"The Strange 'Murder' of William Harrison: A Mystery with No Body, No Killer, and an Unbelievable Twist!"

Dive into one of history’s most perplexing mysteries: the supposed murder of William Harrison. With no body and no real culprit, this bizarre case has baffled investigators and storytellers for centuries. What really happened, and why did a missing man turn up alive after being declared dead? Stay with me to uncover every twisted detail!"



n Thursday, August 16, 1660, a 70-year-old man named William Harrison left his home in Chipping Camden, Gloucestershire. He was the manager of the VI Countess’s estate. That day, he traveled to the nearby village of Charingworth, approximately two miles away, to collect rent for his mistress. Meanwhile, Mrs. Harrison continued her day, expecting William to return before dark as he typically did. However, as the day progressed and the sun began to set, William had yet to return, leading his wife to worry.

Neither Mrs. Harrison nor any villagers could have anticipated the events that would unfold. Concerned for her husband, Mrs. Harrison recalled recent incidents in the village, including an attack on their servant, John Perry, by a highwaywoman. Despite her anxiety, she sent John to search for William, leaving a candle lit in the window to guide their return. However, hours passed, and neither William nor John came back.

The following day, Edward Harrison, the couple’s son, set off towards Charingworth to determine his father's whereabouts. On his way, he encountered John Perry, who reported that he had searched the neighboring village without success. To trace William's path, they visited Ebrington, a small village situated between their locations. There, they spoke with tenants, confirming that William had indeed collected rent the previous evening.

Edward and John then proceeded to Paxford, a half-mile away, but found no evidence of the rent collector. Prepared to return to Chipping Camden to strategize further, they were informed that a hat, collar band, and comb had been discovered on the main road between Evington and Camden by a woman working in a field. Upon meeting the woman and inspecting the items, Edward and John recognized them as belonging to William. The presence of bloodstains and cuts on the hat and collar band raised their alarm.

By this time, news of their discovery had reached Chipping Camden. Fearing the worst, villagers commenced a frantic search for William’s body. They scoured the area surrounding where the items were found, yet no sign of Mr. Harrison was detectable. As John and Edward made their way home, suspicions began to arise in Edward's mind about John Perry's involvement. It was possible that John had encountered William on his return from Charingworth and sought to rob him of the rent money.

The next day, John Perry was brought before a justice of the peace to recount the events of the night William vanished. John explained that he had walked towards Charingworth until darkness impeded his search. Upon turning back, he met a man named William Reed, who accompanied him to Camden House. Following this, he encountered John Pierce and walked through a field searching for his master. Later, he rested in a hen house before attempting to continue to Charingworth. Ultimately, he fell asleep under a bush until morning.

Although John's narrative contained some inconsistencies, the accounts of William Reed, John Pierce, and the tenants he visited supported his story. Nevertheless, the Justice ordered John Perry to remain in custody, partially in prison and partially in an inn. After a week, John indicated that he possessed additional information regarding the incident, but insisted on speaking only to the local Justice.

John later confessed that he knew the fate of Harrison. He claimed that his brother, Richard, and mother, Joan, were responsible for his master’s murder. According to John, after their father’s death, the family’s financial struggles worsened. He alleged that Richard and Joan had stolen a large sum of money from Harrison's residence the prior year. When William left to collect rent, Richard and Joan followed him, killed him for his money, and concealed the body.

Upon hearing John’s confession, Joan and Richard denied any involvement in the alleged murder. Despite their protestations, John remained steadfast in his accusation. He later claimed that his statement stemmed from insanity. Despite this, and the judge's initial reluctance to proceed due to the absence of a body, John, Richard, and Joan were eventually tried for William Harrison's murder.

After witnessing his mother and brother executed, John Perry declared before the crowd that he was unaware of his master's fate, but suggested that the truth might soon be revealed. John’s body was subsequently hanged. A year later, in 1662, a vessel from Lisbon arrived in England, carrying a man with an extraordinary story of abduction and escape from slavery, none other than William Harrison himself. He stated that on the night of his disappearance, he had been attacked and injured by a group of men, who then abducted him.

After several weeks, he was transferred to a Turkish ship where he was enslaved by an elderly doctor. Upon the doctor’s death, William used a silver ball, a gift from the doctor, to purchase his freedom and return home. However, instead of a joyous reunion, it is said