Due to the graphic nature of this killers crimes listener discretion is advised. This episode, includes discussions of violence, actual assault and murder that some people may find offensive. We advise exe in caution for children under thirteen show George Hague smiled the back of an english pub and sipped his more low, the dapper thirty five year old but the idea of a young woman who edge toward his table to join him, normally Hague would have loved to chat her up, but that night he brushed her off. He had other matters to attend to after she left Hague waved over a man from the end of the bar. Will you mixed why William grinned and hurried over? He clink tags, glass and the two started celebrating tonight September. Ninth nineteen, forty four was the night William, would disappear Hague,

promised his friend. He knew a place where William could lay low to avoid conscription, some where the government could never find him after William had drunk plenty of wine Hague, let him down to the so called safe house and out of the way basement apartment he owned there. Egg kept his promise. William Miss Swann did disappear, but he wasn't just hiding he it was never coming back I am grateful, since this is a serial killer a forecast original every episode we dive into the minds and madness of serial killers today were exploring the gruesome crimes of John George

egg, also known as the acid bath murderer. I'm here with my co host diminish Sir Richard sing, hi everyone, you can find episodes of serial killers and all other par cast originals for free on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcast, stream. Serial killers for free on Spotify, just open the f and type serial killers in the search bar at forecast were grateful for you or listeners. You I was to do what we love. Let us know how we're doing reach out on Facebook and Instagram at par, cast and twitter at park network John George Hague, murdered at least six people between nineteen, forty, four and nineteen, Forty nine this week will discuss here, hyper religious up, bringing his tenure. The con artist and his plans for what he believed to be the perfect crime next week will discuss hags chaotic killing,

free and the sensational trial that followed his capture, John George Hague was born into turmoil, his father also named John lost, job at an electricity plant. Only a few months before Hague was born in July of nineteen o nine. The financial instability force the family to relocate to a village in West Yorkshire, England, the small community made Hague feel isolated as a boy. These feelings were exacerbated by his sheltered upbringing. He was an only child, but his mother, Emily was thirty years old, when he was born as such Hague mother treated her son as a miracle and treasure Hague was spoiled, but he was cloistered brought up in, intensely religious atmosphere,

John Senior and Emily were members of uneven Angelica protestant branch which strictly followed the word of the Bible. It was an invite. Meant to by harsh rules, Higgs Father demanded, obedience and guarded by instilling a fear of God has child Sean Senior regularly pointed to a tiny scar and his forehead, telling his son that he'd been marked by the devil for sitting worn young Hague not to walk the same path, promising that he would also be permanently disfigured if a step too far but John Senior did much more than threaten his son with eternal damnation he all but forbade Egg, from enjoying anything one of his favour

maxims was it is a sin to be happy in this world and they took that very seriously. Higgs parents focus not on preparing their son for an earthly life, but instead on feeding his eternal soul, he spent hours at church each week and the rest of his time was closely supervised by his. Parents in nineteen. Sixteen seven year old Hague was enrolled in a strict elementary school from there. He moved to a prestige private middle school everywhere he went Hague was expected to excel this overbearing atmosphere made Hague act out. He started lying to his parents at an early age. Their standard, were impossible to meet so the only way Hague had any peace must a height is true feelings. The stress of his deceptions US led to unusual behaviour. Pulling am further off the rigid path his parents had laid out

Hague later claimed. He started drinking his own urine in nineteen. Twenty the same year, he started private school. This could have been the first The creation of eggs penchant for Sado masochism Venus is going to take over the psychology Here and throughout the episode please note, Vanessa is not allowed, psychologists your psychiatrist, but she has done a lot of research for the show, thanks Gregg, though it's possible that Hague located the story. It could be. I'd some insight into his early development. According to psychology, Doktor Mark Griffiths consumption of urine or Euro Aphasia here's to be most likely associated with Saito masochism. Griffiths pointed out that people who are fascinated or titillated by urine, don't currently have any mental illness or disturbing tendencies, but cause you're in is often associated with humiliation. Those who perform your aphasia

