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Original poster

Would you buy a house that somebody had been murdered in?

363 replies

lucy889 · 10/03/2025 14:18

Around 12 years ago, an awful murder involving a child and parent happened a few miles from our house, it was such a shock and the house has been empty ever since.

It's now on the market, I personally could never buy it or live there and I feel sad every time I drive by.

Would you buy it given the history if it was perfect for you?

OP posts:
Raspberrymoon49 · 10/03/2025 16:47

No, I live very close to the house where Sara Sharif was murdered and hate walking past, let alone live in it

WYSISYG40 · 10/03/2025 16:47

In the county where I live a decade or so ago a man had a falling out with 2 people so set out to kill them , he also went on to kill 10 more people and injury a further 11 ( I looked it up to be correct ) before shooting himself.

His house was in a small village and was boarded up for a while before being totally taken back to brick and floors taken up . Presumably to eradicate all his DNA .

Whilst no-one was murdered there , a serial killer and evil man did.
The house once renovated went on the market and someone lives in it now .

tallhotpinkflamingo · 10/03/2025 16:48

There are probably loads of houses where it's happened and you just don't know it.

Harold Shipman's GP practice is a Lidl now for example.

Wouldn't bother me personally, unless it would be difficult to sell on in future.

calmcandle · 10/03/2025 16:49

@Cattery - I think they would have known as the estate agents were explicit about it. Think I recall hearing that whoever bought it did it up quite quickly and sold it on. Maybe it was always their intention to just make a profit (as it was over 100k cheaper than other flats in the area) or maybe it did become uncomfortable living there?

Redscrunchie · 10/03/2025 16:54

No. We actually own a house where a man killed his wife and child and then himself. Dh was after us moving into it for a while and I said no way Jose!

I had to go and do some bits of painting etc there once and I was really on edge. A shame as it's a lovely period house and could be really gorgeous - we divided it into apartments and let it out.

Topsyturvy78 · 10/03/2025 16:54

The only thing that would put me off is it would always be known as that house where a mother and child were murdered.

Where I live in the 50's there was a double murder of 2 children. They lived in the same street as the man who killed them. Whenever it's up for sale the local rag do an article on it. But there's also some confusion over which was the house 1 of the girls lived and which was the murderers house.

Fred and Rose West's house was demolished. But they can't really demolish every house where there's been a murder. A more appropriate use for it would be a women's refuge or a safe house and people in witness protection.

Miaowzabella · 10/03/2025 16:58

notapennyless · 10/03/2025 15:38

I would buy it but get a priest to come and bless it before we moved in.

Preferably one who hadn't personally murdered anyone.

Butchyrestingface · 10/03/2025 16:59

Some of the Bamber relatives moved very quickly into the scene of the crime - White House Farm. According to a documentary I watched, such was the haste that blood stains had not been completely wiped off the furniture/walls, etc. I don't know if that particular detail is true or mere sensationalism but they certainly moved in. Jeremy B himself referred to his aunt as a "sick puppy" for doing so but he's in no position to talk.

So yes, there will always be people attracted by a low price/inheritance - even when it's your own relatives who were slain.

Cattery · 10/03/2025 17:03

calmcandle · 10/03/2025 16:49

@Cattery - I think they would have known as the estate agents were explicit about it. Think I recall hearing that whoever bought it did it up quite quickly and sold it on. Maybe it was always their intention to just make a profit (as it was over 100k cheaper than other flats in the area) or maybe it did become uncomfortable living there?

Yes maybe. Macabre x

Madewithchilli · 10/03/2025 17:04

Redscrunchie · 10/03/2025 16:54

No. We actually own a house where a man killed his wife and child and then himself. Dh was after us moving into it for a while and I said no way Jose!

I had to go and do some bits of painting etc there once and I was really on edge. A shame as it's a lovely period house and could be really gorgeous - we divided it into apartments and let it out.

How long ago did this happen?

Seaitoverthere · 10/03/2025 17:05

No I wouldn’t. I have lived in houses where I know people have died and the current one was lived in by a detective who was responsible for catching a murderer back in the day but I would think too much about what had happened if I knew a child had been murdered.

AdoraBell · 10/03/2025 17:05

No.

TheMorels · 10/03/2025 17:07

Yes, wouldn’t bother me at all.

Mirabai · 10/03/2025 17:09

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 10/03/2025 14:35

I expect it was the previous Rillington Place ( Christie). I used to live near there, the whole street had been pulled down and rebuilt in the 1970’s.I also knew someone who lived there ( he wasn’t very nice!)

Show quote history

My friends used to live in Ruston Close (the renamed Rillington Place). No bad vibes there.

NeedWineNow · 10/03/2025 17:11

No. Our house is over 100 years old and it is more than likely that someone has died here previously, but I couldn't buy a house knowing that a murder had been committed there. The knowledge would haunt me.

AgnesX · 10/03/2025 17:13

If it was the right house, in the right place and at the right price. Yes. Time moves on.

Keepgettingolder81 · 10/03/2025 17:13

Yes, it's not like they are still in the building

Delphiniumandlupins · 10/03/2025 17:17

I think 12 years would be much too recent for me. I once viewed a house that was very close to the site of a murder in the 60s. I didn't know the case until a friend mentioned it when I told her the street. The house wasn't right anyway but I wouldn't have been put off by the tragedy a few doors along. I think it might always affect the value. I'm not worried about ghosts etc just like to feel other people have been happy in a house.

EnchantedBroccoli · 10/03/2025 17:20

Lentilweaver · 10/03/2025 14:27

I am more worried about global warming- future suffering- than any previous incidents.

Me too.

Cattreesea · 10/03/2025 17:20

I don't see why not.

Anyone who buys a period property might be be living in a house where over the decades someone died, was unhappy, was very ill and so on. That's just life.

If you are superstitious you could always have it 'cleansed' by a priest or just burn sage in the house.

TheMorels · 10/03/2025 17:22

Cattreesea · 10/03/2025 17:20

I don't see why not.

Anyone who buys a period property might be be living in a house where over the decades someone died, was unhappy, was very ill and so on. That's just life.

If you are superstitious you could always have it 'cleansed' by a priest or just burn sage in the house.

We live in a Jacobean house. I’m sure lots of people have died in it.

UndermyShoeJoe · 10/03/2025 17:24

I’d buy it also love those houses that have sealed up hidden rooms and such.

BellaVita · 10/03/2025 17:26

Not a chance 😫

user2848502016 · 10/03/2025 17:28

Yes if the price was right!

Catproblems · 10/03/2025 17:28

No. There was a horrible murder in the village where I went to school. Decades later I still get a wave of sadness driving past. Many locals may feel the same about the house.

maybe different if it was more anonymous in a city.

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