Frederick Edward Francis Bywaters was born on June 27, 1902. He grew up in England and was one of several children in his family. As a young boy, Bywaters had a happy childhood and was known for being charming and good-looking.

At the age of nine, he met Edith Thompson, who was a friend of his younger brothers. They did not become close at that time, as they were both very young. He later enlisted in the merchant navy as a young man. This job allowed him to travel the world, which helped shape his adventurous personality.

In 1920, when he was 18, Bywaters crossed paths again with Edith when she was 26. At that time, Edith was married to Percy Thompson. Bywaters quickly attracted Edith's attention. She was captivated by his looks and the exciting stories he shared about his travels. This sense of adventure he brought sparked something in Edith that she felt was missing in her life with Percy.

The couple welcomed Bywaters into their lives. They even went on holiday together with Edith’s sister. Meanwhile, Edith and Bywaters began to develop a romantic connection, telling stories that deepened their bond. Bywaters' charm and youthful energy represented to Edith a contrast to her more stable, conventional life with Percy.

As time went on, Bywaters would spend periods away at sea, and during that time, Edith would write to him often. She expressed her feelings for him in these letters, showing how their relationship evolved over time. 

On October 3, 1922, Edith Thompson and her husband Percy attended a theater performance in London. After the show, they traveled home together with Edith's relatives. At about 11:30 PM, while walking along Belgrave Road, a man jumped out from behind some bushes and attacked Percy.

During the attack, there was a violent struggle. Edith was knocked to the ground while Percy was stabbed. He suffered serious injuries and died before help could arrive. The attacker fled the scene. Neighbors later reported hearing a woman's screams. When the police arrived, Edith was in a distraught state.

The next day, police arrested Frederick Bywaters, who had been suspected of being involved in the attack. When confronted with the police, Edith admitted she knew him and described their relationship. Police found numerous letters from Edith to Bywaters, which suggested a deeper connection between the two, leading to further investigation.

In the days that followed, both Edith Thompson and Frederick Bywaters were charged with murder. Their trial began in December 1922. Throughout the trial, evidence against them included the love letters and testimony about Edith's knowledge of Bywaters' intentions.

On December 11, the jury found both defendants guilty. They were sentenced to death by hanging. In the days leading up to their execution, public opinions shifted dramatically, with many expressing sympathy for Edith. Despite petitions seeking clemency, their sentences were upheld.

On January 9, 1923, Edith Thompson and Frederick Bywaters were executed. They were buried in unmarked graves near the prisons where they were held.