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Timothy EvansWelshman wrongly convicted
Date of Birth: 20.11.1924
Country:  Great Britain |
Biography of Timothy John Evans
Early Life and Education
Timothy John Evans was born in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales. His father left the family shortly after his birth, and his mother remarried and had two more daughters. Evans struggled with his education, particularly reading, and also dealt with a troublesome case of tuberculosis on his leg, which affected his attendance at school. Despite his efforts, Evans never fully mastered literacy and could only write his own name.
Personal Characteristics and Early Adulthood
From a young age, Evans displayed aggressive behavior, a tendency towards tantrums, and a habit of lying. In 1935, his mother and stepfather moved to London, and Evans worked briefly as a painter and decorator before returning to Merthyr Tydfil. His attempt to find employment in the local mines was unsuccessful due to his problematic leg. In 1939, Evans returned to London.
Marriage and Life in Rillington Place
On September 20, 1947, Evans married Beryl Susanna Thorley. They initially lived with Evans' family until Beryl became pregnant in 1948, prompting the couple to find their own place. They moved into an apartment on the top floor of 10 Rillington Place, with John Christie and his wife Ethel living on the ground floor. Unbeknownst to the Evanses, their new neighbor Christie had already taken the lives of two women.
Accusations and Murders
On October 10, 1948, Timothy and Beryl welcomed their daughter Geraldine. Their relationship was tumultuous, marked by frequent arguments and physical altercations. In late 1949, Beryl informed Timothy that she was pregnant again, leading to a decision to terminate the pregnancy. After Beryl's death during the procedure, Evans confessed to the police that he had killed her and concealed her body in a drainpipe. However, his initial statement did not match the evidence found by detectives, raising suspicions.
Discovery and Trial
Further investigations by the police uncovered Beryl's and Geraldine's bodies, revealing that they had been strangled. Evans later admitted to the murders, claiming he was unaware of his daughter's death until that point. It was suggested that Evans may have inadvertently incriminated himself due to emotional strain and his overall mental instability. During the trial on January 11, 1950, Evans recanted his previous statements and accused his neighbor, John Christie, of the crimes. Despite presenting evidence of Christie's criminal history, the jury did not believe Evans' defense. Based on the available evidence, Evans was found guilty and sentenced to death on March 9, 1950.
Christie's Arrest and Evans' Posthumous Exoneration
Three years later, a new tenant named Beresford Brown moved into Christie's former apartment at Rillington Place. Brown discovered the remains of three women, including Ethel Christie, John's wife. Subsequent investigations led to the discovery of three more bodies. In his confessions, Christie admitted to murdering Beryl Evans but never took responsibility for Geraldine's death. Christie was arrested on March 31, 1953, and later executed on July 15, 1954. Despite Christie's admissions, Evans' official exoneration only came after public pressure and national attention forced the judiciary to re-evaluate the case.
