In this final installment of our seven-part series, we follow Ruth Ellis through her last days and hours at Holloway Prison. Convicted of the murder of her lover, David Blakely, Ruth became the last woman hanged in Britain.

We trace the frantic efforts made by friends, family, and even members of the public to win her a reprieve—and the powerful voices calling for her execution to go forward. We recount the haunting details of her final letters, her last walk to the gallows, and her shocking confession on the eve of her death that suggested she did not act alone.

📺 Watch episodes on YouTube and subscribe for updates: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponACrimePodcast 

Sources:

A Fine Day for a Hanging: The Ruth Ellis Story, Carol Ann Lee, Mainstream Publishing, 2013.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruth_Ellis

https://realcrimes.co.uk/ruth-ellis-jealousy-rejection-and-a-hanging/

https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/tvfilm/ruth-ellis-real-story-last-woman-hanged-murder-a-cruel-love-b1141748.html

https://web.archive.org/web/20141204212735/http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/women/ellis/5.html

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2003/sep/12/ukcrime.claredyer

https://www.hampshirelive.news/news/history/woman-hanged-ruth-ellis-hampshire-4192091

https://www.crimemagazine.com/ruth-ellis-love-lust-and-death-gallows

Resources & Further Reading

• Dance with a Stranger (1985 film)
• ITV’s A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story (2025)
• Ruth Ellis: My Sister’s Secret Life by Muriel Jakubait
• Line Up for Crime by Duncan Webb

Sponsors: 

See a list of our sponsors and discount codes on our website:

https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/sponsors/

Links: 

Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime 

Our Website - www.truecrimepodcast.com 

✈️ Travel with Us to Mexico City! 🇲🇽

We’re taking Once Upon a Crime on the road—and you’re invited! In March 2026, join us for a fun, fabulous 4-day group trip to vibrant Mexico City. Explore incredible sights, savor delicious food, and connect with fellow true crime fans on an unforgettable adventure.

Reserve your spot today with just 25% down—but hurry, space is limited and will sell out fast!

🔗 Click here to learn more and book your spot now!

Support the Show:

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review. Your support helps us bring more stories like Ruth’s to life.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Ruth Ellis takes the stand in her own defense during her murder trial at the Old Bailey. What unfolds is one of the most disastrous testimonies in British legal history.

Ruth answers questions with little emotion, even while recounting her tumultuous relationship with David Blakely, his violence, her miscarriage, and her decision to end their affair. Her matter-of-fact answers shock the jury, and her own attorney is stunned when she calmly admits, “I had an idea I wanted to kill him.”

🔗 Listen now to hear the dramatic conclusion of Ruth’s trial—and stay tuned for Part Seven, the final chapter of her story.

✨ Don’t miss the finale of this series, dropping September 8th.

📺 Watch episodes on YouTube and subscribe for updates: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponACrimePodcast 

🎟️ Join us at CrimeCon Denver (Sept 5–8, 2025) and hang out with Esther on Creator’s Row! Get discounted tickets at crimecon.com with code ONCE.  

Sources:

A Fine Day for a Hanging: The Ruth Ellis Story, Carol Ann Lee, Mainstream Publishing, 2013.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruth_Ellis

https://realcrimes.co.uk/ruth-ellis-jealousy-rejection-and-a-hanging/

https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/tvfilm/ruth-ellis-real-story-last-woman-hanged-murder-a-cruel-love-b1141748.html

https://web.archive.org/web/20141204212735/http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/women/ellis/5.html

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2003/sep/12/ukcrime.claredyer

https://www.hampshirelive.news/news/history/woman-hanged-ruth-ellis-hampshire-4192091

https://www.crimemagazine.com/ruth-ellis-love-lust-and-death-gallows

Sponsors: 

See a list of our sponsors and discount codes on our website:

https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/sponsors/

Links: 

Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime 

Our Website - www.truecrimepodcast.com 

✈️ Travel with Us to Mexico City! 🇲🇽

We’re taking Once Upon a Crime on the road—and you’re invited! In March 2026, join us for a fun, fabulous 4-day group trip to vibrant Mexico City. Explore incredible sights, savor delicious food, and connect with fellow true crime fans on an unforgettable adventure.

Reserve your spot today with just 25% down—but hurry, space is limited and will sell out fast!

🔗 Click here to learn more and book your spot now!

Support the Show:

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review. Your support helps us bring more stories like Ruth’s to life.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On Easter weekend 1955, Ruth Ellis reached her breaking point.

