Murder in Ruislip

HORRID AND MYSTERIOUS MURDER NEAR UXBRIDGE. For some days past, the neighbourhood of the town of Uxbridge has been much excited by the sudden and mysterious disappearance of a lad named John Brill, in the employ of Mr. Charles Churchill, an extensive farmer, residing in the parish of Ruislip, near that town, who, it has since been discovered, has been most barbarously murdered.

It appears, that the unfortunate youth, about two months since gave evidence before the magistrates sitting in petty sessions at Uxbridge against two men, named Thomas Lavender and James Bray, who were charged with poaching on the grounds of Ralph Dean, Esq , at Ruislip, on which occasion threats of violence were held out against him by the prisoners and their friends. On Thursday, not returning to the farm in the evening, as was his wonted custom, Mr. Churchill sent to Brill's residence to know if he had returned home. His parents replied in the negative, and a search was in consequence instituted with lanterns in the wood, but no trace of him could be discovered. It was, however, ascertained, that he had finished the gap he had been sent to repair.

On Friday and Saturday the search was again renewed, but with no better success. On Sunday morning a large body of the villagers joined in the search, and about noon the ill-fated youth was discovered by a man named J. Lavender, the father of one of the men whom it is alleged had threatened his life, in a hollow in the wood.

When found he was lying on his back, quite dead. His clothes were in disorder, and his face was covered with dirt, as if he had been rolled in the decayed leaves with which the spot was discovered. He instantly raised an alarm, and in a few minutes he was joined by several of the party.

On examining the body, the marks of a severe blow were discovered under the right ear, which was considerably swollen, and from which a quantity of blood had flowed. About six yards behind, the billhook which he had been using was found, and on a hedge just above him was his cap, which had apparently been caught by the furze as he fell. There were also marks in the leaves for five or six yards, as if the deceased had staggered before he fell.

On lifting him up, although every joint of his body was stiff, his neck was remarkably lax, and indicated every appearance of having been broken. A quantity of blood also flowed from his nose. The body was then conveyed to the Six Bells public-house at Ruislip, where it underwent a coroner's inquest.