Murder of Joseph Hedley

80-year-old Joseph Hedley was a master at quilting so much so it was his job and people nicknamed him Joe the Quilter. People claimed he was very welcoming and described as a harmless and inoffensive man.

It was believed that the crime happened on Jan 3, 1826, Joseph was found inside his cottage in Northumberland, England. It had started in his cottage, he was hit upon the head with a coal rake. He was able to get out of his home, but the killer followed behind. The struggle continued across the road from the cottage where the killer continued to beat the old man. The killer then dragged him back to his home where it caused him to lose his shoes and tear his clothes. The killer then began to use a clasp knife on him. His throat was slit and his face mangles. He was still alive when this happened as he had cuts on his hand from the knife.

Having not seen Joseph for a few days neighbors got worried and went to check up on him. What they found was a bloody mess. The room seemed to have been covered in his blood. The killer even wiped his hands and then folded the towel and placed it upon a quilting frame. The cupboards and drawers seemed to have been rummaged through. Money may have been stolen.

It was believed that Joseph knew his killer.

SOURCES:
New Castle Weekly Courant
The Bury and Norwich Post 
Caledonian Mercury 
BBC
Unsolved Murders