maybe more likely to associate pain and embarrassment with sexual gratification. It wasn t only bodily fluid that dominated Hague thoughts. He was also racked by bloody dreams- ass, a child. Unsurprisingly, most of these involved crucified Jesus Christ claims to be plagued by one nightmare in particular, in which he found himself law in a forest of crucifixes he wandered the cross is gradually turned to trees and bid, rain began to pour as Hague explored the forest. The rain trickled down from the canopy unto his head. He realised with horror, but it wasn't water falling from the sky aye but blood. Then the trees began to whip to and fro as if they were caught in a site. Clone There was no wind blood. Whose, from their bark Hague tried

scream, but found that he had no voice like the trees. He, he was rooted in place ass. He watched paralyzed by fear a strange man emerged from the wood holding a cub. He filled the glass with blood from the trees that approached tag and urge the child drink nightmares like this one showcased away, Higgs Religion, both terrified him and dominated his thoughts every Sunday he took communion at church and was told them he drank was the blood of Christ. It seems likely that the prospect terrified the young boy. At the same time, it inextricably connected blood with the concept of odds love in his mind, the because Hey grew up in such a controlling environment. It's likely that for

him religion, pain and love Brown, closely intertwined, he certainly loved his father, but was also terrified of getting on the man's bad side, and he definitely didn't feel able to confesses deepest feelings to his parents, but with time he grew adept at keeping his nightmares and innermost thoughts to himself Ten years his teachers described him as mischievous lying living a sinless life was a necessity at home and soon he found he could fool just about any one. He may be part of the licence comforting. After all, it sometimes seem to Hague that his parents care more about keeping up appearances actual morality for years they drove into him the importance of cleanliness and maintaining an immaculate appearance. They love that he sang in the church choir and that friends and neighbors saw him as a God, fearing young man hecuba

we realise that, as long as he appeared to be a clean cut, church boy, people would treat him as such? He took pains to always look is best hoping to make up in style and personal hygiene what he lacked. Reality he continued this act throughout his school days, then in nice in twenty six at the age of seventeen, he graduated and began training as a mechanic. He hated it. He was were concerned, with appearing to do work than actually performing manual labor in no time Hague abandoned his training and took a job and insurance sales. His well kept appearance and penchant for fast talking made him a natural. He excelled at the company and worked his way up the corporate ladder in nineteen thirty twenty one year. Old Hague was successful enough to earn a broker job at a loss your company, let go. Was doing well. Hague wasn't satisfied at one point: he scored a contract

ensuring an enormous construction project in Africa. The commission was massive and wedded Hague appetite for luxury. However, he didn't just want the money. Much like is superficial, appearance of good character, Hague, Creed, the benefits of working, without putting in any effort after some consideration Hague design. Did the most logical way for him to get more money while doing less work was to simply steal it. He began taking money from the cash box at work. He start slowly at first, but ass time went on. He grew bolder his boss. Actually noticed the money was missing. Hague was quite reckless enough to be caught red handed, But everyone at the insurance agency knew he was the culprit. He was fired. The embarrassment irritated him, but he decided he was better off by himself after growing up in such a controlling environment, Hague, scented having a boss at all. He felt he was ready to take charge.

On his own unfounded and fertilizing company called northern electric newspapers. If unclear how successful the company was, but Hague didn't. I of money to live on his own while attempting to get the enterprise off the ground. He continued to stay at his parents house and attend to regular church services for the next few years Despite the demands of running a business and the constraints of living with his parents, Hague dated actively his magic and handsome. He found him in high demand, but the only oh, who held his interest, was twenty one year old, Beatrice hammer with wavy hair bright smile and headstrong attitude. Beatrice was more than a match for Higgs Wit. The couple dated for several months before deciding to take the next in July of nineteen thirty four twenty five year old Hague met we'd be address and the two of them moved into a house together for the future,

time ever Hague was free of mother and father eggs, parents hope their son settle down and live a quiet christian life as they had, but they were sorely disappointed. The moment he moved out Hague stop going to church altogether to his parents. That meant that the sun had chosen hell over eternal salvation, I didn't know the half of it now that Hague had a new home and a wife to care for his knee for money was more urgent than ever before and he was willing to do whatever it talk to get it

