In a small town, two women are found brutally murdered in a hair salon, leading to a perplexing investigation. The case involves a mysterious man who targeted one of the victims and unsettling clues left at the crime scene. Family dynamics and potential motives are uncovered, leaving lingering suspicions and doubts. The podcast explores the unsolved murders with a mix of personal stories and investigative challenges.
The chilling encounter with a mysterious man added tension to the salon atmosphere before the brutal murders occurred.
The unsolved murders of Margaret Penny and Claire Acocks left the community of Portland in lasting trauma and fear.
The suspicions surrounding Robert Penny, despite circumstantial evidence, failed to definitively link him to the crimes.
Deep dives
Claire Acox Encounter with the Horrible Man
In April 1991, Claire Acox had a disturbing encounter with a long-haired man at the salon. The man appeared unexpectedly demanding a haircut, making derogatory remarks, and leaving Claire frightened. Claire described him as a horrible man with creepy eyes who threatened to return, adding tension and fear to the salon atmosphere.
Murder of Margaret Penny and Claire Acox
On May 3, 1991, Margaret Penny and Claire Acox were found brutally murdered at the salon. They were bound and stabbed to death in the shampoo room, with defensive wounds indicating a struggle. The scene revealed a vicious attack, and the perpetrator fled with stolen cash, leaving a mysterious bloody shoe print and no immediate suspects.
Investigation and Community Impact
The investigation into the murders faced challenges with limited evidence and false leads. The community of Portland was shaken by the violent crime, leading to heightened fear and security measures. Despite extensive inquiries, interviews, and theories, including encounters with potential suspects, the case remained unsolved, leaving lasting trauma in the town.
Complexities Surrounding Robert Penny
Robert Penny, the husband of Margaret Penny, came under suspicion for the murders based on circumstantial evidence that included his behavior after the deaths. His remarriage with a family friend shortly after Margaret's murder raised questions regarding his involvement. Suspicion escalated when his son disclosed that Robert had lied about not having access to a car when the murders occurred. However, despite these suspicions and claims, a series of investigations, interviews, and evidence analysis failed to definitively link Robert to the crimes, leading to his formal charge much later in 2015.
Unresolved Murders in Portland
The murders of Margaret Penny and Claire Acox remain unsolved despite extensive investigations and multiple inquiries over the years. The presence of forensic evidence, including DNA profiles, raised hopes for a breakthrough, but no conclusive match was found. Various theories and suspicions involving different individuals, such as Gordon and Russell Smith, have emerged but have not led to conclusive outcomes. The tragic impact on the victims' families, the community of Portland, and the enduring quest for justice highlight the unresolved nature of these brutal and heinous crimes.
May 3 1991, was a typical Friday for 58-year-old Margaret Penny. In the afternoon, she visited the Old London Coiffure in the heart of Portland, Victoria, for her weekly hair appointment with 49-year-old Claire Acocks. But when the two women are found stabbed to death in the salon’s shampoo room, the Portland rumour mill goes into overdrive.
Who could be motivated to commit such a brazen and vicious crime in the middle of the day, in the busiest part of town? And who was the “horrible man” with a hatred of hairdressers who had tormented Claire in the weeks before the crime?
