In 1899, Alfred Johnson, a laborer, began living in his home on 9 Junction Rd, Acton, England. On May 17, 1900, the Brentford Gas Company came to lay some pipes in the home. They sent Thomas Sheild to do the job and he had to take up the floor to do it. About a foot from the Heartstone Thomas spotted what he thought was a rat's nest. He then realized that it was a skull and he called to the other worker. The two would then contact the police.
Under the floorboards was the body of a young girl around 2 to 3 years old. She had been covered in lime and wrapped in a child chemise. Her cause of death could not be found and her hands were missing, but it wasn't stated whether or not the hands were destroyed due to the lime or removed either by a person or animal activity. The way her body was found it was believed that she was put there with care, but that does not mean she wasn't murdered. Due to the lime it was unknown when she died 2 to 3 years.
There were several tenants who came in and out of the home, but the children were traced. One family who lived there between 1896 and August 1898 stated that all their children were fine and there was no noticeable smell. The next family moved in October 1898 and stated that there was a woody smell and it was stronger when the floor was washed and moved out around a year later.
SOURCES:
Middlesex County Times May 26, 1900
Acton and Chiswick Gazzette June 1, 1900
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