up next Hague crosses the lying from petty thief into full blown con man through the hustle and bustle and stresses of life. I need the paths to positivity has never been more crucial at the more fulfilled. You feel the more grounded you become well Parkhurst as a wonderful new series deck and help you in this quest. It's called daily quote, and it's a quick two to three minutes: Dingley Podcast for you to get inspired by every day on daily quote you'll be given a quote, meant to motivate uplift and renew your outlook on life. You also died deeper into the context surrounding the coat nothing more about its origin in the meaning behind it. There have already been so many inspirational quotes featured so far, but hands down. My favorite has been by singer, songwriter Leonard Cohen, so whether you jump

darting the morning. Searching for that midday pick me up or trying to finish the evening off strong Dingley quote: offer some of histories most inspirational quotes whenever you need them. Three hundred sixty five days a year followed daily quote free on Spotify or where ever you get. Your pot casts now back to the story, outwardly John George Hague appeared to be a man with a bright future in nice. In thirty four, the twenty five year old moved out of his parents, home with his new wife, Beatrice to make a life for himself. But what Beatrice didn't know was that for Hague, the best kind of life was one where he worked, the least look out for a quick money. Making venture Hague stumbled across an article in the newspaper about a car thief. The man had recently been arrested for cunning dealership out of a fleet of vehicles,

The report gave Hagen idea for his own scam. He combed through the phone book and forge doc and using the random names inside then he approach two struggling auto shop and use that arguments to purchase vehicles on credit in other people's names. He made a couple of payments in the car so that the shop believed real people other than Hague on the vehicles. Then Hague turned around and resold them for a huge profit. The auto shop still expected regular payments from the fake names Hagen used by the cars, but once a week, goals were resold. The payments stopped coming and it was nearly impossible to track them down over the course several months. He made thousands through this scam, but he couldn't keep it up forever and eventually, the Griff too was traced back to in November of nineteen thirty four Hague was rested for fraud and sentenced

Fifteen months in prison for conservation horrified, his parents and his wife Hague wrote them from prison begging for their forget Listen swearing to changes, ways. One seed served his time. It was a hollow promise. And though the lie soothed his parents, Hague, couldn't mince his wife tat. He would change. They'd been met in less than six months when Hague was convicted and beauty soon learned she was pregnant. She decided to cut her losses after birth. She gave the baby up for adoption and fight for divorce now Single Hague, released from prison December of nineteen thirty five. Once again, he returned to his parents home and play the part of the God. Cheering son. He made a show of changing its ways returning to church and settling back into life. Under his father's thumb, his parents were so pleased

even loaned Hague the money to found a dry cleaning business which he started the help of an experienced partner at first like the investment, would pay off in spades with his tail four salesmanship, the little shop got off was strong start, but though Hague was the one bringing in the clients his associate had supplied most of the backing money, which became a problem in nineteen thirty six, when Higgs partner was struck by a car and died without his partner Hague struggled to maintain cash flow and had to sell off his assets, the ins, convinced him once and for all that there was no. Justice in the world. He made an effort to FF and legitimate success but had been punished for it had left his parents house after the failure and move to did vetoing. He'd no longer follow the rules. He wasn't going. Let the law getting his way ever again, in the big city, Hake stocks,

dreaming up his next scam, too against meat. In the meantime, he started working as a secretary and chauffeur for the MIC swans a wealthy local family like most people, the MIC Swans found Hague to be a delight, no doubt hoping to make powerful connections. Twenty seven year old hag became good friends with his boss. A son William, who was around the same age, but almost as soon as his friendship with William Miss Swann began Hague quit his job as their chauffeur. He made sure did been touch with the MIC swans, but how He was in search of bigger fish to fry this time he came up with a scheme to defraud investors. First, he set up a fake legal office using the name of a real firm with an established reputation through the phone the office he sought out clients who wanted to invest in local companies using the names of real businesses, Hague, forged stock certificates and legal paperwork that made

look like he was selling genuine shares in major companies to make the deal too good to resist. He advertise the stock at below market value in designing the scheme. Hey grow I'd on several tricks commonly employed by con artists, doktor, frank style. Gino pewter security expert, analyzed a series of successful scams and fell that many manipulated human psychology in the same fundamental ways. Many key and rely on exploiting the desperation of their targets actors. Diana wrote what matters most is not necessarily the marks greed but his or her purse. No situation if the Work is on the verge of bankruptcy, needs a medical operation or is otherwise in dire straits. The off A solution is very hard to question in such case

