The Witchcraft Murder (The unsolved murder of Charles Walton)

This Valentine's Day, Wyrd Wessex digs into one of the most perplexing and chilling true crime cases in British history.Join Craig and Andy as they explore the brutal, unsolved murder of Charles Walton, a 74-year-old agricultural worker found savagely killed on the slopes of Meon Hill. As police struggled for answers, local whispers quickly began to spread, intertwining the gruesome crime with dark tales of witchcraft, ancient folklore, and pagan rituals.Discover a terrifying series of coincidences, from a similar murder decades earlier to spectral black dogs, a missing gravestone, and an undeniable link to one of the greatest folk horror films of all time. This is a story that defies simple explanation and plunges deep into England's dark heart.In This Episode:The Murder of Charles Walton: The horrifying details of the 74-year-old's brutal murder with his own tools, and the botched police investigation that followed.The Witchcraft Accusations: Explore the local belief that Charles Walton was a practicing witch, accused of blighting crops with Natterjack toads.A Web of Coincidences:The Valentine's Day Link: The bizarre connection to a man who died in the same spot 60 years earlier, also on Valentine's Day.The Ann Tennant Murder: The unnerving parallels with a similar unsolved murder in a nearby village.Spectral Black Dogs & The Headless Lady: The terrifying local legends of ghostly hounds and a spectral figure in a silk dress haunting the area.Folklore & Pagan Roots: The role of ancient folklore and the influence of powerful sites like the Rollright Stones and Meon Hill.Bella in the Witch Elm: A look into the chilling mystery of the woman found inside a Wych Elm, another unsolved case with eerie connections.The Wicker Man Connection: Unravel the undeniable link between the Charles Walton murder and its profound influence on the iconic folk horror film, The Wicker Man.The Missing Grave: The baffling and unsettling mystery of Charles Walton's vanished gravestone.Stay Wyrd!www.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereWritten by Craig Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.