After years of jealousy, violence, and betrayal, she spent a long, sleepless night replaying the wreckage of her life — and blaming one man: David Blakely. By Easter Sunday, her rage would boil over into an act that would shock Britain and seal her fate as the last woman hanged in the UK.

In this episode, we follow Ruth’s final hours before the shooting — a day marked by obsessive phone calls, tense stakeouts, and a simmering fury that would explode in front of witnesses. This is the moment where obsession turned deadly.

🔍 Part Five picks up the story in the final hours before the shooting — the culmination of a deadly obsession.

🎧 Listen now to uncover the tragic and tense moments before Ruth Ellis pulled the trigger.

#TrueCrimePodcast #RuthEllis #LastWomanHanged #TrueCrimeHistory #CrimeOfPassion #BritishTrueCrime #OnceUponACrime

Sources:

A Fine Day for a Hanging: The Ruth Ellis Story, Carol Ann Lee, Mainstream Publishing, 2013.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruth_Ellis

https://realcrimes.co.uk/ruth-ellis-jealousy-rejection-and-a-hanging/

https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/tvfilm/ruth-ellis-real-story-last-woman-hanged-murder-a-cruel-love-b1141748.html

https://web.archive.org/web/20141204212735/http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/women/ellis/5.html

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2003/sep/12/ukcrime.claredyer

https://www.hampshirelive.news/news/history/woman-hanged-ruth-ellis-hampshire-4192091

https://www.crimemagazine.com/ruth-ellis-love-lust-and-death-gallows

Sponsors: 

See a list of our sponsors and discount codes on our website:

https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/sponsors/

Links: 

Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime 

Our Website - www.truecrimepodcast.com 

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponACrimePodcast

Join us in Denver for our favorite weekend of the year. CrimeCon Denver September 5 - 7 2025. Use code: ONCE to save.

🔗 - See you in Denver.

✈️ Travel with Us to Mexico City! 🇲🇽

We’re taking Once Upon a Crime on the road—and you’re invited! In March 2026, join us for a fun, fabulous 4-day group trip to vibrant Mexico City. Explore incredible sights, savor delicious food, and connect with fellow true crimefans on an unforgettable adventure.

Reserve your spot today with just 25% down—but hurry, space is limited and will sell out fast!

🔗 Click here to learn more and book your spot now!

Support the Show:

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review. Your support helps us bring more stories like Ruth’s to life.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This is Part Four of our 7-part series, Hanged: Ruth Ellis and the Price of Passion. We trace the true story of the last woman hanged in Britain, exploring the tangled mix of love, obsession, and violence that sealed her fate.

In this episode of Once Upon a Crime, the destructive love affair between Ruth Ellis and David Blakely spirals further into chaos. David’s jealousy and violent outbursts threaten Ruth’s livelihood, her home, and her relationships. By the winter of 1954, the tension between them reaches a breaking point.

On Christmas Day, what should have been a festive celebration turns into a drunken, humiliating spectacle that shocks party guests and deepens Ruth’s emotional entanglement. As the new year approaches, Ruth’s world teeters on the edge — and the toxic bond she shares with David is leading them both toward disaster.

Content Warning:

This episode contains descriptions of domestic violence and emotional abuse. Listener discretion is advised.

Sources:

A Fine Day for a Hanging: The Ruth Ellis Story, Carol Ann Lee, Mainstream Publishing, 2013.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruth_Ellis

https://realcrimes.co.uk/ruth-ellis-jealousy-rejection-and-a-hanging/

https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/tvfilm/ruth-ellis-real-story-last-woman-hanged-murder-a-cruel-love-b1141748.html

https://web.archive.org/web/20141204212735/http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/women/ellis/5.html

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2003/sep/12/ukcrime.claredyer

https://www.hampshirelive.news/news/history/woman-hanged-ruth-ellis-hampshire-4192091

https://www.crimemagazine.com/ruth-ellis-love-lust-and-death-gallows

Sponsors: 

See a list of our sponsors and discount codes on our website:

https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/sponsors/

Connect With Us:

Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime 

Our Website - www.truecrimepodcast.com 

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponACrimePodcast

Support the Show:

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review. Your support helps us bring more stories like Ruth’s to life.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In Part Three of “Hanged: Ruth Ellis and the Price of Passion”, we delve into the turbulent 1954 relationship between Ruth Ellis, David Blakely, and Desmond Cussen. Discover how Ruth’s guarded heart, David’s infatuation, and a dangerous rivalry set the stage for obsession, jealousy, and ultimately, tragedy.

