In this episode of The Missing Project, host Jean Moore recounts the harrowing and historic true crime story of Dr. Hawley Harvey Crippen, whose 1910 murder of his wife Cora led to the first wireless arrest in history. This narrative explores how Crippen attempted to evade justice by fleeing London aboard the SS Montrose with his lover, Ethel Le Neve, only to be caught due to a revolutionary use of wireless telegraphy. For listeners interested in forensic science history, early 20th-century criminal investigations, and the evolution of law enforcement technology, this episode provides a deep dive into the case that changed policing forever.

The story begins in Holloway, London, where Cora Crippen vanished after a dinner party, leaving behind a web of lies told by her husband. While Inspector Walter Dew initially believed Crippen’s claim that Cora had returned to America, suspicious neighbors and forensic discoveries in the cellar basement revealed the truth: Cora had been murdered and dismembered. The episode details the tense cat-and-mouse game as Crippen and Le Neve fled across the Atlantic, hiding in plain sight. Captain Henry George Kendall of the SS Montrose recognized the fugitives and sent a pivotal radio message to Scotland Yard, marking the first time wireless technology was used to aid in a criminal capture. This technological breakthrough bridged the gap between continents, ensuring that distance could no longer protect a murderer.

Beyond the sensational aspects of the trial at the Old Bailey and Crippen’s eventual execution, this episode honors Cora Crippen as a real person—a music hall singer and wife whose life was tragically cut short. It examines the broader implications of the case on forensic science, including the use of toxicology and anatomical identification, which solidified modern investigative methods. Listeners will gain an understanding of how the Crippen case served as a turning point for both justice and technology, proving that evidence and communication can overcome even the most elaborate attempts to disappear. The narrative is woven with historical context, offering a respectful yet gripping look at a pivotal moment in true crime history.

Join Jean Moore as she unravels the mystery of Dr. Crippen’s fatal mistake and the dawn of the digital age in law enforcement. If you are fascinated by unsolved mysteries, historical true crime, or the intersection of technology and justice, this episode offers compelling insights. Please support The Missing Project by visiting our website via the link in the show notes to help us continue bringing these vital stories to light.

Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawley_Harvey_Crippen

More from The Missing Project: https://humanitymedia.org/the-missing-project

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawley_Harvey_Crippen

Transcript: https://cdn.humanitymedia.org/transcripts/the-missing-project/2026-10-22.txt