The 'Locked Shop Murder' - 1926
Florence Hargreaves was born in Yorkshire in 1872 to James and Mary Hargreaves. Her father was a bootmaker, and she grew up in a modest household. By 1901, Florence was working as a draper’s assistant, a role that involved selling fabrics, clothes, and accessories to customers. By 1911, she was still living with her parents, working as a draper and milliner—designing and selling women’s hats, a skill that likely helped her eventually open her own shop.
The last record of Florence’s life before her death is from 1921, when she was boarding with Fred and Lucy Bramfield in Sheffield. She listed herself as a draper, now owning the very shop she would later be murdered in on Attercliffe Road. Florence ran her draper’s shop alone for over 20 years, but in January 1926, her life was tragically cut short.
On January 27, 1926, Florence’s father, James Hargreaves, went to check on her after not hearing from her for days. He forced open the door to her shop and made a horrifying discovery. Florence was lying dead behind the counter, strangled with a stocking tightly wound around her neck. She had been there for days. Her ribs were broken, and she had bruises on her arms, but there were no signs of a break-in or struggle.
The police were baffled. The shop had been locked from the inside, nothing was stolen, and there was no sign of a struggle. The coroner confirmed that Florence had died from strangulation, but whether it was murder or suicide, no one could say for sure. Florence’s lifestyle added to the mystery—she had few friends, lived alone, and some believed she had developed an interest in spiritualism.
Neighbors described her as eccentric, often keeping odd hours. On the morning of her death, she was seen in good spirits, buying potatoes from a nearby shop. But later that day, she vanished. The investigation hit a dead end. Florence had no known enemies, and despite a £50 reward for information, no strong leads emerged. Two inquests were held, but the verdict was left open—her death remained unresolved.
To this day, Florence Hargreaves' murder remains one of Sheffield’s most baffling unsolved cases. Was it a targeted attack? A robbery gone wrong? Or something even more sinister? With no clear motive and no suspects, the "Locked Shop Murder" still haunts the community almost a century later. Rest in peace, Florence.
The tragic and unsolved murder of Florence Hargreaves leaves behind a legacy of unanswered questions and eerie mystery. It’s stories like these that remind us of the fascinating, and sometimes dark, history that may be hidden in our own family trees. If you’re curious about uncovering the mysteries and stories within your own family’s past, we can help. Whether it's tracing long-lost relatives, discovering forgotten ancestors, or even restoring precious family photos, our genealogical services are designed to bring your family history to life.