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Harriet Staunton

The Penge Mystery revolves around the tragic death of 35-year-old Harriet Staunton in 1877. Harriet was subjected to neglect and starvation by her husband, 23-year-old Lewis Staunton, his lover, Alice Rhodes (15), and his brother, Patrick Staunton, alongside Patrick's wife, Elizabeth Staunton. This case, which took place in South London and Kent, shocked Victorian society and became a notorious legal spectacle.

Harriet-Staunton.jpg

Key details:

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  • Victim: Harriet Staunton, aged 35, Thomas Staunton, aged 17 months

 

  • Perpetrators:

    • Louis Staunton (23)​

    • Alice Rhodes (15)

    • Patrick Staunton

    • Elizabeth Staunton

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  • Dates: 13 April, 1877

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  • Location: Penge, South London

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Key Facts:

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  • Born to Reverend Richardson and Mrs. Butterfield in Essex.

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  • Lost her father at age 12, after which her mother remarried.

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  • Inherited a substantial fortune of £5,000 (equivalent to around £500,000 today) from her great aunt.

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  • Described as "simple-minded" by her mother, likely due to undiagnosed learning difficulties or potential complications at birth (e.g., oxygen deprivation).

 

  • Speculated to have been on the autism spectrum or affected by mental health issues.

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  • Known to have “rages” and “queer moods,” yet enjoyed socializing and shopping.

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  • With her mother’s care, was able to navigate polite society despite her limitations.

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  • Raised in relative comfort due to her inheritance and her mother's care.

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  • A single child with a mother dedicated to protecting her from harm.

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  • Became a target for her husband, Lewis Staunton, who manipulated and abused her to gain control of her wealth.

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  • Isolated from family and society, making her easy prey for exploitation.

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  • Harriet married Louis Staunton in June 1875, against her mother’s wishes.#

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  • Shortly after the wedding, Louis banned Harriet’s mother from visiting, isolating her from her main source of support.

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  • Harriet was moved between various locations, including homes in South London and Kent, to hide her from family and acquaintances.

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  • Louis and his accomplices (his brother Patrick, Patrick’s wife Elizabeth, and Lewis’s lover Alice Rhodes) systematically isolated and abused Harriet.

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  • Harriet was confined to small, unfurnished rooms with little to no access to hygiene or adequate food.

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  • Witnesses reported that she became visibly emaciated, filthy, and lice-infested due to prolonged neglect.

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  • Harriet gave birth to her son, Thomas Henry Staunton, in March 1876.

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  • Despite being a mother, Harriet received no support, and her mental and physical state further deteriorated.

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  • Thomas was subjected to the same neglect as his mother.

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  • By early 1877, he was severely malnourished and physically abused.

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  • On April 8, 1877, he was taken to Guy’s Hospital under a false name, where he died the same day due to malnutrition and neglect.

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  • Harriet was moved to 34 Forbes Road, Penge, in an open wagonette on April 12, 1877.

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  • Witnesses at Bromley Railway Station described her as skeletal, unable to stand, and groaning in distress.

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  • She died on April 13, 1877, just one day after arriving in Penge.

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  • At the time of her death, Harriet weighed only 5 stone 4 pounds (33.5 kg).

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  • Postmortem revealed severe malnutrition, lice infestation, and long-term neglect.

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  • Her internal organs were shrunken, and her stomach lining was damaged, indicating prolonged starvation.

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  • Harriet’s death was initially recorded as due to cerebral disease or apoplexy (a sudden stroke-like event).

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  • Suspicion was raised when her brother-in-law, Lewis Casabianca, overheard Harriet’s husband, Lewis, inquiring whether Penge was in Surrey or Kent for the purposes of registering her death.

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  • Harriet’s emaciated state and the filthy conditions of her body pointed to deliberate neglect.

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  • The cause of death was determined to be starvation, with no evidence of significant neurological or other diseases.

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  • Louis Staunton, Patrick Staunton, Elizabeth Staunton, and Alice Rhodes were arrested and charged with Harriet’s murder.

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  • The defendants were accused of systematically starving and neglecting Harriet, while siphoning off her wealth.

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  • Witnesses testified about her skeletal appearance, poor living conditions, and physical abuse.

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  • The defence claimed that Harriet’s death was self-inflicted, citing alleged alcoholism, refusal to eat, and mental instability.

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  • On September 17, 1877, all four defendants were found guilty of Harriet’s murder.

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  • Initially sentenced to death by hanging, the verdict drew significant public attention and outrage over the cruelty involved.

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  • Public outcry and protests from 700 physicians, who claimed medical evidence was ignored, led to a review of the case.

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  • The death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment.

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  • Alice Rhodes was later pardoned entirely, while Elizabeth Staunton was released in 1883.
     

  • Louis Staunton served 20 years before being released in 1897 and emigrating to Australia, where he lived until his death in 1934.

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  • Patrick Staunton died in prison shortly after his sentencing.

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  • Harriet was buried in Beckenham cemetery. 

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