The Baffling Case of Margaret Ball

The Baffling Case of Margaret Ball
News of the Times | Episode 527 | 1874
A woman found hanged.
A confession shouted in the street.
And a trial that left more questions than answers...

In this curious case from Victorian Hackney Wick, Margaret Ball — a strong, pregnant mother of two — is discovered hanging from the stair bannisters. Her young lodger, George Coulson, confesses immediately... yet something doesn't add up.

Was it murder?
A tragic suicide?
Or something far stranger?

Drawing from period newspapers and court records, we explore a deeply unsettling case that baffled Victorian investigators and still stirs debate today.

👤 Narrated by Robin Coles

📅 New episodes: Monday, Wednesday & Friday

📚 Related cases from the archive:
1874 - 1878: Infamous Murders in Wales | Ep182
https://youtu.be/s90YzyxOtvg
1874: Family Killings in Ripon | Ep210
https://youtu.be/pl8viuZayD4
1874: FRANCE Murderous Mother Daughter Love Triangle | EP377
https://youtu.be/22HllMIaXH4
1874: The Case of the Vengeful Grandmother | EP489
https://youtu.be/DTRHrVKn1SE

❤️ Support Independent History
If you enjoy our ad-free, archive-based storytelling, help us keep the lantern lit:

👉 **Patreon** – Full archive, early access, bonus compilations (and it keeps us independent):
https://www.patreon.com/NewsOfTheTimesHistoricalCrime

☕ Prefer a one-off thank-you? We tip our top hats:
https://ko-fi.com/robinandco

📖 New! *Slightly Unreliable Memoirs* (Vol 1 & 2)
Humorous 24-page PDF curiosities in the tradition of Wodehouse and Saki — available here:
https://ko-fi.com/s/b406f6f11e

🕯️ News of the Times
Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian crime. Archival sources. No gimmicks.

🕯 About the Channel
We’re an independent team of historical researchers and narrators specialising in 18th to early 20th century British true crime. Each episode is based entirely on archival material — from coroners’ inquests to forgotten newspaper columns.

If you like your true crime thoughtful, atmospheric, and rooted in real records — welcome to the vault.

🎩 — RC & Team

Hear about our ad-free archive on Patreon – 650+ episodes and counting! 🎩 https://www.patreon.com/c/NewsoftheTimesHistoricalCrime

Fancy a chuckle between corpses? Discover our first lovingly illustrated volume of wildly unreliable memoirs.

Grab it here: https://ko-fi.com/s/b406f6f11e

Support us on Patreon for ad-free early access and exclusive bonus episodes.

https://www.patreon.com/c/NewsoftheTimesHistoricalCrime

Support the show

Thanks for listening! You can also connect with us on
Our YouTube Channel: | https://www.youtube.com/@newsofthetimes
Our Facebook Page: | https://www.facebook.com/News-of-the-Times-101108282697405
Have a question or comment? Get in touch with us at [e-mail]
If you would like to donate, we love coffee! Warmly appreciated :-) | https://www.buymeacoffee.com/newsofthetd