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Key Details
Victim: Charles Bravo (aged 31)
Perpetrator (alleged): Unconfirmed – but prime suspects include:
Florence Bravo (wife, aged 31)
Jane Cox (housekeeper, approx mid-40s)
Dr James Gully (former lover, aged 68)
George Griffiths (former coachman, age unknown)
Offence: Murder by poison (antimony)
Location: The Priory, Tooting Bec Common
Date: 18 April 1876 (Bravo dies on 21 April 1876)
Key Facts
Charles Bravo, a young barrister with big ambitions but little financial success, marries wealthy widow Florence in 1875.
Florence, having suffered through an abusive first marriage and a scandalous affair with a much older doctor (James Gully), refuses to hand over control of her fortune to Charles – setting the stage for a very tense marriage.
Their marriage is marred by Charles’ controlling behaviour, paranoia, and emotional abuse. Florence miscarries twice in the early months of the marriage, possibly due to stress or even slow poisoning.
Charles is believed to have been secretly dosing Florence with antimony to keep her weak and reliant on him. This theory comes back to bite him.
On the night of 18 April 1876, after dinner with Florence and housekeeper Jane Cox, Charles falls violently ill. He suffers three agonising days of vomiting, convulsions and organ failure before dying.
Antimony, a poison used in horse treatment and sometimes medicine, is found in his system. The amount suggests deliberate poisoning rather than accident.
Charles never accuses anyone, despite being conscious and lucid for days. Bit of a red flag if you ask us.
The first inquest is a mess – held in the house, no one’s really grilled, verdict is “dunno, basically.”
The second inquest becomes a national obsession. Florence is grilled for three days, mostly about her sex life and drinking, not the murder itself.
Four main theories emerge:
Florence did it – to escape her abusive marriage.
Jane Cox did it – loyal to Florence and possibly seeking revenge or protection.
Dr Gully did it – as revenge for being cast aside.
George Griffiths (ex-coachman) – who once said Bravo “won’t last four months” after being sacked.
Despite all the drama, the official verdict is willful murder by person(s) unknown. No one is ever charged.
Florence flees to Southsea and dies of alcohol poisoning two years later, aged 33. Her funeral is held at midnight to avoid press attention. Grim.
Jane Cox disappears from public life – some believe she returned to Jamaica. She and Florence never speak again.
Dr Gully lives out the rest of his days in disgrace. He dies in 1883, professionally ruined.
The case inspires multiple books and fiction references – including Agatha Christie and BBC’s Lady Killers.
The Priory still stands today near Tooting Bec Common. A literal house of secrets.