Hanged: Ruth Ellis and the Price of Passion – Part Seven: The Last Woman

In this final installment of our seven-part series, we follow Ruth Ellis through her last days and hours at Holloway Prison. Convicted of the murder of her lover, David Blakely, Ruth became the last woman hanged in Britain. We trace the frantic efforts made by friends, family, and even members of the public to win her a reprieve—and the powerful voices calling for her execution to go forward. We recount the haunting details of her final letters, her last walk to the gallows, and her shocking confession on the eve of her death that suggested she did not act alone. 📺 Watch episodes on YouTube and subscribe for updates: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponACrimePodcast  Sources: A Fine Day for a Hanging: The Ruth Ellis Story, Carol Ann Lee, Mainstream Publishing, 2013. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruth_Ellis https://realcrimes.co.uk/ruth-ellis-jealousy-rejection-and-a-hanging/ https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/tvfilm/ruth-ellis-real-story-last-woman-hanged-murder-a-cruel-love-b1141748.html https://web.archive.org/web/20141204212735/http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/women/ellis/5.html https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2003/sep/12/ukcrime.claredyer https://www.hampshirelive.news/news/history/woman-hanged-ruth-ellis-hampshire-4192091 https://www.crimemagazine.com/ruth-ellis-love-lust-and-death-gallows Resources & Further ReadingDance with a Stranger (1985 film)ITV’s A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story (2025)Ruth Ellis: My Sister’s Secret Life by Muriel JakubaitLine Up for Crime by Duncan Webb Sponsors:  See a list of our sponsors and discount codes on our website: https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/sponsors/ Links:  Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime  Our Website - www.truecrimepodcast.com  ✈️ Travel with Us to Mexico City! 🇲🇽 We’re taking Once Upon a Crime on the road—and you’re invited! In March 2026, join us for a fun, fabulous 4-day group trip to vibrant Mexico City. Explore incredible sights, savor delicious food, and connect with fellow true crime fans on an unforgettable adventure. Reserve your spot today with just 25% down—but hurry, space is limited and will sell out fast! 🔗 Click here to learn more and book your spot now! Support the Show: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review. Your support helps us bring more stories like Ruth’s to life. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.