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Florence Bravo

17/9/2023

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On This Day 17th September 1878 Florence Bravo died

She was the wife of Charles Delauney Bravo, a British lawyer who died from poisoning with antimony The case is still sensational, notorious and unresolved.

The case is also known as The Charles Bravo Murder and the Murder at the Priory in Balham
It was an unsolved crime committed within an elite Victorian household at The Priory, a landmark house in Balham, within the historic parish of Streatham.

The poison was purchased from a chemist in Streatham High Road and the Rector of Streatham was called to give "The last rites"

Leading doctors attended the bedside, including Dr George Harrison of 11 Paragon, 26 Streatham Hill and all agreed that it was a case of antimony poisoning. The victim took three days to die but gave no indication of the source of the poison during that time. No one was ever charged with the crime.
Florence Riccardo whilst living in Furzedown area of Streatham became friendly with a widow, Jane Cannon Cox, the daily governess to the Brookes’ daughter. Florence moved with Jane as her companion to the Priory, a large white, painted, house on the edge of Tooting Bec Common off Bedford Hill.

After ending her affair with Dr Gully and in an effort to regain her family and respectability Florence married Charles Bravo a young barrister. Unfortunately he turned out to be a fortune hunter and a violent and mean bully.

The inquest was heard at the Bedford Hotel; Florence, Jane and James Gully were the main suspects in arguably the most mysterious murder of the 19th century.
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(Florence also lived at 10 Leigham Court Road 1873/74 and Dr. James Gulley lived at 43 Leigham Court Road at same time)
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    Author

    Mark Bery, Secretary Streatham Society

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