Is the mark is not greedy, just depressed and hopeful in eggs case, he managed to court many investors by taking advantage of the strange economic climate in nineteen. Thirty six England was still suffering from the effects of the great depression. Many people's struggle to make ends meet and were desperate to climb out of debt. Unfortunately, for them Trusting Hague only put them deeper in the whole, but hate didn't just capitalize on the financial anxiety of his victims. He piled on the a sure by giving his targets what doctors, Diana terms. The time principle egg made his marks believed that the generous terms of his investment were in high demand and that prices Couldn't stay low forever, does first describes this concept. Further. Writing in many. Scams. The mark is made to believe that he or she must act quickly or lose the opportunity when cod in such a trap, it's very difficult, for

people to stop and assess the situation properly. In no time, Hake attracted a cavalcade of eager investors. He took their money, gave them fake shares in return and shuddered ass. If it soon afterward the scheme was incredibly lucrative, which encourage takes run the con again and again, but eventually he got lazy. He would to the exact same scam so many times in a row that authority Finally, cod on in late nineteen, thirty seven in November that year, twenty eight year old hag was arrested by that time, he'd milked over three thousand pounds from its marks, the equivalent of around two hundred forty three balls. In U S dollars today, the court didn't treat. Hang Sir and offences gently as they had his first. He was no longer a down on his luck. Man who turned to scamming to support his new wife. Now he was a sufficient

aided career con man and though he did his best to charm the judge his sentence was Far from lenient, he was to serve for years of hard time. The judgment surprise take who'd been on top of the world for the past year. He assumed he could talk as a way out of anything after all, he'd separated dozens of people from their life savings but ultimately, Hague took his sentence in stride. Other inmates describe tat is a big talker who showed no. Signs of remorse for his crimes: instead, he bragged about how he sweet talked rich, older ladys into trusting him. He had eyes, his less experienced prisoners to think big and to eke out every time they could from their marks despite being in cordial and the confidence of his fellow criminals. Hague maintained a polite face to the prison authorities He hoped to get out early on good behaviour and was helped along

by the outbreak of world war, two in nineteen, thirty, nine, desperate, conserve resources for war time, England became more willing to release prisoners early, he was led out a year in advance in August of nineteen, forty at the age of thirty one. He found his country in desperate times. Young, men were being marched off to war and the families left behind we're struggling to make ends meet or a con man without a conscience. It was a golden opportunity, but hate me that every good scheme began with a foundation of trust to earn the respect of his neighbors heat his way into a job as a fireman in the local community over the next few months, Hague plated straight searching for his next big score. But by June of nineteen forty one, he still didn't have many ideas, even so, he wasn't about to commit to an honest living. He was

arrested again that summer, this time, for breaking and entering and sent back to jail. Locked up for the third time. Hague had plenty of opportunity. To come up with a new scam. During the day. The thirty two year old spent much of his time working at the prison tin shop. Being things out of soft metal during downtime. He spent countless hours in his cell staring at the wheel and imagining new ways to get rich Hague design did. He didn't need to wait to be released to start making money along with it you other inmates who helped sort and deliver the mail. He began holding letters hostage for, while the crew successfully extorted their fellow prisoners by charging them an extra feed to receive their male. Unfortunately, for Hague, prison authorities eventually caught winter, the swindle, and broke it up even got a few extra months added to a sentence for his role in the operation

just another example of his inability to think long term. He absurd over a new get rich quick scheme practically every week, but never to imagine how he could get away with his plans beyond the fur a few days. Eggs failure infuriated him. He he was smarter than the guards and the warden and the fact that a cot onto a scheme was aggravating Hague resolved at that It's time you try to scam someone. He would come up with something the longer you spent dreaming up new criminal plans. The darker Hague starts, became He realized that his previous operations had one major problem One was always left around afterward to realise what Hague had done. That's what had required him to move offices often when he was selling imaginary stock. Eventually he'd hoodwinked, someone who was smart enough to track him down,

