The Handsome Sadist
The handsome blonde man claimed to be a former officer in the South African Air Force. But Neville Heath was one of the most sadistic killers in British criminal history. It was after 2 p.m. on 20 June 1946, and the “Do Not Disturb” sign was still hanging on the door handle of Room 4 of the Pembridge Court Hotel in Notting Hill, London. The chambermaid, anxious to finish her rounds, knocked at the door. There was no response. She peered through the keyhole, but could see nothing in the darkened room. She waited a while, and then sought out the hotel’s assistant manager, Mrs Alice Wyatt. Mrs Wyatt let herself into the room with her pass key and drew back the curtains. One of the beds in the twin-bedded room was empty; in the other, someone was apparently asleep under the blankets. Mrs Wyatt pulled the bedclothes a few inches to one side and uncovered the head and shoulders of a young woman. Her eyes were wide open, and her skin bore the unmistakable blue tinge of death. Mrs Wyatt ba...