This is the chilling true story of John George Haigh, Britain's infamous Acid Bath Killer who murdered at least six people in 1940s London based on a deadly misunderstanding of the law. This true crime podcast episode explores how a fraudster turned serial killer dissolved his victims in sulfuric acid, believing the legal principle "corpus delicti" meant no body equals no murder conviction.

Learn about Haigh's oppressive Plymouth Brethren upbringing in Stamford, Lincolnshire, his career as a con artist and forger, and how prison time led him to discover French killer Georges-Alexandre Sarret's acid disposal method. Follow the investigation into the disappearance of wealthy widow Olivia Durand-Deacon from the Onslow Court Hotel in South Kensington, and how forensic pathologist Dr. Keith Simpson found crucial evidence—including gallstones and false teeth—in the sludge at Haigh's Crawley workshop.

Explore the murders of the McSwan family (William, Donald, and Amy McSwan), Archibald and Rose Henderson, and the shocking confession that led to Haigh's conviction at Wandsworth Prison in 1949. This episode examines criminal psychology, forensic science breakthroughs, British legal history, and one man's arrogant belief that he'd discovered the perfect crime.

Keywords: John George Haigh, Acid Bath Murderer, British serial killers, 1940s true crime, forensic pathology, sulfuric acid murders, corpus delicti, Olivia Durand-Deacon, McSwan family murders, Crawley murders, Wandsworth Prison execution, Dr. Keith Simpson, true crime podcast, murder investigation, criminal history UK