but if there was no one left to squeal after the scam Hague mused, he could pull off the perfect crime. If he could get rid of some one permanently, he'd be freed a right checks in their name, Sir their assets and during their bank accounts with no one. The wiser the more he thought the more sure Hague became that his next plan would valve murder, Hague learn plenty about killing from other inmates. It seemed to him that nine times out of ten. They were caught because they left evidence behind for police He believed that if he could come up with a way to destroy his victims, bodies he'd be untouchable, no body no crime. After all, here talk his way out of anything if the Socrates had no hard evidence to tie him to the crime. He was confident

there was no way he could be arrested. Hague obsessed over the idea for months. Then one day ass, he was mixing chemicals for the present tense Psmith. He figured out what he needed. Sulfuric ass it. If he could dissolve the corpses, then his problems would likewise disappear. The only thing left to do was test out his hypothesis to do this. Hague devised an experiment, the operative a few of the inmates who worked outside for any mice they could find out in the fields one had any idea why Hague wanted so many mice, but of prison had taught them anything. It was not to ask too many questions in no time Hague had a horde of squirming test subjects he smuggled, chemicals into his cell and dangled the field mice their tails over glow, jars of acid

smile. Does he watched the mice, tried a riddle free from his grasp? He enjoyed watching them suffer and imagined what it might be like to watch a human doing. The same Hague carried out his gruesome tests under the cover of darkness. He found that, after about half an hour, the mice complete, Lee dissolved in the acid leaving behind a rank black sludge. He grinned, as he stirred the revolting substance. Everything was in place as soon as he was out of prison, he'd be rich, successful, and unstoppable. All he had to do now was way when we return Hague, Tis murderous plans into ocean now back to the story, You're being released from prison in nineteen forty three thirty four year old

wish. Come man, John George Hague was determined never to go back. He spent the previous two years. Planning the perfect crime and involve making people disappear without trace, but before Hague could set the wheels in motion. He had to get back on its feet to do he returned to his most reliable marks. His trained parents. For years, the elder hags had been ashamed of their sons, illegal activities. After raising him in a strict religious household, they were shocked and embarrassed to see Hague devote himself stealing from the vulnerable just like he done before. Hague, begged his pen, forgiveness. He insisted that their Christian face demanded they give him another chance. He promise he'd been reading his Bible in jail and that he'd find seeing the light all of pigs

relied on getting others to trust him when they shouldn't have his ploys, often worked by taking advantage of people's inherent psychological desire to trust and of all people. His parents desperately wanted to trust that they raise their son upright. According to a study by swiss and american psychologists, people often want to put their in others research. They found the trusting another person causes. The brain to release the chemical oxytocin, which causes pleasure the practical purpose chemical response, maybe to encourage humans to connect and interact with one another, but it also make this vulnerable to being duped, though it might have been a tough sell. The real product of pigs, austere, religious upbringing, was that he spent years learning exactly what he needed to say to window his parents, so in September of nineteen forty three Hague move I can, with his mother and father by October, he'd milked his parents.

All they were willing to give. He like we borrowed money from them yet again before going back to London, and am working on his most dangerous enterprise, yet eggs. First order of business and the city was to secure a base of operations. He rented a small apartment for himself and took a job as a sale. Men to re some money. He was as smooth as ever and within weeks had earned enough on commission to rent a basement room in addition to his apartment. Strategically he chose a sick did spot in a completely different part of the city from his main flat, then Hague set to work renovating the basement. He installed a wooden workbench and bought a forty gallon dry, next using the skills heat hound, conning people for years posed. As a scientist and engineer in order to buy Corrosive acid over the coup so the next year he ordered the

acid, in small quantities until he had enough to dissolve a human corpse, no feeling fully prepared to dispose of a body all Hague needed was his first victim and he had the perfect one in mind in August of nineteen. Forty four sir five year old, hag prowled around a pub called the goat had been years since he had last seen his target, but he felt confident that the man would still be frequenting the same bar. Eventually he found exactly who he was looking for, William Mixed Swan. Eight years earlier, Hague had worked as a chauffeur, firm, swans, wealthy Father now Hague sought to reignite their friendship, all for the sake of stealing from a man who had been nothing but kind to him. His ploy worked after accidentally running into William one night. The goat hang spend as much time with him as possible to

