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Sealed Files and Hidden DNA: The Murder of Muriel Drinkwater (Swansea, 1946)
Published 3 weeks, 4 days ago
Description
A 12-year-old girl waves to her mother from the woods. She never comes home. Found the next day, raped and shot twice. Muriel Drinkwater, known as The Little Nightingale, was murdered 500 yards from her family farm in Penllergaer Woods, Swansea, on June 27, 1946.
Police interviewed 20,000 men. They found the murder weapon, a modified World War One Colt 45 pistol. In 2008, investigators discovered her forgotten school coat with a semen stain circled in yellow crayon from 1946. Scientists extracted DNA from the 62-year-old evidence, the oldest forensic sample successfully recovered in a UK murder investigation.
The DNA ruled out prime suspect Harold Jones, a notorious double child killer. A 2020 BBC documentary identified Ronnie Harries, a farmhand who worked for Muriel's father and was later hanged for hammer murders. His family's DNA was tested. Police refuse to release the results.
In 2010, Scotland Yard sealed all case files from public access. After 64 years, nobody can view the evidence. They have DNA. They have suspects. What are they hiding about the murder of The Little Nightingale?
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/whispers-of-crime-unsolved-true-crime--6281125/support.
Whispers of Crime: Unsolved True Crime is your go-to true crime podcast for exploring the most chilling unsolved mysteries, cold cases, and murder investigations that continue to baffle experts in 2025. We dive deep into infamous serial killer cases, forensic evidence analysis, and criminal investigations that remain shrouded in mystery.
Our true crime episodes uncover shocking twists, DNA breakthroughs, and the latest investigative leads in cases like the Zodiac Killer, Golden State Killer, Long Island Serial Killer, and other notorious unsolved murders. From missing persons cases to underreported crimes, we shine a light on forgotten mysteries that deserve justice and closure.
Whether you're fascinated by forensic files, criminal psychology, or real-life detective work, Whispers of Crime delivers gripping storytelling with compelling evidence analysis. We explore everything from famous cold cases and police investigations to lesser-known homicides and disappeared persons cases that still haunt families and communities.
Join our community of true crime enthusiasts every Tuesday and Friday at 8 PM for new episodes featuring:
In-depth cold case investigations and breakthrough developments
Serial killer profiles and criminal behavior analysis
Unsolved murder mysteries with exclusive interviews
Missing persons cases and abduction investigations
Forensic science insights and DNA evidence updates
Many oth
Police interviewed 20,000 men. They found the murder weapon, a modified World War One Colt 45 pistol. In 2008, investigators discovered her forgotten school coat with a semen stain circled in yellow crayon from 1946. Scientists extracted DNA from the 62-year-old evidence, the oldest forensic sample successfully recovered in a UK murder investigation.
The DNA ruled out prime suspect Harold Jones, a notorious double child killer. A 2020 BBC documentary identified Ronnie Harries, a farmhand who worked for Muriel's father and was later hanged for hammer murders. His family's DNA was tested. Police refuse to release the results.
In 2010, Scotland Yard sealed all case files from public access. After 64 years, nobody can view the evidence. They have DNA. They have suspects. What are they hiding about the murder of The Little Nightingale?
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/whispers-of-crime-unsolved-true-crime--6281125/support.
Whispers of Crime: Unsolved True Crime is your go-to true crime podcast for exploring the most chilling unsolved mysteries, cold cases, and murder investigations that continue to baffle experts in 2025. We dive deep into infamous serial killer cases, forensic evidence analysis, and criminal investigations that remain shrouded in mystery.
Our true crime episodes uncover shocking twists, DNA breakthroughs, and the latest investigative leads in cases like the Zodiac Killer, Golden State Killer, Long Island Serial Killer, and other notorious unsolved murders. From missing persons cases to underreported crimes, we shine a light on forgotten mysteries that deserve justice and closure.
Whether you're fascinated by forensic files, criminal psychology, or real-life detective work, Whispers of Crime delivers gripping storytelling with compelling evidence analysis. We explore everything from famous cold cases and police investigations to lesser-known homicides and disappeared persons cases that still haunt families and communities.
Join our community of true crime enthusiasts every Tuesday and Friday at 8 PM for new episodes featuring:
In-depth cold case investigations and breakthrough developments
Serial killer profiles and criminal behavior analysis
Unsolved murder mysteries with exclusive interviews
Missing persons cases and abduction investigations
Forensic science insights and DNA evidence updates
Many oth