DDH - How Radio Caught a Killer

The Dave Bowman Show

Hawley Harvey Crippen, an American homeopathic doctor, became infamous for his role in one of the most sensational murder cases of the early 20th century. Born in Michigan in 1862, Crippen moved to London, where he lived with his wife, Cora, a music hall performer. Their relationship was troubled, and in 1910, after Cora mysteriously disappeared, Crippen claimed she had returned to America. Suspicion arose when police discovered a dismembered body in the cellar of their home, leading Crippen to flee with his secretary and lover, Ethel Le Neve. Crippen’s capture marked a historic moment in criminal investigations, as it was the first case in which radio technology was used to apprehend a fugitive. When Crippen and Ethel attempted to escape by ship to Canada, the ship's captain recognized them and used the newly developed wireless telegraph to alert authorities. Scotland Yard inspector Walter Dew intercepted the pair in Canada, making Crippen’s arrest one of the most dramatic and well-publicized manhunts of the era. This case showcased the power of new technology in law enforcement, forever changing how criminals could be tracked and caught in an increasingly interconnected world.