Sources:

A Fine Day for a Hanging: The Ruth Ellis Story, Carol Ann Lee, Mainstream Publishing, 2013.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruth_Ellis

https://realcrimes.co.uk/ruth-ellis-jealousy-rejection-and-a-hanging/

https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/tvfilm/ruth-ellis-real-story-last-woman-hanged-murder-a-cruel-love-b1141748.html

https://web.archive.org/web/20141204212735/http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/women/ellis/5.html

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2003/sep/12/ukcrime.claredyer

https://www.hampshirelive.news/news/history/woman-hanged-ruth-ellis-hampshire-4192091

https://www.crimemagazine.com/ruth-ellis-love-lust-and-death-gallows

Sponsors: 

See a list of our sponsors and discount codes on our website:

https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/sponsors/

Connect With Us:

Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime 

Our Website - www.truecrimepodcast.com 

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponACrimePodcast

Support the Show:

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review. Your support helps us bring more stories like Ruth’s to life.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this gripping second installment of “Hanged,” we delve into Ruth Ellis’s tumultuous journey through London’s shadowy nightlife, her relationship with the infamous Morris “Morrie” Conley, and her turbulent romance with George Ellis. Discover how Ruth’s ambition and desire for stability drew her deeper into a world of glamour, vice, and violence.  

From her early days working as a nightclub hostess, trading favors for survival, to her volatile marriage with George—an obsessive, alcohol-dependent man haunted by his past—this episode exposes the dark realities behind her quest for respectability and love.  

Explore Ruth’s struggles with violence, her desperate attempts at stability, and the complex web of relationships that ultimately set her on the tragic path leading to Britain’s last woman execution.

Sources:

A Fine Day for a Hanging: The Ruth Ellis Story, Carol Ann Lee, Mainstream Publishing, 2013.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruth_Ellis

https://realcrimes.co.uk/ruth-ellis-jealousy-rejection-and-a-hanging/

https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/tvfilm/ruth-ellis-real-story-last-woman-hanged-murder-a-cruel-love-b1141748.html

https://web.archive.org/web/20141204212735/http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/women/ellis/5.html

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2003/sep/12/ukcrime.claredyer

https://www.hampshirelive.news/news/history/woman-hanged-ruth-ellis-hampshire-4192091

https://www.crimemagazine.com/ruth-ellis-love-lust-and-death-gallows

Sponsors: 

See a list of our sponsors and discount codes on our website:

https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/sponsors/

Connect With Us:

Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime 

Our Website -  www.truecrimepodcast.com 

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponACrimePodcast

Support the Show:

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review. Your support helps us bring more stories like Ruth’s to life.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Step into the haunting and captivating story of Ruth Neilson Ellis, the last woman to be executed in the United Kingdom. This Once Upon a Crime original series traces Ruth’s tragic life—from her fragile childhood amid the chaos of World War II, through her rise as a nightclub hostess caught in London’s glamorous yet dangerous underworld, to her devastating fall that culminated in her execution in 1955.

Through historical insights and compelling storytelling, we explore the social and cultural forces that shaped Ruth’s destiny. Discover how a young girl scarred by family abuse, war, and heartbreak navigated a world of glamour, crime, and ultimately, despair. 

This series is a powerful reflection on love, loss, and the devastating consequences of passion, raising questions about justice, society’s treatment of women, and the enduring human cost behind the headlines. 

Stay Subscribed for Part Two:

Next time, we delve deeper into Ruth Ellis’s life as a nightclub hostess, her tumultuous relationships, and how she fell into London’s seedier side—leading to a shocking climax that would mark her forever as a tragic figure in British history.

Connect With Us:

Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime 

Our Website - www.truecrimepodcast.com 

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponACrimePodcast

Support the Show:

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review. Your support helps us bring more stories like Ruth’s to life.

