The Horrifying and Mysterious Case of Rosina Smith

The shocking and horrifying case of Rosina Smith that seized headlines and captivated the public in in the late 19th century.

Join this channel to get access to perks:

Please remember to subscribe and hit the bell icon as well as leave a like and a comment for more videos every week!

[danielamicallef]

A clear example of a father neglecting responsabilities. Very cruel fate indeed. Most commendably recounted. Thanks B. C.

[CAROLUSPRIMA]

Many of these cases touch upon significant and fundamental issues that go far beyond the criminal act. That’s one thing that keeps this channel interesting; it uses true crime to discuss social, religious, psychological and economic matters.

[MsKenniTee]

Thank you for always being so respectful of the victims. I had post natal depression and was too ashamed to tell anyone. It’s very hard to deal with. 😢

[andreamiller]

Brief Case, you present sad and painful events with great sensitivity. The quality of your content is so superior to the many true crime channels on YouTube.

[pangorban]

Rosina could have been my great grandmother. She was one of those many thousands of women who migrated to Australia for much the same reasons Rosina migrated to New Zealand. She met my great grandfather on board the ship and they later married, raised seven children and had a tough but happy life. Had Rosina met the right man, she could have had the life my great grandmother had. In those days, a woman's future depended a great deal on the quality of a man's character and how men treated them.

[saracreaney]

As someone who has struggled with post partum depression which took a year after to be diagnosed is hard to explain. I didn't hate my baby but just felt numb and I wasn't good enough for him. My heart goes out to this poor soul and all ladies who have suffered or still suffering. X

[tamsin]

As with all B.C's videos, this was emotional, perfectly narrated, and well researched. Thank you again B.C.

[paolatizzoni]

I live in New Zealand and I've never heard of this story. Poor woman. Post Natal depression is a horrible thing, especially if you have no support. 🙁

[rosemaryfranzese]

It seems clear that Rosina Smith was suffering from a form of post natal depression. If this had been a premeditated killing by someone who was rational it would have been likely that she would have thought out a plan that would have allowed her to return perhaps to Auckland and commit the crime without anyone knowing about it in a calculating manner. Rosina’s actions were that of someone who found themself in a situation she couldn’t cope with. Six months hard labour might seen harsh but it may have helped her to refocus her life and it gave her the opportunity to start again. Life was undoubtedly hard for young women who had emigrated to New Zealand but spare a thought for Mr Wakeham, there doesn’t seem to be any proof he was Emily’s father but it is clear that some of the community turned against him and he may have become unbalanced by the suspicion and gossip which might have caused the Wakeham’s marriage to suffer. I am glad Mrs Wakeham survived the attack and l hope she recovered. I also hope that Rosina was able to make a life for herself but l am sure that she would never have forgotten Emily and wished could have been different.

[freeshrugs]

Thank you for including comments about how difficult life was for women alone in life. This was heartbreaking.

[sergeipohkerova]

The married guy who knocked her up is a villain, too 🤮

[mingisdots]

Mister Brief Case, you are always so respectful when relaying these tragic stories. Thank you for understanding how tough it was for that poor girl. ❤🎉

[boatymcboatface]

Hi BC. Great video. I remember learning about the "call for women" to NZ in the late 19th century when I was in high school. Getting down here (London to Auckland) took four months on a sailing ship. We've forgotten how bad it was in those days - shows how much we've disconnected from our roots! I've never heard of this case until now. She couldn't leave her baby in a work house because we never had them - the govt of the day saw what they were like in the home country and made sure it wasn't replicated here. Where they found baby was Mason Bros nurseries I think (I learned they planted a lot of gardens around parts of Auckland at the request of the council in the 1870s). They had two nurseries - Parnell (where baby was found) and in the area known today as Herne Bay/Ponsonby.

[karenmessinger]

Post partum depression? That paired with the loneliness & rejection of being an unwed mother had to be so very difficult for these poor women & their precious babies. May God have mercy on their souls.

[bingsballyhoo]

That was a sad one. Thanks for another well-put-together story.

[GriffithsJacqueline]

1800's were very hard if you didn't have money. The poor were very poor, I certainly wouldn't want to live during those times. Thank you so much for your great storytelling. Love your channel 😍

[gardenx]

My heart breaks when i hear stories about these poor single mothers with no support ending the life of their babies.

[resQfurppl]

she had post postpartum depression, plus being criticized for not being married & goodness knows what happened in her past. she didn’t talk about it so it must not have been good. sad case 😢

[maureenjacobs]

Sadly, post partum depression was not a known syndrome. Poor women made poor choices without help. The alleged promises from Mr. Wilson broke her further. Very sad times indeed.

[davedavis]

You and crime reel are my two favourite channels - I love both your work