She had been battered with a hammer, then a chisel was pushed through her throat. The crime followed a series of burglaries in the St Clement s area, and families were afraid they could be the next victims. Mrs Kempson, 58, was found by her brother at Boundary House in St Clement s on August 2, 1931. Within hours, Scotland Yard detectives had arrived to help Oxford police with the murder investigation. The house had been ransacked, leaving little doubt that robbery was the motive. It was common knowledge in the neighbourhood that Mrs Kempson was wealthy and inclined to leave money lying around. She had been left six houses, including the one she lived in, by her husband Billy, who ran a fruit shop in St Clement s.
The story of one of Oxford s most gruesome murders - and how police caught the killer thisisoxfordshire.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thisisoxfordshire.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.