Archibald Hall British murderer and thief Date of Birth: 17.06.1924 Country: Great Britain

1. Biography of Archibald Hall
2. A Criminal Mind
3. The Monster Butler
4. A Deadly Partnership
5. The Capture and Conviction
6. Death and Legacy

Biography of Archibald Hall

Archibald Hall, also known as Killer Butler or Monster Butler, was a British serial killer and thief. He was born in 1924 and got involved in theft at the age of 15. Soon, Archibald started committing burglaries and robberies. After realizing his homosexuality, he moved to London, where he established connections and began living off his criminal activities. However, he was eventually caught and imprisoned for selling stolen jewels in Scotland.

A Criminal Mind

Archibald Hall was not an unintelligent man. He approached his crimes with artistry and a deep understanding of human psychology. He studied the behavior of aristocrats, worked on his accent, developed sophistication in his manners and etiquette, and gained knowledge in antiques. He had the ability to charm people and gain their trust, which he later used for his cruel crimes.

The Monster Butler

Upon his release from prison, Hall changed his name to Roy Fontaine. He later married and divorced. In 1975, he returned to Scotland and became a butler for Margaret Hudson, a widowed aristocrat living in Kirtleton House, Dumfriesshire. Initially, his plan was to steal jewels from the widow, but he became attached to the house, the owner, and his work, preventing him from carrying out his original intentions.

A Deadly Partnership

During his time working for Margaret Hudson, Hall's criminal past almost became known to her when a former prison acquaintance named David Wright tried to extort valuables from Hall in exchange for his silence. In an attempt to compromise, Hall took Wright on a hunting trip, but instead, he killed him in the woods and buried him nearby. Shortly after, to the great disappointment of Mrs. Hudson, Roy resigned and returned to London to continue his criminal activities.

In London, Roy became the butler for Walter Scott-Elliot, a wealthy former Member of Parliament, and his wife Dorothy. Roy's plan was initially to rob the couple and then leave, but things took a different turn. He ended up killing both of them, with the help of his accomplice Michael Kitto.

The Capture and Conviction

While driving with the victims' bodies in the trunk, Hall and Kitto were caught. Due to the suspicious behavior of constantly going back and forth to the car, the hotel staff grew suspicious and called the police. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the police discovered the bodies. Although they managed to escape initially, the criminals were soon apprehended and brought to justice.

Archibald Hall attempted suicide while in custody but was unsuccessful. He eventually revealed the burial locations of his victims. He was found guilty in both London and Edinburgh and sentenced to life imprisonment. The Scottish court allowed for possible parole after 15 years, while the English court ruled out any chance of early release. Hall later wrote and published his autobiography titled 'A Perfect Gentleman.' He made multiple unsuccessful suicide attempts and even wrote to newspapers and authorities, pleading to be allowed to die.

Death and Legacy

Archibald Hall lived until the age of 78 and died from a stroke while in prison on September 16, 2002. At the time of his death, he was one of the oldest prisoners in British jails. His story attracted the attention of Hollywood figures such as actor Malcolm McDowell and screenwriter Peter Bellwood. In 2005, they expressed their interest in making a film based on Archibald Hall's life.