The Blood-Covered Publican: David Owen’s Rampage in 1818 London
News of the Times Episode 497 | 1818
Step back in time to the year 1818, in the quiet suburb of Edmonton, North London—where a shocking and violent event gripped the local community.
David Owen, a 50-year-old widower and well-known publican, was regarded as a mild and peaceful man. But one day, in a fit of apparent madness, he arrives at his sister’s home armed with several knives—and attempts to kill her, her husband, and their maid.
As chaos erupts inside the house, it takes a team of policemen and a crowd of neighbours—wielding crowbars—to force their way in and confront Owen, who stands blood-soaked and frenzied, like a man possessed.
What could have caused such a horrifying transformation in a man once thought so unassuming? And what buried seed from his past may have led to this moment of horror?

📌 In our “Further Particulars” segment at the end of the episode, we explore a bizarre court case from 1888: What is the cost of a wife? At that time, the going rate was roughly £330 in today’s money. But what happens when the first husband—who sold his wife—tries to renegotiate the price?
Hosted by Robin Coles.

#NewsofTheTimes #truecrimedocumentary #truecrime #truecrimepodcast #victorian #history

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EPISODE
If you like this, here are links to some other recommended videos:
1810 - 1867: Serial Killer Children | Ep187
https://youtu.be/BWXNgZzifPU
1810 & 1833: Scandal, Murder and the Duke of Cumberland | Ep202
https://youtu.be/fMAtB5QHQ0w
1815 - 1882: History Compilation Special –Crime Stories That Made History | Ep228
https://youtu.be/m1_tkiiay20
1809-1811: The German Brinvillier - Anna Margaretha Zwanziger | EP352
https://youtu.be/BxOsIxpNCrs
1816 & 1898: Deadly Relations: Shocking In-Law Murders | EP365
https://youtu.be/RWwLJ3nLr30
1814: The Disturbing Case of Sarah Stone | EP430
https://youtu.be/RjMEECXEwro
1812: The Infamous Murderous Lomas Morrey Love Triangle | EP436
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