weeks later, the pair were as close as they ever were, William even confided in egg. He told his old friend, but he was worried about being drafted into world war too. He was afraid of going to combat and was desperate to dodge the draft He practically begged Hague to help him disappear. Hague, never told him about his criminal passed but imply. He had connections that would allow William to lie low until the end of the war. In the meantime, Hague promised he would oversee Williams finances and take custody of his check book. He was the kind of scenario he'd fantasy, about four years, just like his previous cons, hangs without a trusting mark in a desperate situation Thanks to the war, he did even need to employ the time principle on William. His work was

already done for him by the next month. Arrangements were made. Will he made sure his parents knew he would be in hiding for an indeterminate amount of time and told them not to expect it from him for a while. It was an alibi better than Hague could ever have dreamed of on the night of September, ninth one thousand nine hundred and forty four William swan followed Hague to his rented basement room. He took tour around the strange workshop pulse, the Bali wondering why Hague had rented out such a shady place, but ultimately he didn't ask too many questions. He trusted his friend and was grateful for his help as they waited for Higgs, imaginary contact to whisk, William to freedom. William, looked over at Hags Workbench Hague Watch does William bent over two eggs

in one of his tools it was the opportunity he been waiting for without warning Hague lunged at Williams back and hit him three times with a heavy blunt object, William crumpled, to the floor. Dad it had, all gone exactly as Hague had imagined. Even so, he trembled for em when standing over the corpse of his friend this was his first ever violent crime and the adrenaline Meda. Anxious after a moment. He calmed down enough to dig through Williams pockets. He stole his friends, wallet and watch then probably reeling from the experience, but still in the mood to celebrate Hague went down street for a drink Two thirty in the morning Hague, hurried back to the basement ass. He looked down at the body of his friend for a second time. Hague no longer felt anxious. Instead, he felt a surge of

our and anticipation. The feeling of exhilaration mingled, with fear reminded him give the nightmares that pleased him as a child. He recalled the forest of crucifixes, the mysterious man from his dreams and the cup full of blood. At this point, Hague Clay He used a knife to make a small caught in the back and Williams neck. Then just like in his dream. He filled a cupful of his friends blood with an evil smile. He down, at all. It's impossible to know if this really occurred as Hague described it in all we heard it was a fabrication as in later years, Hague was no to embellish stories for the sake of his reputation. Whether or not Rank Williams, blood Hague. Next carried his friends body to the forty gallon drum and hoisted it inside, then he steadily poured sulphuric acid over the body,

yielded up, afterward Hague waited in the sparse basement overnight for the body to disintegrate. He could hardly sleep from the excitement and beer. Himself by pacing around the workshop planning. His next steps when he'll, the drop in the morning it was Phil with the same disgusting sludge he'd seen after setting the acid on mice years earlier, trying not to wretch from the Smell Hague carefully poured the sludge down the drain in the center of the room when it was done. He sat back and smiled he'd. Finally done it, he was about to be very rich and all it had taken was a touch

of murder thanks again for turning into serial killers in part. Two will explore the height of the acid bath murderers, killing spray for more information on John George Hague. Amongst the many sources we used, we found the book friend, see by Neil Route, extremely helpful to our research. You can find more episodes of serial killers and all other Parkhurst original is for free on Spotify, not only. Spotify already have all of your favorite music, but now defines making it easy for you to enjoy all of your favorite part cast originals like serial killers for free from your phone desktop or smart speaker to stream serial killers.

Spotify just open the app and type serial killers in the search bar and don't forget to put all of us on Facebook and Instagram at par, cast and twitter at park. Ass network will see you next time have a killer week. Serial killers was created by MAX Cutler and it's a Parker studios. Original executive producers include MAX and Enron Cutler. Designed by Russell Ass with production, assistance by IRAN, Shapiro Carly, Madden and Freddy Beckley this episode of serial killers was written by terror, whereas with writing assistance by Abigail Cannon and stars, Gregg, pulsing and Vanessa. Richard sing.