Ada Chard Williams

Ada Williams was convicted of the murder of 21-month-old Selina Ellen Jones and sentenced to death.

She battered and strangled her at Grove Road, Barnes, London and then threw her into the River Thames around 23 September, 1899.

However, her case was controversial as there was nothing in the evidence to indicate whether it was her that had murdered the child or her husband. As a result, her execution was deferred until further consideration into her husband’s role in the murder could be made. However, nothing further came to light and Ada Williams was executed on 6 March 1900.

Selina Jones's mother had read an advert in a newspaper offering homes for unwanted children and she took Selina Jones to the home where she paid £3, the full cost being £5. When she went back later with the remaining £2 she found that neither Ada Williams nor Selina Jones were there. The woman went to the police but they could not do anything because there was no body.