Staffordshire: The Rugeley Poisoner's First Victim

Staffordshire: The Rugeley Poisoner's First Victim

Author: Shane L. Waters, Wendy Cee, Gemma Hoskins February 10, 2026 Duration: 22:10

In the fog-laden lanes of Victorian Staffordshire, William Palmer found his first victim, igniting a path of sinister intent that would crown him the notorious Rugeley Poisoner. Season 38 of Foul Play delves deep into the life and crimes of William Palmer, unraveling the chilling narrative from his humble beginnings to the peak of his criminal exploits. Long before William Palmer was branded a murderer, he was a doctor known for his charisma and skill in horse racing circles. He was a family man in a seemingly picturesque town. However, beneath this facade lurked a fervent gambler whose debts began to wrap around him tighter than a noose. This era, marked by Victorian values and advances, had a grim undercurrent of greed and deception. Palmer's affinity for opiates as tools of murder was not just a personal vice but a reflection of a society enamored with quick fixes. In this opening episode, we explore Palmer’s descent into murder, beginning with his first victim, whose death set into motion a series of tragic events cloaked in toxic intent. The corridors of power in Victorian England turned a blind eye to many such crimes, yet the ripples of Palmer’s actions forced them to open their eyes. As we dissect his first victim’s fall, understand how a peculiar autopsy would reveal too much. The series is as much about the victims as the perpetrator, capturing the essence of lives ended too soon. Journey with us from a genteel existence to an atmosphere of dread as we follow Palmer's cunning maneuvers, hear witness accounts, and unravel the medical perspectives.



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Step back into an era of flickering gaslight and whispered secrets, where justice was often as murky as the London fog or as stark as a frontier town’s saloon. Foul Play: A Historical True Crime Podcast exhumes long-forgotten criminal cases from the 1800s and early 1900s, meticulously piecing together stories that newspapers sensationalized and time nearly erased. Hosts Shane Waters, a veteran whose work helped shape the genre, and Wendy Cee, alongside researcher Gemma Hoskins, guide you through each meticulously researched season. They focus on a single, complete narrative, building the tension from the crime itself through the investigation and into the courtroom’s hushed drama. You’ll hear more than just the facts; you’ll get a sense of the societal pressures, the legal limitations, and the human lives entangled in each historical moment. This isn't about quick summaries-it's a deep, immersive audio experience that treats the past with the gravity it deserves. The podcast connects the dots using original documents, period accounts, and a clear-eyed analysis that separates legend from truth. It’s for anyone who wonders about the real stories lurking in the shadows of history, told with a journalist’s precision and a storyteller’s care for the victims and the complexities of their times. Listen to Foul Play for a compelling journey where every clue matters and history itself is the most important character.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Foul Play: A Historical True Crime Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Mysteries on the True Crime Express [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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...1 historic steam train... ...9 exceptional true crime podcasts... ...9 tales woven with the spirit of Women's Day... ...Will YOU unravel the mysteries aboard?This International Women's Day, join Shane Waters and Wendy…
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Relive Zodiac's Jensen & Faraday Murders, delving into chilling... Join us as we revisit these infamous crimes that sent shockwaves through California. The narrative of Betty Lou Jensen and David Faraday’s tragic demise…
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New York: Family Business Deepens [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:32
New York: Aundria Bowman's story deepens as new avenues of investigation open, revealing connections to past crimes and the...Our Sponsors:* Check out Mood and use my code SHANE for a great deal: https://mood.comAdvertis…
New York: Just Family Business Unfolds [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:52
New York: Just Family Business starts with a seemingly ordinary family deeply entangled in crime and mystery. As secrets...Our Sponsors:* Check out Mood and use my code SHANE for a great deal: https://mood.comAdvertising…
Baltimore: A Doctor's Quest for Justice [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:43:19
A doctor's quest for justice navigates the murky waters of Sister Cathy's case. Episode 91 explores... --- Support Foul Play: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/foulplaypodcast Website: https://www.mythsandmalice.com/show/…
Seattle: Blonde Disappearance Investigation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:56
Seattle: Unearth the investigations surrounding Inna Budnystska's disappearance and the turning points in finding justice...Our Sponsors:* Check out Mood and use my code SHANE for a great deal: https://mood.comAdvertisin…
Seattle: The Vanishing Blonde Mystery [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:58
Seattle: Discovered at a construction site, Inna Budnystska's story begins. A young woman victimized, her case reveals a...Our Sponsors:* Check out Mood and use my code SHANE for a great deal: https://mood.comAdvertising…
Baltimore: The Jesuit Connection in Cathy's Case [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:24
The Jesuit connection unravels new leads in Sister Cathy's case. In Episode 90, Foul Play sheds light on... --- Support Foul Play: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/foulplaypodcast Website: https://www.mythsandmalice.com/…
Dallas: What Happened to Tina Milford? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:53
Dallas: Tina Milford's night shift ends in an unresolved mystery. Her sudden disappearance leaves a trail of questions fo...Our Sponsors:* Check out Mood and use my code SHANE for a great deal: https://mood.comAdvertisin…