Friday, April 28, 2017

Freaky Murder By Unbrella...!

For today's freaky Friday story, let's go all the way back to 1978. You may remember this story as it was all over the news in the U.K.

The Poisoned Umbrella


Photo credit: Wikimedia

It’s a case that many people have heard of. In 1978, Georgi Markov, a Bulgarian dissident and a BBC journalist, was poked in the back of his leg by an umbrella held by an unknown man. The unknown man ran off, and sometime later, Mr. Markov complained that his leg had gone stiff.

The next day, Markov was taken to St. James’s Hospital, Balham, where he spoke up about the umbrella man. Markov was described as being “very toxic,” and he had a high fever. He was diagnosed as having septicemia, but the antibiotics failed to cure him. He died a few days later from cardiac arrest.

Markov’s body was inspected, and the doctors found a puncture wound on the back of his leg where he said he had been bumped by an umbrella. An X-ray revealed a platinum pellet inside the puncture wound. The pellet was removed, and inside two small holes that were drilled into the pellet, ricin was detected. The murder of Georgi Markov remains unsolved, but it is generally believed that it was carried out by the Bulgarian secret services.

It's my guess that the dead man must have got hold of some information he shouldn't have and paid the deadly price. Either that or could be he was just simply a spy that knew too much.

Coffee out on the patio this morning. Gonna be a hot one with the temps around 91.

6 comments:

linda m said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
linda m said...

I am going with the Spy theory. Sounds like something the KGB would do. Straight out of a James Bond movie. Well the sun is out for now. Clouds come back this afternoon followed by more rain. Think I will start work on an ARK. Have a great weekend.

Momlady said...

I remember that story. It was all over the news and there was much speculation as to the culprit. Dangerous stuff...spying.

HermitJim said...

Hey Linda...
I'm thinking you're right about that. Surprised that it didn't happen more often.
Thanks for stopping by today.


Hey Momlady...
It is indeed a dangerous job and I don't think I would want it!
Thanks for coming over today!

JO said...

Since it was the only case known then I also will go with the spy. Wonder if he gave up his secret on his death bed.

We are under a wind advisory again but temps in the low 80's have windows and doors open right now enjoy the fresh air before the wind gets to high

Dizzy-Dick said...

Nosey reporters and sneaky spies have a short life expectancy for sure. It may be a very exiting life but short.