Burke And Hare: 8 Facts About The Bodysnatchers Who Weren't

In 1828, there were another set of lodgers staying in the house. One was an Irish woman named Margaret who would become their final victim. The others were a couple name Anne and James Gray. The couple were an obvious obstacle to the planned murder so they were sent off to stay elsewhere for the night.

After the deed had been done, the body was stored under a bed in the spare room in preparation for transport and sale to Knox. Anne and James returned to collect some belongings and became suspicious when they were not granted entry into the room where they had left them. When they enquired about Margaret's whereabouts, they were told she had been asked to leave.

Once they had been left alone, the couple searched the bed and found the remains still there. Despite an offer of a £10 a week bribe (over £1000), they went to the police. By the time the police arrived, the body had been sold to Knox by Burke and Hare.

However, the police found bloodstained clothing and once taken to Knox's residence, the Gray's identified Margaret from the cadavers that had been stored for study.

Burke, Hare and their partners were arrested. As mentioned previously, Knox not being prosecuted was met with huge uproar, but it has to be questioned whether a man who knew he was dissecting murder victims would allow the authorities access to his bodies.