This episode contains distressing themes and descriptions of violence.

This podcast is intended for a mature audience.

Listener caution is advised.

They Walk Among Us is part of the A-cast Creator Network.

When mutilated human remains are found scattered across Richmond in London,

a remorseless killer will go to extreme lengths to distance themselves from the crime.

It would take over a century for the final piece of the puzzle to be found.

Welcome to They Walk Among Us, a podcast dedicated to UK True Crime.

This is the 32nd in a series of bonus episodes.

On Wednesday, March 5, 1879, just as the sun rose, two coal merchants were making their way along the banks of the River Thames.

As the cart approached Barnes Bridge, one of the men Henry Wheatley noticed something bobbing in the murky water.

Henry told his colleague to stop the cart so he could have a look at the object. He walked towards

the water's edge. Henry could see that it was a hinged wooden box.

He pulled it on to the riverbank and found the lid was closed tightly and secured with court.

Henry pulled a knife from his pocket and severed the court, but the heavy box remained sealed.

Determined to know what was inside, he swung his foot, and the force of his boot splintered

the box apart. Henry stumbled backwards as pieces of what appeared to be flesh

wrapped in brown paper spilled out from the fractured package.

He believed the contents were human remains

and reported what he had found to the barn's constabulary.

Inspectors travelled to the river with a local doctor in tow.

Dr. Adams concurred that the remains were human,

...