Rattenbury, Alma (c. 1904–1935)

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Rattenbury, Alma (c. 1904–1935)

English murderer (accused). Born c. 1904 in England; stabbed herself to death, June 4, 1935, in Bournemouth, England; m. Caledon Dolling, 1914 (died Aug 1916); m. Captian Compton Pakenham, 1921; m. Francis Mawson Rattenbury (British architect), 1925 (murdered 1935); children: (2nd m.) Christopher (b. July 8, 1921); (3rd m.) John (b. 1928).

Found husband Francis Rattenbury with fractured skull at their home in Bournemouth (Mar 24, 1935) and he later died; drunk while talking to authorities, claimed to have beaten him with a mallet, while her lover, 18-year-old George Stoner, also confessed to the murder, claiming she was not involved; tried at Old Bailey with Stoner (May 1935), was acquitted, though Stoner received the death sentence, then was later reprieved.