In this episode of Historical True Crime, we explore the chilling story of Robert Coombes, a 13-year-old boy who murdered his mother in 1895 Victorian London. Delve into the shocking details of the crime, the subsequent trial that captivated the nation, and the psychological factors that left experts baffled. Discover how Robert's obsession with sensationalist literature and his troubled upbringing led to one of history's most unsettling true crime cases. Join us as we unravel the mystery behind East London's boy killer.

Source Materials

https://www.jack-the-ripper-tour.com/generalnews/matricide-in-plaistow-1895/

https://www.jack-the-ripper-tour.com/generalnews/robert-allen-coombes/

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/may/05/the-wicked-boy-the-mystery-of-a-victorian-child-murderer-kate-summerscale-review

https://www.historicmysteries.com/major-crimes/robert-coombes/34645/

https://slate.com/culture/2016/07/kate-summerscales-the-wicked-boy-reviewed.html

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/books/article-3575991/Saved-Broadmoor-Victorian-boy-murdered-mother-saved-institution-s-enlightened-conditions.html

https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/books/the-wicked-boy-20160524-gp2i3x.html

https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/books/678903/Redemption-Victorian-boy-killed-mother-Plaistow-Robert-Coombes-Broadmoor-Kate-Summerscale