Episode 96: The Murder in Room 144: A 19th Century Trunk Mystery

In the late 19th century, the world was a rapidly changing place. The Industrial Revolution had transformed cities, transatlantic travel was becoming more common, and new social norms were emerging. But beneath this veneer of progress lay darker,

the shadows that lurk within us all.

One such story is that of Charles Arthur Preller and Hugh Mottram Brooks, two men whose friendship ended in a shocking murder that would become known as the Preller and Brooks case. This tale is not just a story of murder but also one of speculation, societal prejudice, and the sensationalism that gripped the public imagination during that era.

Preller and Brooks were two Englishmen who met while traveling across the Atlantic. Their friendship seemed ordinary at first, but as they journeyed together, something darker began to brew beneath the surface. Their travels brought them to St. Louis, where their story would take a gruesome turn. Preller was found dead, his body stuffed into a trunk—a discovery that would shock the city and lead to Brooks being accused of his murder.

The nature of Preller and Brooks' relationship was the subject of much speculation. In a time when homosexuality was not just taboo but illegal, rumors quickly spread. The idea that their friendship might have been more than platonic added an extra layer of scandal to the case, feeding the sensationalist press and stirring public interest. Whether these rumors were true or not, they played a significant role in how the case was perceived and judged by society.

The murder itself, known as the "trunk murder," was a particularly gruesome and bizarre crime that captured the public's morbid curiosity. The idea of a man being killed and then hidden away in a trunk was horrifying, yet it also seemed to tap into a larger fear of the unknown—a fear of what people might be hiding behind closed doors, or in this case, inside a seemingly innocuous piece of luggage.

Interestingly, this wasn't the only trunk murder of the era. The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw several similar cases, where bodies were discovered in trunks, each one adding to the sense of unease and the belief that the world was becoming a more dangerous place.

The trial of Hugh Mottram Brooks was a dramatic affair, with the prosecution painting him as a cold-blooded killer and the defense arguing that the case was built on speculation and prejudice. In the end, Brooks was convicted and sentenced to death, but the questions raised by the case—about friendship, trust, and the dangers of societal judgment—continue to resonate.

The Preller and Brooks case is a reminder of how quickly friendship can turn to betrayal, how easily society can judge and condemn, and how some stories continue to haunt us long after the final chapter has been written. As we delve into this dark tale on our latest episode of Historical True Crime, we invite you to join us in exploring the chilling details, the societal context, and the enduring mysteries that make this case so compelling.

Whether you're a history buff, a true crime enthusiast, or someone interested in the darker side of human nature, this episode offers a fascinating look at a murder that shocked a city and captivated a nation. Listen now on your favorite podcast platform, and let us know your thoughts on this tragic story.