London torso murder case
London torso murder case refers to the cult related murder of a young boy whose torso was discovered in London’s Thames river in 2001. The torso was found wearing only a pair of red shorts. An investigation was undertaken by Scotland Yard to find the perpetrators of the crime. The boy was given the name “Adam” as a temporary name until his true identity could be discovered. [1] A £50,000 reward was offered for information about the case [2]
Investigators quickly decided that the murder was Voodoo related and the boy was likely ritual sacrifice offering, perhaps a Muti killing. [3] The investigation became international in scope when investigators from Scotland Yard traveled to Africa to research the various forms of Voodoo and to collect possible information about the origins of the boy who was believed to have been from African. Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa, made an appeal to the citizens of his country and people of the world to offer any information they may have in the investigation of this crime. [4]
An episode of National Geographic Channel’s Explorer was devoted to this case. [5] This case was the basis of the movie London Voodoo. [6]
References
- ^ BBC: Candle clues ruled out in 'Muti' killing "He was an Afro-Caribbean boy aged five to six years and has been called "Adam" by police." Retrieved February 25, 2007
- ^ BBC: Torso murder reward offered Retrieved February 25, 2007
- ^ BBC:'I was forced to kill my baby' Retrieved February 25, 2007
- ^ BBC: Mandela makes Thames torso appeal Retrieved February 25, 2007
- ^ National Geographic Explorer: The Witchcraft Murder Retrieved February 25, 2007
- ^ Shootingpeople.com “Thames river police pull a mutilated torso of a black boy out of the river near Robert Pratten's house. VOODOO RITUAL KILLING screams the tabloid press. Robert Pratten researches into voodoo and goes to film schoolto make his award-winning debut feature London Voodoo.” Retrieved February 25, 2007