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The 1928 Lake District Murder | The Honeymoon Killer of Borrowdale

Prash's Murder Map: True Crime Podcast

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In June 1928, a newly married Chinese couple arrived in the Lake District to enjoy their honeymoon. Days later, 28-year-old Wai Sheung Siu was found strangled in woodland near Derwentwater. Suspicion fell on her husband as hidden jewellery, cryptic notes, and reports of mysterious men and secret societies became part of a sensational murder case.

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Music:
Epidemic Sound
"Long Note Three" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
"Long Note Two" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

Sources:
Ancestry.co.uk
Two Chinese Domestic Murders – H. J. Lethbridge
UK, Calendar of Prisoners, 1868–1929
New York, New York, U.S., Marriage License Indexes, 1928
UK and Ireland, Incoming Passenger Lists, 1878-1960
Boston Evening Globe, 22 February 1922
The Scotsman – Thursday 4 August 1927
Edinburgh Evening News – 21 June 1928
Reynolds's Newspaper – Sunday 22 July 1928
Newcastle Daily Chronicle - Thursday 02 August 1928
Sheffield Daily Telegraph – 2 August 1928
Cumberland and Westmorland Herald – Saturday 4 August 1928
Gloucestershire Echo - Tuesday 23 October 1928
The Nottingham Journal – 24 October 1928
Barrow News – Saturday 27 October 1928
Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser – Saturday 27 October 1928
Evening News (London) – 20 November 1928
Shields Daily News – Tuesday 20 November 1928
Evening Standard – 20 November 1928
The Journal – 21 November 1928
Dundee Weekly News – Saturday 24 November 1928
The News – 1 December 1928
The Sunday People – Sunday 2 December 1928
Daily Express – Saturday 8 December 1928
Liverpool Echo – Saturday 8 December 1928
The Cincinnati Enquirer – 25 December 1928
The Sunday People – Sunday 6 January 1929
The Sunday Sun – 6 January 1929
Tuesday Express – Tuesday 26 March 1929

20 Comments

@prashsmurdermap Creator 1 month ago Pinned

**All the sources used for researching this episode are listed in the description above. Some of the images come from my own postcard collection. The black-and-white footage of the Lake District comes from an old film which I believe was originally shot on 8mm film. The modern footage at the beginning was filmed by me using my phone in the Lake District. Other images come from newspapers, old film stills and historic archives. The illustrations of the restaurant scene and the Dragon Dance were created by Phil Shum. The black-and-white footage of Paris was filmed by Ernest Palmer around 1930.

Let me know your thoughts about this case in the comments below. 💬 If you found this episode interesting, please consider liking, subscribing, and turning on notifications 🔔. If you have the option, a Hype would also be much appreciated. 👍

@suzp2265 1 month ago

imagine going on holiday with Prash - "Isn't the view spectacular Prash!" "Yes! I can see EXACTLY where the body was dumped!" 😂 Seriously though I really appreciate this channel, the hard work and dedication to reviving these tragic little pieces of our collective history. Thank you!

@Garfunkels_Funky_Uncle 1 month ago

Thank you for making videos that don't use AI images or voice-overs. DON'T EVER CHANGE!

@vees6137 1 month ago

Commenting to help the algorithm. I highly enjoy your narration and content, the episodes are well paced and I love that you often choose older, less well-publicized cases, which makes listening even more interesting. The lack of AI in your work is very much appreciated too, keep up the good work

@eolhcytoos 1 month ago

Narration of the highest magnitude. Detailing is unsurpassed. Thank you.

@johnnysorng 1 month ago

A truly sad story, betrayed utterly by someone she loved. At least he met his end with the help of Mr Pierrepoint.

@JayGideon-7 1 month ago (edited)

As always you've presented an intriguing case with respect for the victim. Your attention to production values shows respect for us, your audience. Thank you both!

@mausercawley 1 month ago

Never been this early! Another quality production, Prash.

@lambchop857 6 days ago

10/10 videos - the writing, the voice, the speed of narration, the imagery. Amazing work, thank you.

@marymarkezinis1119 1 month ago

I have read about this case in the past, but it wasn't as detailed as your version. I never knew about his first wife or son. Very well done on all your research. It's much appreciated. Expertly narrated again. A very tragic case with a just ending. Thanks, Prash ❤❤❤

@Cumbriman 1 month ago

I'm from the lake district and hadn't heard of this case before .

@Kay-dg1ep 1 month ago

You have investigated this case in depth and it shows! I really enjoyed hearing the facts - thank you ❤

@kevinkenny6975 1 month ago

What a wicked person. Justice done. Thanks Prash and Melissa for all your efforts in producing this wonderful channel.

@Roberta-anne 6 hours ago

True crime is sometimes stranger than fiction. Sad for both the wives and the son. Loved the photography and the fact that you provide sources.

@lisah7078 1 month ago (edited)

Loved the intro with the true crime on your brain even when you're holidaying
"my wife was rather less enthusiastic about discussing true crime while on holiday" 😂😂

@PartyAtTheTop 1 month ago

I recently moved near the Lake District and plan to visit areas very soon. This video was brilliantly put together. I wonder if anyone else noticed the article on the Channel Tunnel at 26:16 – how interesting that it was being discussed as far back as 1929!

@PumaLyn 1 month ago

3:46 a.m. I couldn't go back to sleep and smiled when I saw this on my notifications. 😊
Thanking you wholly from Penang Island, Malaysia. ❤

@heidi2217 1 month ago

This channel is great ! The motive he had was clear. He didn't want his wife #1 or #2 to find out about his disloyal behavior. He also may have thought he would get some kind of insurance settlement for her disappearance, eventually. But ,he would settle for getting his money back for the rings. Probably spending money he couldn't account for with two wives and all his deceptive behavior. What a Fraud. He truly thought he was going to get away with this cold blooded crime and that the wife #1 would never find him out, since she lived in Hong Kong. Just horrible !! There was never a language barrier and the parents were in total denial, were enablers that coddled him and payed for everything ,even when he was a grown man. Selfish ,spoiled ,creepy Asian psychopath .