In 1913 Christina Catherine Bradfield was employed as a Shop Manageress by her family, ‘Bradfield Tentor Tarpaulins’, 86, Old Hall Street, Liverpool. The shop sold tarpaulin, sacks, ropes and twine.

On Wednesday, 10th December 1913 Christina Catherine Bradfield was murdered by a member of her own staff, George Ball alias George Sumner. His accomplice, also a member of staff was Samuel Angelas Eltoft who helped to dispose of the body by placing it in a sack and then moving it by handcart to the Leeds – Liverpool Canal and throwing it in. Both believed that the body would be washed away into the sea by the River Mersey and the fate of Christina would have never been known. Unfortunately for them the sack became lodged in the canal’s lock gates and the grim discovery was made by the crew of a passing canal barge.

The author of this article, Dr. Lynda Letford is related to Christina Bradfield, she being the sister of Dr. Letford’s great grandfather, George Gladstone Bradfield.

The article gives insight into how life was at the turn of the 19th. century, how the police investigated the murder and the judicial system at the time.

Brian Starkey, August 2012

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THE SACK MURDER: CHRISTINA CATHERINE BRADFIELD 1874 – 1913