In the summer of 1895, brothers Robert and Nattie Coombes were having the time of their lives. The boys had been left home alone to do as they please. Their dad was away at sea and their mom had gone to visit an aunt out of town. Or at least, that’s what they told anyone who inquired as to their mother’s whereabouts. After ten days of freedom, their mother’s severely decayed body was found in the front bedroom of their home. Robert confessed to the murder, but being as he was only 13 years old, he was sentenced to Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum.

It seems like this would be the end of Robert’s story, right? Well, he went on to live a very interesting life after Broadmoor and even saved lives. What do you think? Was Robert a cold blooded killer or a kid just trying to protect his younger brother?

Come along with Hannah and her mom as they discuss Nattie the squirrel boy, “stealing” food, and having too much brain matter for one’s skull.  

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains discussions of child abuse and homicide. Listener discretion is advised.

—

Please subscribe, rate, and review. Follow us on Instagram @spookybitchwalk and Facebook at Spooky Btch Walk for all the updates. Email us at [email protected] to share all your spooky stories and case suggestions.  

Sources:

Summerscale, K. (2017). The wicked boy: An infamous murder in Victorian London. Penguin Books.