A skull discovered in the back garden of broadcaster Sir David Attenborough in Richmond, south-west London, has been identified as belonging to Julia Martha Thomas, a woman murdered in 1879. The coroner recorded a verdict of unlawful killing, with the cause of death being asphyxiation and a head injury.
The case, known as 'the Barnes mystery', dates back to when Thomas was killed by her maid, Kate Webster. Although Webster was convicted and executed, the victim's head had never been found until the skull was unearthed during building work last October.
At the inquest, coroner Alison Thompson stated that all evidence pointed to the remains being those of Mrs Thomas, who was in her 50s. The Metropolitan Police provided census records and radiocarbon testing to support the identification.
Ch Supt Clive Chalk praised the investigation, saying: '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.'
