Dark Histories George Joseph Smith: The Case of the Brides in the Bath
Feb 3, 2026
A string of mysterious bathtub drownings across early 1900s Britain draws attention to a man living under multiple names. Social pressures on women, life insurance schemes and rushed marriages emerge as a dangerous pattern. Undercover police work, exhumations and dramatic forensic tests push the investigation toward a sensational courtroom showdown.
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Honeymoon Tragedy In Blackpool
- Alice Burnham married George Smith, took out life insurance, and drowned in a hotel bath on holiday in Blackpool.
- George arranged a cheap funeral, then left when Alice's family arrived to oversee proceedings.
Margaret's Elopement And Fatal Bath
- Margaret Lofty ran off to marry John Lloyd and drowned in a bath shortly after moving to London.
- Her post-mortem found little, and the inquest recorded accidental death from fainting due to influenza.
Forensics Hit Limits, Circumstance Gained Weight
- Exhumations produced limited forensic evidence due to decomposition, but uncovered Smith's sizable insurance gains.
- Lack of physical proof initially stymied prosecution despite mounting circumstantial links.
