John Henry George Lee, known as "Babbacombe" Lee, was born on August 15, 1864, in Abbotskerswell, Devon, England. He came from a working-class family and had a troubled youth. He joined the Royal Navy but was later discharged. After leaving the navy, he struggled to find steady work and became involved in theft, leading to a criminal record.

By 1884, Lee was working as a servant for an elderly woman named Emma Keyse at her home in Babbacombe Bay, near Torquay. Keyse was known for her wealth and generosity, and she had taken Lee into her household despite his past criminal behavior. However, their working relationship was tense, and Lee was suspected of stealing from her.

On the morning of November 15, 1884, 68-year-old Emma Keyse was found murdered in her home. She had been struck on the head multiple times, and her throat was cut. The house had also been set on fire, but the flames were put out before they spread too far. Lee, who was the only male servant in the house, was immediately suspected. He had a fresh wound on his arm, which he could not explain. Although there was little solid evidence against him, he was arrested and charged with the murder.

During his trial, the prosecution relied on circumstantial evidence. They argued that Lee had financial motives, as he had been accused of theft before. He also had access to the house and was present at the scene. Despite weak evidence, the jury found him guilty, and on February 5, 1885, he was sentenced to death by hanging.

Lee’s execution was scheduled for February 23, 1885, at Exeter Prison. However, in a bizarre turn of events, the execution failed three times. Each time, the trapdoor beneath him refused to open, even though it had been tested beforehand and was working fine. The prison officials were stunned, and after the third attempt, the medical officer refused to continue. News of the failed execution spread quickly, and many saw it as a sign of divine intervention.

As a result, Lee's death sentence was commuted to life in prison by the Home Secretary. He remained in prison for 22 years before being released in 1907. After his release, he lived a quiet life, but details about his later years remain unclear. Some reports suggest he moved to the United States under the name James Lee and died on March 19, 1945.

His story became legendary, earning him the nickname "The Man They Couldn’t Hang." Over the years, his case has been the subject of books, plays, and even a 1971 album by the British folk rock band Fairport Convention titled "Babbacombe" Lee.