Scammed to Death: Acid Baths and Estate Fraud Pt. 1
Podcast: Scams, Money, & Murder
Host: Carter Roy & Vanessa Richardson
Episode Air Date: October 23, 2025
Episode Overview
The first of a two-part series delving into the chilling crimes of John George Haigh, infamous as "The Acid Bath Killer." This episode lays out Haigh’s background, his manipulation of social circles, and the lead-up to the murder of Olive Durand Deacon—Haigh’s last victim. The hosts unspool the story through Haigh’s psychological evolution, his growing appetite for fraud, and the deadly escalation to a spree of murders driven by greed.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
The Art of Deception and First Impressions
- Theme: The show opens by discussing the power of charm in establishing trust, setting the stage for how Haigh exploited perceptions to ensnare his victims.
- Quote: "If you find them charming and likable, you’re much more inclined to trust them. Believe what they say, take their word for truth without question. That’s what serial killer John George Haigh relied on to lure in his victims." (00:41, Narrator)
Meet Olive Durand Deacon
- Backstory: Olive, the wealthy widow and suffragette, chose life at London’s prestigious Onslow Court Hotel.
- Character: Once a rebellious suffragette, known for her activism—including throwing a brick through a window—Olive now spent her days enjoying the company of other well-off residents.
- Haigh’s First Impression: Olive is both wary and intrigued by Haigh’s rough edges in an otherwise genteel environment but regards him as interesting—“the highest compliment she could give.” (07:15)
John Haigh’s Upbringing and Early Criminality ([05:07]–[13:38])
- Religious Roots: Raised by intensely puritanical parents in the Plymouth Brethren sect, Haigh’s childhood was characterized by fear and strict isolation.
- Quote: "With such a paranoid father, John’s childhood was defined by fear. Fear about sinning, fear about not fitting in, fear about not reaching heaven." (07:38, Narrator)
- Early Deception: His move from small lies to elaborate ruses at school marks the genesis of Haigh’s manipulative streak.
- Escalation: His adult life consists of failed attempts at honest work, soon supplanted by theft, forgery, and more complex scams—culminating in his first jail sentence for car fraud.
From Petty Cons to Murder ([13:38]–[23:22])
- Chauffeur and Con Artist: After moving to London, Haigh is hired by William "Mac" McSwan, signaling a pivotal relationship.
- Their bond: social outings, shared work—Mac grows to trust Haigh ("his new hire was charming and fun too," 13:57).
- Lessons in Murder: Imprisoned again, Haigh becomes fascinated by the case of Georges Alexandre Sarret, who used sulfuric acid to destroy evidence of his murders.
- Experimentation: Haigh tests the acid’s effectiveness on mice in prison, methodically planning for future crimes.
- Key Insight: This period was fundamental in catalyzing the transition from fraud to murder as a means to "solve" the reliability problem of accomplices and witnesses.
The Acid Bath Murders Unfold ([23:22]–[31:56])
- The First Victim:
- In 1944, Haigh lures Mac to his workshop, kills him, and dissolves the body in acid.
- Cover-up: Fabricates stories and even forges postcards to convince Mac’s parents of his safety.
- Quote: "John even sent Mac’s parents fake postcards from Scotland, pretending to be their son. That was enough proof for Donald and Amy McSwan." (24:43)
- Eliminating Loose Ends: Realizing that Mac’s absence will be scrutinized, Haigh murders both of Mac’s parents using the same modus operandi.
- Profits: Haigh forges legal documents, seizes their properties, and spends lavishly—yet quickly burns through his ill-gotten gains.
Rising Stakes, Growing Greed
- Henderson Murders: When funds dry up, Haigh targets another wealthy couple, Dr. Archibald and Rose Henderson, employing his now-rehearsed technique: lure, kill, dissolve, and defraud.
- Cycle of Violence: Each windfall renews Haigh’s appetite, but his gambling addiction ensures his financial ruin recurs—necessitating new victims.
The Target: Olive Durand Deacon ([31:56]–[33:44])
- Predatory Calculus: Haigh is drawn to Olive’s visibly affluent lifestyle at the Onslow Court Hotel.
- Opportunity: Olive approaches him about a potential business venture (acrylic nails), inadvertently setting the stage for her own victimization.
- Quote: "She pulled a small box out of her coat pocket and gave it to him. Inside there were artificial fingernails made of plastic. Olive explained... and she wondered if there might be a business opportunity there." (32:20, Narrator)
- The Fatal Meeting: Haigh invites Olive to his workshop under the pretense of furthering her idea, intending from the outset to kill her and take her fortune.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Haigh’s Strategy:
"Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer. It's not just a saying, it's a means of survival."
—Carter Roy (02:01) -
Haigh’s Childhood Marked by Fear:
"John Hayes Sr. believed the outside world was evil and full of sin. He would do anything to protect his family... built a ten-foot fence around their property to keep everyone else out and to keep his wife and young son in."
—Narrator (07:24) -
On the Transition to Murder:
"Every time he got caught, it was because someone he tried to defraud ratted him out. If John could just find a way to get rid of them, the problem would be solved. It seems like that’s when John started to think about murder."
—Narrator (16:00) -
On Covering His Crimes:
"John even sent Mac’s parents fake postcards from Scotland, pretending to be their son."
—Narrator (24:43) -
Final Victim’s Irony:
"He had no idea that his horrific killing spree was about to come to an end. And although it was too late to save Olive, her legacy was about to save many others."
—Narrator (34:37)
Segment Timestamps
- Intro & Theme Framing: 00:41–03:42
- Olive’s Background & Haigh’s Early Life: 05:07–13:08
- Haigh’s Fraudulent Early Crimes & First Marriage: 13:38–16:15
- Chauffeur, Cons, and Fascination with Acid Disposal: 16:15–23:22
- The McSwan Murders: 23:22–27:07
- Henderson Murders: 27:07–31:56
- Targeting Olive Durand Deacon: 31:56–33:44
- Tease for Part Two: 33:44–34:42
Tone & Style
The episode is atmospheric, gripping, and detailed—layered storytelling that maintains a respectful seriousness for the victims while delving unflinchingly into Haigh’s warped psychology. The hosts employ a blend of dramatic narration and conversational clarity, with evocative language and judicious use of quotations.
Closing
Part One ends just as Olive meets her fate, with the hosts promising the dramatic unraveling of Haigh’s scheme, his eventual downfall, and the investigation that brought his crimes to light in the forthcoming Part Two.
For listeners fascinated by the intersection of manipulation, murder, and greed, this episode provides a thorough and methodical account of one of Britain’s most notorious serial killers while anchoring the narrative in a shocking true crime context.