In March,1899, yet another murder occurred in London, and, once again, the newspapers sought to bring the details of yet another horrible crime to their readers.
The Dundee Courier, published the following account in its edition of Thursday the 9th of March, 1899:-
THE LONDON MURDER
WOMAN STRANGLED AND ROBBED
A MYSTERIOUS TRAGEDY
Additional particulars have been received regarding the murder of a German woman named Briesenick on Thursday night at 8 Whitfield Street, London, W.
It appears that the house in Whitfield Street, a typical example of the dingy London lodging-house, is tenanted by a Dutchman and his wife.
THE BRIESENICK’S MOVE IN
Five weeks ago a young German named Briesenick and his wife, also a German, but fifteen or twenty years older than the man, presented themselves with a request for lodgings, being ultimately accommodated with furnished rooms at a rental of 19s per week.
Briesenick professed to be a baker, but as he very seldom left the house it was concluded he was out of employment.
A FORTUNE TELLER
The woman was more active, and earned her living by telling fortunes with cards.
Her clients called in response to advertisements in a German paper published in London, and the occupation proved highly remunerative.
After a few weeks, however, Mrs Briesenick informed her husband that he must return to his business, as she intended to get a berth as a housekeeper, being thoroughly tired of the life she was leading.
THEY DIDN’T ARGUE
From this time the movements of the couple became somewhat involved in mystery.
They were seen to go and out of the house separately, and were heard conversing, but no one in the house seems to have heard them quarrelling.
On Wednesday night of last week Mrs. Briesenick went downstairs to pay the week’s rent.
On Thursday evening she was last seen alive sitting by the window in the front room smoking cigarettes.
A POST CARD RECEIVED
On Friday morning, as nothing was heard of the lodgers, it was concluded that they had gone out, and this supposition was apparently confirmed later in the day, when the landlord received a postcard penned in German and signed “Briesemck Fran,” informing him they had gone a little way out of town to execute a commission, and would return the same evening.
The lodgers did not return at night, nor did they put in appearance on Saturday or Sunday.
SOMETHING WAS AMISS
The landlady became alarmed, and, on visiting the rooms on Monday, she found that both doors were locked and the keys removed.
The latter fact enabled her to look through the keyhole, when she discerned an irregular-shaped figure like a human body stretched upon the bed in the front room, but so covered with clothes that it was impossible to see exactly what it was.
The owner of house speedily came to the conclusion that something was amiss, and determined to force open both doors.
MRS. BRIESENICK’S BODY FOUND
The back room disclosed nothing of unusual character, except several scraps of paper which had been written on and then torn into shreds; but a very different state of affairs presented itself in the front room, where, the bed clothes being pulled back, the object underneath was found to be the body of Mrs. Briesenick.
The head was covered with a pillow, the body with a second pillow, and upon the feet, which were carefully bound up in a large bath towel, rested a third pillow.
SIGNS OF VIOLENCE
The face, which was almost wholly blackened with extravasated blood, bore distinct traces of violence, while the throat showed marks of strangulation.
In strong contrast with these ghastly features of a most revolting crime, was the restful pose in which the body had been placed after death.
Clad only in light under-garments, the unfortunate woman was stretched out full length on the bed. Her elbows rested lightly at her side, while the hands were intertwined upon the breast.
About the body itself there were apparently marks of violence, although the corpse was lying in a pool of blood, due, perhaps, to some internal injury.
Upon a small table beside the bed were three bottles, two having contained beer, while the third was said to be filled with white lead.
THE MOTIVE WAS ROBBERY
There is no doubt that the object of the crime was robbery, the money, jewellery, and even little trinkets of smaller value have all disappeared.
The tragedy was carried out with the greatest precision and care, the murderer evidently wrapping up the body to prevent any odour reaching the floor beneath.
For the same reason the windows had been slightly opened.
Since Wednesday morning of last week nothing has been seen of the husband of the deceased woman.
THE INQUEST
The inquest was opened in London yesterday afternoon on the woman Briesenick, who was found dead under mysterious circumstances.
The medical evidence showed that death was due to violence, and the inquiry was adjourned.
The search for the missing man Brieseniek continues.