From the Guardian · · 1m 50s
Baby found in 1910 newspaper was strangled, inquest rules
A skeleton discovered under floorboards in County Durham was unlawfully killed over a century ago, but the killer remains unknown.
In brief
A skeleton discovered under floorboards in County Durham was unlawfully killed over a century ago, but the killer remains unknown. A baby boy found wrapped in a 1910 newspaper with twine around his neck was ruled unlawfully killed, though the identity of the killer and exact circumstances may never be known…
Baby found under floorboards
Skeletal remains of an infant were discovered during home renovations in Bishop Auckland, County Durham on July 29, 2024. The baby was wrapped in a newspaper dated June 1910.
Twine looped around neck
A Home Office pathologist found twine looped three times around the baby's neck and knotted. The infant was full-term, around 38 to 40 weeks old, with no other signs of injury.
Coroner rules unlawful killing
Coroner Crispin Oliver concluded the baby was garotted by an unknown person. He called it an unusual case legally and evidentially, and described what happened as a terrible thing.
“Clearly, this was a terrible thing that happened to a defenceless infant.”
Carbon dating inconclusive
Testing could only establish the baby died between the 17th century and 1955. The skeleton was mostly complete but too old to confirm natural disease or soft tissue trauma.
Police investigation yields nothing
Detectives used DNA testing, public appeals, and other techniques over two years but found no leads. Two sisters came forward thinking they were related, but DNA testing ruled them out.
“There had been very little to go on.”
House was a cafe in 1911
Census records show the building was described as dining rooms in 1911, suggesting it operated as a cafe-type establishment. This context offers no clear explanation for how the baby came to be there.
Baby laid to rest with dignity
Baby Auckland was buried at Bishop Auckland cemetery in April 2025 after over a century hidden beneath floorboards. Professionals involved in the investigation gave their services for free.
The short version
A baby boy found wrapped in a 1910 newspaper with twine around his neck was ruled unlawfully killed, though the identity of the killer and exact circumstances may never be known.
