Ruth Ellis: The Last Woman Hanged in Britain

In the spring of 1955, a crime of passion unfolded on a quiet London street, capturing the attention of an entire nation. Ruth Ellis, a 28-year-old nightclub hostess, shot and killed her abusive lover David Blakely outside a pub in Hampstead. She fired six shots, then calmly waited for police to arrive. At her trial, Ruth showed no remorse. She admitted to the killing and said she intended to kill him. The jury deliberated for just 14 minutes before finding her guilty of murder. On July 13, 1955, Ruth Ellis became the last woman to be executed in the United Kingdom. But Ruth's story is more than just a murder. It's a story of domestic abuse, desperation, and a legal system that failed to consider the circumstances that drove her to kill. Her execution sparked national outrage and helped fuel the movement to abolish capital punishment in Britain. This episode explores the life, crime, trial, and execution of Ruth Ellis—and the legacy she left behind. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com #TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #RuthEllis #London #UK #BritishTrueCrime #CapitalPunishment #DomesticAbuse Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices