Dark Stories: On This Day In True Crime History - Dark Stories True Crime Tours

2004: The Scream and Madonna Stolen at Gunpoint from Oslo Museum

In broad daylight on 22 August 2004, masked gunmen entered the Munch Museum in Oslo, Norway, and tore two priceless works from the walls: the 1910 version of Edvard Munch’s iconic The Scream and his enigmatic Madonna. A quick-thinking bystander photographed the thieves as they fled to a getaway car. Fragments of the gilded frames were later found nearby, and fears circulated that the paintings had been deliberately destroyed to eliminate evidence.

Norwegian police arrested a suspect in April 2005, and in early 2006 six men stood trial. Three were sentenced to between four and eight years in prison. Then, in August 2006, police announced they had recovered both works. The Scream bore moisture damage to its lower-left corner; Madonna showed tears and holes on her right side. Before restoration, the Munch Museum exhibited the damaged paintings to the public for five days, drawing more than five thousand visitors.

Edvard Munch, The Scream (1893). Photo: Børre Høstland/National Museum of Norway. CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

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Armed Robbery Art Theft Europe Norway Oslo Robbery Trial

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1891: William Colston Hanged at Melbourne Gaol for the Narbethong Double Murder

William Colston, a carpenter, was arrested at Yarra Glen after being recognised outside a hotel by a former acquaintance, A.V. Forster, who slipped away under the pretence of fetching his purse and alerted the local constable. Colston had denied his identity, claiming his name was Lewis, but Constable Arnold confirmed the arrest by locating the distinctive bald spot on the back of his head, matching the description published in the Police Gazette. He had been wanted over the murders of Mr. and Mrs. Davis at Narbethong on 20 February.

Colston was tried, convicted, and hanged at Melbourne Gaol on 21 August 1891.

Upon arrest, Colston acknowledged he was the man being sought and admitted he had committed the murders, proceeding to describe the circumstances under which he had killed the elderly couple.

William Colston - Final Days

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Australia Execution Melbourne Murder Narbethong Trial VIC Yarra Glen

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1876: Donegal Jim Hanged at Ballarat for the Assault of Elizabeth Reece at Burrumbeet

James Ashe, known as “Donegal Jim,” was hanged at Ballarat Gaol on 21 August 1876 for the violent assault of Elizabeth Reece at Burrumbeet on 4 April that year.

After months of searching, Detective Mahony spotted Ashe sitting on a doorstep in Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, and recognised him from a description in the Police Gazette. Ashe gave a false name and denied knowing anything about the attack.

He was identified first by Reece’s son-in-law and then taken back to Burrumbeet, where Reece immediately recognised him. On seeing him among several men, she pointed him out, saying, “There he is; that’s the ruffian.” When asked to identify him more closely, she touched Ashe and said, “This is the one.”

Ashe was convicted and sentenced to death. On the morning of 21 August, he walked calmly to the gallows at Ballarat Gaol. Asked whether he wished to say anything, he simply replied, “No sir.” He was then hanged.

Lake Burrumbeet bushland reserve, Victoria Australia

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Australia Ballarat Burrumbeet Execution Murder Trial VIC

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1829: John Holmes Hanged for Arson at Campbelltown

John Holmes was convicted of maliciously setting fire to a barn belonging to James Benn at Campbell Town on 29 May 1829, with intent to injure and defraud the owner. The jury returned a verdict of guilty and a sentence of death was passed.

Holmes was executed at Campbelltown on 21 August 1829. On the scaffold, Reverend Mr. Therry sought and received permission to address the assembled crowd, relaying the condemned man’s confession before Holmes himself spoke, earnestly urging spectators to take warning from his fate and avoid the bad company that had brought him to his end.

Holmes acknowledged his guilt and the justice of his sentence, expressing hope that God had forgiven him as he freely forgave all who had wronged him.

Barn Fire

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Arson Australia Campbelltown Execution NSW Sydney Trial

2004: The Scream and Madonna Stolen at Gunpoint from Oslo Museum

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1891: William Colston Hanged at Melbourne Gaol for the Narbethong Double Murder

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1876: Donegal Jim Hanged at Ballarat for the Assault of Elizabeth Reece at Burrumbeet

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1829: John Holmes Hanged for Arson at Campbelltown

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