was charged with being an accessory after the fact, leave the City Coroner’s Court in 1923.
Mitchell was represented by Percy Ridgeway, who was rumoured to be her lover and who defended numerous Melbourne underworld figures in the 1920s. The case was reported all over Australia.
Arthur Marsden was not an engraver. He was a sailmaker by the time of his marriage to Hannah (30 March 1896) and a mariner/seaman by the time he died (4 June 1902) after drowning in the Mersey. His name has been mentioned in Australian newspapers. Sydney Evening News, 9 April 1895
Water Police Court.
Arthur Marsden, 34, seaman, charged
with having used threatening language to
Gillespie Edwards, the second officer of
the ship Reinerfalloch (sic), now in port.
Prosecutor stated accused had threatened to
“rip him up with a knife.” Accused did
not deny having used the threatening
language, but pleaded that he had received
great provocation. Accused was ordered
to find sureties of £20 to keep the peace
for a period of six months, or go to gaol
for six weeks. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/108088397
fantastic podcasts, really enjoy your work, keep them coming.
BR
Matt
Actually, Hannah’s first daughter was called Elizabeth Maude Marsden. I suppose she added the name Dorothy when she arrived in Australia.
Arthur Marsden was not an engraver. He was a sailmaker by the time of his marriage to Hannah (30 March 1896) and a mariner/seaman by the time he died (4 June 1902) after drowning in the Mersey. His name has been mentioned in Australian newspapers. Sydney Evening News, 9 April 1895
Water Police Court.
Arthur Marsden, 34, seaman, charged
with having used threatening language to
Gillespie Edwards, the second officer of
the ship Reinerfalloch (sic), now in port.
Prosecutor stated accused had threatened to
“rip him up with a knife.” Accused did
not deny having used the threatening
language, but pleaded that he had received
great provocation. Accused was ordered
to find sureties of £20 to keep the peace
for a period of six months, or go to gaol
for six weeks.
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/108088397