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Edinburgh: A leading city of anatomical study (Demand for cadavers are…
Edinburgh: A leading city of anatomical study
Demand for cadavers are high
Shortage in corpses
The shortage led to an increase in body snatching.
Scottish law states that corpses should only come from those who have died in prison, suicide, orphans, foundlings
The Murders
The first murder was a sick resident at Hare's lodge
Hare's Thoughts
The first death was because Hare was worried about his business failing. He did not want other customers to be led away due to the resident’s sickness. (they know that Knox would take the body so it makes sense to kill her, also since she had a fever, could pass off the death as that rather than a “murder”). Also he lost rent and suffered from financial loss.
He believed that this murder was easy to get away with, as she had a fever
He was also grateful for Burke aiding him in the murders to save his business.
Another tenant fell ill and were murdered by Burke and Hare.
Burke's Thoughts
He initially was helping his friend out with his business. As soon as he saw the reward for cadaver, he could not turn down the opportunity to be rich. Burke worked many labor intensive jobs in the past for little money and this was the perfect opportunity for him to gain a fortune “easily”.
The two became impatient when killing their victims and suffocated them while restraining, developed their technique of “burking”
However, no more tenants fell ill.....
They decided to entice victims to their lodging. To make the job easier for them they used victims that were poor, frail, or disabled. They also made sure their victims were alone so no word would get back to them.
This provided them with financial support, along with excitemnt to their boring Edinbugh lives
Burke and Hare's Thoughts
They felt a sense of accomplishment for finding a way to survive with a new fortune. Hare was grateful for Burke for aiding him in the murders that saved his business financially.
Before the Murders
Burke and Hare: No criminal record
Hare owns a lodge, but needs to recoup from some financial loss
One of the tenants died (from natural causes)
Hare's Thoughts
Did not want other customers to be led away, due to the tenant's sickenss
Hare turns to Burke, a close friend, for advice
Due to the high demand of cadavers, they decide to sell to Dr. Knox
Hare came from a poor background, never had a true "fortune"
The Aftermath
The Case
Started due to the death of the last victim, Margaret Docherty.
Police Suspected Burke and Hare but there were no evidence supporting this claim
Through questioning, Hare was granted immunity in which he confessed to the murders. He gave information on Burke and Burke's wife.
Burke was found guilty and sentenced to death
Hare's Thoughts
Hare did not feel like he owed it to Burke to save him as well. Although Burke helped him with his financial issues, he still wanted to save him and his wife. However, there still might guilt that Hare felt after betraying his friend.
Burke's Thoughts
Burke must have felt betrayed by his friend and angry at how he lost all his money in the end. Unlike Hare, Burke worked hard jobs and knew how hard it was to gain a fortune. Burke helped Hare and risked his reputation by murdering all these individuals.
Doctors found that she was suffocated.
