Death By Chocolate: The Last Sip

Tucked away in the heart of Christie Park, at the corner of King Street and Christie Street in Newcastle, stands an ornate relic of the city’s colonial past — the Shortland Centenary Fountain.

Originally unveiled in 1897 to commemorate Lieutenant John Shortland’s 1797 exploration of the Hunter River, the fountain first graced the promenade at Newcastle Beach. In 1937, it was carefully dismantled during the construction of Shortland Esplanade and relocated to the outskirts of Fletcher Park, near the intersection of Church Street and Pacific Street (now connected via a pedestrian walkway), standing close to the shoreline.

On a cold July night in 1946, Beryl and her 20-year-old companion, John, had spent the evening visiting two picture theatres. Later, they wandered through Fletcher Park and eventually sat near the memorial fountain.

There, Beryl consumed a piece of chocolate laced with cyanide, given to her by John. This historic fountain would deliver its most tragic legacy when Beryl, no doubt feeling the first effects of cyanide poisoning, took what would be her final sip of water. She collapsed shortly afterward being rushed to Newcastle Hospital by a passing motorist, but died within ten minutes of arriving.

Death By Chocolate

Police charged John with murder. But as the case unfolded, a more complicated picture emerged. John claimed Beryl had persuaded him to purchase the chocolate and the cyanide as part of a suicide pact. He said he had also intended to consume the poison — but spat his piece out before swallowing.

Freinds spoke of Beryl’s despair and recalled her saying she wanted to die — but never alone. At the time, Beryl was an unmarried pregnant woman — a source of deep shame and societal pressure in the 1940s and didn’t want to disgrace her family. John, it was said, had offered to marry her, but she declined, believing she was too young.

At the inquest, the coroner found that Beryl had willfully poisoned herself — but that John had encouraged her, having sourced the cyanide and helped plan the act. Still, the court could not definitively confirm the existence of a mutual pact.

John ultimately pleaded guilty to manslaughter. The court acknowledged his claims that he had tried to dissuade Beryl — but these were undermined by his encouragement and failure to prevent her death. He was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment, with a recommendation for release after just six months for good behavior.

Death By Chocolate

Today, the fountain — silent witness to Beryl’s final moments — now nestled in Christie Park, stands today as a quiet relic of Newcastle’s layered history and a subtle monument to a tragedy long forgotten.

What do you think? Did John truly intend to die? Or did he handle the poison with care, knowing exactly what it would do? Was this a tragic suicide, a mutual death pact, an act of manslaughter — or did John get away with murder?

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Postscript 1:
Five years later, now living in Islington, John Byrnes made the news again — this time for accidentally shooting himself in the abdomen with a .22 calibre rifle. He claimed he had been cleaning the gun in a shed when a cartridge exploded, with the bullet entering his stomach and exiting near the backbone. His condition at the Royal Newcastle Hospital was serious for a time — but once again, he survived. John eventually passed away in 1965.

Postscript 2:
During the fountain’s relocation in 1937, a time capsule was discovered — a glass jar filled with coins was found hidden within a concrete enclosure at its base. This was a popular practice in memorial installations throughout the 19th and 20th centuries — a practice which continues to this day.

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To uncover more Newcastle Crime History, consider booking tickets to Newcastle’s True Crime Tour here @ https://darkstories.com.au/newcastle-true-crime-tour/.

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Unleash Your Inner Detective: Order Novelty Mugshot Crime Cards Today!

Ready to unlock your inner detective and add a playful twist to your gatherings? Say hello to our Novelty Mugshot Crime Cards and our Custom Labelled Mugshot Crime Cards!

To start, let’s introduce you to the ‘I Regret Nothing Police Department’ Novelty Cards. From smooth operators to life-of-the-party types, these cards guarantee a laugh at every event. Get ready to dive into the world of Mugshot Crime Cards, and don’t forget; that you can order them through our website to elevate your party game.

Smooth Operator – this person has a knack for sliding into conversations and making everyone feel at ease. Their charm is undeniable, and they’ve been known to steal a few hearts along the way.

Bye Felicia – Known for dramatic exits and unforgettable one-liners, this party-goer definitely leaves their mark.

Thirst Trap – Always the centre of attention, this individual knows how to turn heads and keep the drinks flowing.

Life of The Party – With a knack for livening up any event, this character is the one who keeps the party going till the break of dawn.

Party Princess – Every party’s royalty, this lady knows how to make an entrance and leave everyone in awe. Here’s to another year of reigning supreme!

Gift Wrapped – Always bringing gifts that are as delightful as his presence, this gentleman is a welcome guest at any event. A very Happy Birthday to our Gift Wrapped!

