Murder: True Crime Stories – Episode: SOLVED: Olive Durand-Deacon 1
Release Date: January 21, 2025
Introduction
In the gripping first installment of the two-part series on Olive Durand-Deacon, host Carter Roy delves deep into the sinister life of serial killer John George Hay. This episode meticulously unpacks Hay's calculated descent into murder, culminating in the tragic death of Olive Durand-Deacon—a wealthy widow whose life was brutally cut short. Through detailed narratives and compelling insights, Carter Roy sheds light on the dark motivations and methods that defined Hay's spree.
John George Hay: From Charismatic Gentleman to Serial Killer
The episode opens with an exploration of first impressions and their deceptive nature, setting the stage for understanding John George Hay's manipulative facade.
"Believe what they say, take their word for truth without question. That's what serial killer John George Hay relied on to lure in his victims."
— Carter Roy [00:00]
Hay's charm and likable demeanor masked his true intent: a ruthless predator targeting unsuspecting individuals to steal their fortunes. Born on July 24, 1909, in Yorkshire, England, Hay's upbringing was heavily influenced by his father's strict Plymouth Brethren beliefs, fostering a childhood steeped in fear and paranoia.
Early Criminal Ventures and Escalation
Hay's initial foray into crime began with minor frauds and escalated rapidly. After dabbling in auto engineering, he shifted to sales and advertising, where his penchant for deceit emerged.
"John would tell more tall tales. But to John's surprise, no blue blemish appeared on his skin."
— Carter Roy [04:18]
This incident, where Hay's fabricated lies went unchecked, emboldened him to believe he was invincible. His first major crime involved a fraudulent car-selling scheme, which, despite initial success, led to his first imprisonment for fraud and forgery in November 1934.
Incarceration and the Birth of a Killer
During his time in prison, Hay's criminal ingenuity intensified. Fascinated by the methods of French murderer Georges Alexandre Sauret, who used sulfuric acid to dispose of bodies, Hay conducted gruesome experiments.
"He collected a few jars of it and when nobody was around, he dropped dead mice into the jars. Then he waited to see how long it took for the mice's bodies to fully dissolve."
— Carter Roy [11:48]
These experiments solidified his resolve to eliminate threats permanently, marking a significant turning point in his homicidal trajectory.
Reintegration and Renewed Criminal Activity
Upon his release in 1943, Hay attempted to appear legitimate by securing a job as a chauffeur for William "Mac" McSwan. However, his inherent distrust and greed soon resurfaced, leading to Mac's murder and the subsequent disposal of his body in acid.
"John had a gambling problem and an insatiable appetite for luxury."
— Carter Roy [29:31]
Hay's pattern became clear: befriending his victims, gaining their trust, and then systematically eliminating them to seize their wealth.
The Target: Olive Durand-Deacon
By 1949, John Hay set his sights on Olive Durand-Deacon, a 69-year-old wealthy widow residing at the prestigious Onslow Court Hotel in Kensington. Olive's affluent lifestyle and relative isolation made her an attractive target for Hay's next scheme.
"John also probably assumed Olive was an easier target than his other victims. She was a widow, so no husband to worry about."
— Carter Roy [29:31]
Hay meticulously planned Olive's abduction, leveraging their interactions over business proposals to lure her into his workshop in Crawley, where he successfully murdered her on February 18, 1949.
Key Events Leading to Olive's Murder
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Initial Encounter: On February 14, 1949, Olive approached Hay with a business opportunity involving artificial fingernails, sparking Hay's interest in partnering with her.
"Olive invited him to sit down. Olive pulled a small box out of her coat pocket and gave it to him."
— Carter Roy [29:31] -
The Trap: Hay arranged a meeting at his workshop under the pretense of discussing their partnership, a setting he had prepared with barrels of sulfuric acid.
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The Murder: On February 18, Hay abducted Olive, murdered her with a lead pipe, and disposed of her body using acid—a method he had perfected in previous crimes.
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Aftermath: Believing he had successfully concealed Olive's disappearance, Hay began to exploit her assets, unaware that Olive's legacy would soon bring his crimes to light.
Notable Quotes and Insights
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"People's lives are like a story. Beginning, a middle and an end. But you don't always know which part you're on."
— Carter Roy [00:00] -
"John determined that his biggest problem was people. Every time he got caught, it was because someone he'd tried to defraud ratted him out."
— Carter Roy [11:48]
These quotes emphasize the psychological manipulation Hay employed and his evolving motivations from financial gain to eliminating perceived threats permanently.
Conclusion and Teaser for Part Two
As the episode concludes, Carter Roy hints at the impending unraveling of Hay's reign of terror. Olive Durand-Deacon's murder sets the stage for a deeper investigation into how law enforcement eventually brought John George Hay to justice.
"Although it was too late to save Olive, her legacy was about to save many others."
— Carter Roy [29:31]
Listeners are left eager for the next episode, which promises to reveal the detective work that ultimately solves Olive's murder and exposes the full extent of Hay's crimes.
Production Credits
This episode of True Crime Stories was produced and directed by Ron Shapiro, written by Alex Burns, edited by Alex Benedon, fact-checked by Sarah Tardif, with sound design by Russell Nash and production assistance from Sarah Carroll. Executive production was handled by Max Cutler.
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