Sources:

A Fine Day for a Hanging: The Ruth Ellis Story, Carol Ann Lee, Mainstream Publishing, 2013.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruth_Ellis

https://realcrimes.co.uk/ruth-ellis-jealousy-rejection-and-a-hanging/

https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/tvfilm/ruth-ellis-real-story-last-woman-hanged-murder-a-cruel-love-b1141748.html

https://web.archive.org/web/20141204212735/http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/women/ellis/5.html

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2003/sep/12/ukcrime.claredyer

https://www.hampshirelive.news/news/history/woman-hanged-ruth-ellis-hampshire-4192091

https://www.crimemagazine.com/ruth-ellis-love-lust-and-death-gallows

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Discover the haunting story of Ruth Ellis, the last woman executed in the UK. This Once Upon a Crime series follows Ruth’s journey from a troubled wartime childhood to the smoky nightclubs of London’s underworld—and finally, to the crime that sealed her fate in 1955.

Blending history and storytelling, we explore how love, violence, and society’s harsh judgments shaped Ruth’s life and legacy. A powerful reflection on justice, passion, and the human tragedy behind the headlines.

A haunting journey through glamour, love, and tragedy. Subscribe and download now so you don’t miss a single episode.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

 Jonathan Joss (1965–2025) was a Native American actor and musician renowned for his roles as John Redcorn in King of the Hill and Chief Ken Hotate in Parks and Recreation. His tragic death on June 1, 2025, has brought attention to issues of hate crimes and the underrepresentation of Native American victims in media coverage. Native activists emphasize that Joss’ death highlights an underreported crisis of mental health disparities and violence against Native and LGBTQ communities.

#JonathanJoss #TrueCrimePodcast #MentalHealthAwareness #IndigenousVoices #MediaBias #OnceUponACrime #JusticeForJonathanJoss #NativeAmericanIssues #SystemicNeglect #TrueCrimeAndTrauma

Resources: 

• The Trevor Project – for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults in crisis, call 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 678-678 or visit their website thetrevorproject.org. 

• StrongHearts Native Helpline – a culturally appropriate helpline for Native Americans impacted by domestic or sexual violence. Call 1-844-7NATIVE, that 1-844-762-8483 or visit strongheartshelpline.org

Sources:

https://www.fox7austin.com/news/jonathan-joss-murder-suspect-sigfredo-ceja-alvarez-bond

https://apnews.com/article/king-of-hill-actor-fatally-shot-joss-68cdcbcdefd0515d5315755201245fca

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3rp3n54d98o

https://www.tpr.org/podcast/fronteras/2025-06-13/fronteras-death-of-jonathan-joss-highlights-systemic-disparities-in-native-and-lgbtq-communities

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jonathan-joss-killed-investigation-sexual-orientation-what-to-know/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Joss

https://deadline.com/2025/06/jonathan-joss-killed-king-of-the-hill-actor-1236420464/

https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2025/06/03/i-shot-him-suspect-admitted-to-killing-actor-jonathan-joss-amid-ongoing-feud-report-states/

Sponsors: 

Cornbread Hemp - Visit cornbreadhemp.com/once and use code ONCE for 30% off your first order. 

Links: 

Join us in Mexico City March 27th - 30th, 2026! Travel with us for four unforgettable days in Mexico City for a safe, fun, and amazing experience! Tickets are on sale now and include meals, activities and expert local guides - all for $1951! (Flights not included.)  Click on the link to book your spot! Reserve your spot for just 25% down, pay in full, or apply for a payment plan at booking.  The first 8 people to book will receive and early bird discount! 

https://trovatrip.com/trip/north-america/mexico/mexico-with-esther-ludlow-mar-2026

Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime 

Our Website -  www.truecrimepodcast.com 

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponACrimePodcast

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Pack your bags and grab your passport — we’re taking the Once Upon a Crime community on the road! In this special episode, we’re officially announcing our upcoming group trip to Mexico City, and trust us, you’re going to want in on this.

From March 27–30, 2025, we’ll be exploring one of the world’s most vibrant cities together — filled with amazing food, iconic art, rich history, and a killer itinerary curated just for our true crime-loving community. You’ll travel with like-minded listeners, hang out with your hosts, and experience CDMX like a local.

✨ Trip Details:

• 📍 Location: Mexico City
• 📅 Dates: March 27–30, 2026
• 💵 Price: $1951 (flights not included)
• 🍽️ Includes 3 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Small group: 8–20 spots available

🎧 Tune in now for all the details and get ready for an unforgettable adventure with Once Upon a Crime.

🔗 Links & Resources:

• 💻 Learn more at https://trovatrip.com/trip/north-america/mexico/mexico-with-esther-ludlow-mar-2026 

#OnceUponATrip #MexicoCity2025 #TrueCrimeTravels #PatreonExclusive #OUACCommunity #TravelWithUs

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.