Some crimes are so heartbreaking or shocking that they change laws, change society or even earn the label Crime of the Century.

But the stories that made headlines in decades past aren't necessarily remembered today. I'm Amber Hunt, a journalist and author,

and in each episode of this show,

I'll examine a case that's maybe lesser known today

but was huge when it happened. This is crimes of the centuries. When news first spread that a grocer from the Pimlico neighborhood of Central London had died,

few people outside of his family took notice.

The crowds that would later gather for the sensational trial were nowhere to be seen at the start of his death in quest on January 7, 1886.

A few reporters were there just to babysit the proceedings, as was the practice of the time when an unnatural death was under investigation. But straight away, it became clear that the death of Edwin Bartlett was one of the most

scintillating and strange Pimlico would ever see. The first witness at the inquest was the dead man's bereaved father who

launched into an attack against Edwin's wife Adelaide. The elder Bartlett complained that in

Edwin's final weeks alive Adelaide didn't let him visit with his son as he grappled with an inexplicable illness that seemed to emanate from his mouth.

He'd gone to the dentist for one extraction after another to rid his mouth of rotted teeth.

His gums were literally covered in fungus. Doctors spoke ominously of necrosis.

Adelaide had served as a sort of gatekeeper for her husband,

insisting he needed as much rest as possible, which, in fairness, was true.

His body was waging a mighty battle against itself throughout much of December 1885, but as the month nearer to close, it seemed Adelaide's

prescriptions were paying off. Edwin was feeling better. The agoraphobia that had gripped him during the peak of his illness was

subsiding, his mood was improving, and by December 31st he was even talking about returning

to work. It was quite the shock then when early New Year's day Adelaide

rushed through her rental home and screamed the awful words, I think Mr Bartlett is dead.

Her landlords, Mr and Mrs Frederick Doggett, rushed to the Bartlett's flat and found Edwin in

a cot near the still blazing fireplace.

...