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Exhibit 40
Albion House
61, New Oxford Street
8th July 1910
Statement of ETHEL CLARE LE NEVE, says:-
I am a single woman, 27 years of age, and am a Shorthand Typist.
My father and mother reside at 17b Coldington Building Great College Street, Camden Town. My father is a Commercial Traveller.
Since the latter end of February I have been living at 39 Hilldrop Crescent with Mr. Crippen as his wife.
Before this I lived at 80 Constantine Road, Hampstead.
I have been on intimate terms with Mr. Crippen for between 2 and 3 years, but have known him for 10 years.
I made his acquaintance by being in the same employ as he.
I knew Mrs. Crippen, and have visited at Hilldrop Crescent. She treated me as a friend.
In the early part of February I received a note from Mr. Crippen saying Mrs. Crippen had gone to America, and asking me to hand over a packet he enclosed, to Miss May.
About 4pm same day he came to our business place, Albion House, and told me his wife had gone to America. He said she had packed up and gone.
I had been in the habit, for the past 2 or 3 years, of going about with him, and continued doing so.
About a week after he told me she had gone to America I went to Hilldrop Crescent to put the place straight, as there were no servants kept, but at night I went to my lodgings; and I did this daily for about a fortnight. The place appeared to be all right, and quite as usual.
He took me to the Benevolent Fund Dinner, and lent me a diamond brooch to wear, and later on told me I could keep it.
After this he told me she had caught a chill on board the ship and had got pneumonia, and afterwards he told me she was dead.
He told me he could not go to the funeral as it was too far and she would have been buried before he could get there.
Before he ever told me this I had been away with him for 5 or 6 days at Dieppe, and stayed at a hotel with him in the name of Mr. and Mrs. Crippen, but I cannot tell you the name of the place.
When we came back he took me to Hilldrop Crescent, and I remained there with him, occupying the same bedroom.
The same night, or the night after, he told me that Belle was dead. I was very much astonished, but I don't think I said anything to him about it. I have not had any conversation about it with him since.
He gave me some furs of his wife's to wear, and I have been living with him ever since as his wife, and have given up my lodgings at Constantine Road, and taken up my abode at Hilldrop Crescent.
My father and mother do not know what I am doing, and think I am housekeeper at Hilldrop Crescent.
When Dr Crippen told me his wife had gone to America I don't remember if he told me she was coming back or not. I cannot remember if he went into mourning.
(sd) Ethel Clare Le Neve.
8th July 1910
(sd) Walter Dew
Chief Inspector
Witness (sd) Arthur Mitchell,
Sergt.
The National Archives: CRIM 1/117