Harvey Richardson killed Lorraine Jacob in 1970

[Abroad]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle6237053.ece

Discovered among a dead man's effects were a written confession and evidence that would have put him to gaol was he still alive.....

The battered body of Lorraine Jacob, 19, who had two children, was found by dustmen in Liverpool city centre in September 1970. Despite an extensive investigation at the time, the case remained unsolved.

On the day of the murder Richardson, who was then 39, got steadily drunk in his digs in Huskisson Street, Liverpool, he recorded. He was drowning his sorrows because he had failed his librarian qualifications.

He noted that he had then left his digs to wander up to women “friends” in Upper Duke Street, a known haunt of prostitutes, where he noticed Miss Jacob. A row developed and he choked her.

Richardson, who suffered mental problems throughout his life, admitted that he had lost his temper. He also said he had taken the victim’s purse which contained a ticket for a pawn shop that he never visited. He tore the ticket up and cut up the blue purse before throwing the pieces away.

Mr Kemble said there did not appear to be any remorse in the confession. It appears that he had intended to take his secret to the grave.

More at link.......

[theskyisfalling]

Mr Kemble said there did not appear to be any remorse in the confession. It appears that he had intended to take his secret to the grave.

He must of had some minute intention of revealing the truth. He did indeed write a detailed account of the events and also provided evidence. I would hope this was a half ass attempt at remorse. Many killers never reveal the truth.

[Abroad]

He must of had some minute intention of revealing the truth. He did indeed write a detailed account of the events and also provided evidence. I would hope this was a half ass attempt at remorse. Many killers never reveal the truth.

My thought exactly, - then I read what they said about the confession being written very shortly after the crime. He just let it lie there for 39 years. Even when he fell ill, so ill he went to a hospice and knew he was dying for sure, he didn't make a clean breast of it. It was left for people clearing the home after he was gone to find or not. What if they had just junked the suitcase or whatever it was all concealed in without opening it? Noone would ever have known.

So why did he write the confession? Did he originally intend to send it to someone, then change his mind? Was he going to use it as a defence in case they ever caught up with him? Was it meant as a suicide note that he then decided not to use?

[theskyisfalling]

I agree that those are a lot possibilities but the idea of him telling others while he was in the hospice is far flung to me. Imagine you're dying and alone in a hospice would you want to be swept up into a whirlwind of police and media?

[Shellie435]

Remember when we were little and were angry, or something was bothering us, a grown-up would tell us to write it down on paper, crumple it up, and throw it away and you'll feel much better? Maybe thats why he wrote out the confession...he wrote it and stashed it away, basically the same as throwing it out. Outta sight..outta mind.

[Abroad]

I agree that those are a lot possibilities but the idea of him telling others while he was in the hospice is far flung to me. Imagine you're dying and alone in a hospice would you want to be swept up into a whirlwind of police and media?

Probably not......

In the old days, when people feared hell, there were death-bed confessions. People wanted absolution before going to meet their maker. I guess old Harvey was not religious.

[Abroad]

Remember when we were little and were angry, or something was bothering us, a grown-up would tell us to write it down on paper, crumple it up, and throw it away and you'll feel much better? Maybe thats why he wrote out the confession...he wrote it and stashed it away, basically the same as throwing it out. Outta sight..outta mind.

You are likely right. And he forgot it so completely that he didn't even get rid of it when he knew he was dying.......


I guess Ms Jacob's family are grateful for that much. Having answers at last must be quieting, even if the guilty party is beyond reach of punishment now.

[McQuest]

I guess Ms Jacob's family are grateful for that much. Having answers at last must be quieting, even if the guilty party is beyond reach of punishment now.

at least they know where to take a shit.