Danceaholic – With moves that can steal the spotlight, this individual is a true dance floor magnet. Happy Birthday, Danceaholic!

Social Flutterby – Flitting from conversation to conversation, this social butterfly keeps the party buzzing. Wishing her another year of delightful social interactions!

The Uninvited – Despite never being on the guest list, this individual always finds a way into the party. Here’s to another year of crashing parties!

Diva – The star of any event, this lady’s presence is always felt and appreciated. Wishing our Diva a year full of glamour and glitz!

Chatterbox – The lifeblood of any gathering, this individual keeps the energy high with their endless tales and anecdotes. Happy Birthday, Chatterbox!

As we raise our glasses, we celebrate these unforgettable characters and their ‘crimes’ that make every party a memorable event.

Purchase your set of Novelty Party Mugshot Crime Cards or create your own Custom Labelled Mugshot Crime Cards through the Dark Stories website today. Perfect for spicing up your next party or surprising your friends and family with a unique gift.

Here’s to another year of laughter, fun, and unforgettable memories!

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Unlocking the Secrets of Carmichael Manor: An Immersive Journey into the Past

Maitland, in the heart of the Hunter Region, is set to host its next immersive theatre experience this November. Get ready for a ghostly journey into the unknown as “The Secrets of Carmichael Manor” unveils its mysterious tale within the historic walls of Grossman House. 🏰🌟

This haunting and secretive immersive theatre show will run for four nights, from November 25th to December 10th. With limited seats available, securing your tickets promptly is essential to ensure you don’t miss this charming experience. 🎟️🔒

A Journey Through Time and the Supernatural ⏳👻

They say there’s no such thing as time travel or ghosts, but who are “they,” anyway? In “The Secrets of Carmichael Manor,” a well-intentioned attempt to bring solace to the tormented souls inhabiting Carmichael Manor takes an unexpected turn. An eccentric priest and his companions find themselves transported back in time to the fateful day of October 31, 1919 – the day of Elspeth Carmichael’s impending wedding to her beloved Henry Strallen. Or is it? 🚪✨

A Web of Intrigue and Mystery 🧩🕵️‍♂️

As you step into the world of 1919 with Father Patrick, you’ll find yourself immersed in a web of murder, mystery, and secrets lurking within Carmichael Manor’s walls. Your task? To aid Father Patrick in deciphering the clues that hide the truth behind this mystifying manor. What happened to those who once dwelled here? Can you uncover the secrets before the sands of time run out, or will you remain trapped in the past forever? 🌄🔍⏳

An Adventure Awaits at Grossman House 🏡🌟

Prepare for a memorable journey into the unknown as you enter the past at Grossman House in Maitland. The historical setting provides the perfect backdrop for this experience, where the line between reality and the supernatural blurs, and secrets long buried come to light. 🌌🌠

Don’t miss your chance to unlock the mysteries of Carmichael Manor. Secure your tickets now for “The Secrets of Carmichael Manor” and be a part of this unique adventure. Remember, with only a few performances and limited seats available, you must act quickly to ensure your place in this mesmerizing journey through time and the paranormal.

Get ready to uncover The Secrets of Carmichael Manor – an adventure awaits! 🎭🌟🎫

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The Best Things to Do in Newcastle

Thank you to Thrifty Family Travels for including Dark Stories True Crime Tours in the list of Best Things to do in Newcastle.

There’s a mountain of great things to see and do in Newcastle so it’s a pleasure to be included.  Check out the full article for yourself!

Consider a Dark Stories True Crime Walking tour if you’re looking for cool things to do in Newcastle or one of the more unique things to do in Newcastle for teens.  This 90 minute tour will take you around the city while telling you stories about famous crimes that unfolded right where you stand.

We took the tour on a cold, windy night and found learning about the city’s more sinister side fascinating.  While we didn’t have any children with us, there was a group of young girls on the tour to celebrate one of their 10th  birthdays, and while I think some things went over their heads, they seemed to enjoy exploring the cemetery at night.

I’d recommend the Dark Stories True Crime Walking Tour as one of the fun things to do in Newcastle at night for families with older teenage kids.

do in Newcastle

The Newcastle True Crime Tour runs from 7:30pm on Friday, Saturday and Sundays, with extra sessions scheduled during school holidays.

And not too far down the road you can also enjoy the Maitland True Crime Tour which runs on Friday and Saturdays (scheduled for 5pm & 7:30pm timeslots).  Maitland is one of Australia’s oldest cities and has some unbelievable True Crime stories from the past – plus a glorious High St to enjoy.

Hope to see you there!

Newcastle's True Crime Tour
Newcastle's True Crime Tour
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