In the new episode of Daily Mail podcast – The Psychology of a Serial Killer, forensic psychiatrist Dr Andrew Johns and police surgeon Dr Harry Brujnes revisit a case that shocked 1930s Britain but has since been largely forgotten.
The podcast examines history’s most notorious medical murderers – those who pervert their positions of trust as doctors or nurses to prey on the public.
The latest episode, released today focuses on the 1935 murders of Dr Buck Ruxton, a man so clinical in the disposal of his victims’ bodies that the case broke ground in the fledgling field of forensic science.
Listen to The Psychology of a Serial Killer below or by clicking here.
In the latest episode of The Psychology of a Serial Killer, forensic psychiatrist Dr Andrew Johns (left) and police surgeon Dr Harry Brujnes (right) revisit a case that shocked 1930s Britain but has since been largely forgotten. Listen here.
This episode focuses on the 1935 murders of Dr Buck Ruxton, a man so clinical in the disposal of his victims’ bodies that the case broke ground in the fledgling field of forensic science
The Dastardly Deeds of Dr Buck Ruxton
Buck Ruxton was born in Mumbai, India in 1899. After qualifying as a doctor at the University of Bombay in 1922, Ruxton left his wife and child to set up a practice in Lancaster, northwest England.
Originally named Bukhtyar Hakim, the young doctor chose the name Buck Ruxton upon arriving to Britain.
By 1930, Ruxton had established himself in Lancaster and had begun a common law marriage with Isabella Kerr, a local woman.
‘He was known to be a respected and compassionate doctor,’ Dr Harry Brujnes told The Psychology of a Serial Killer podcast.
‘Ruxton had three children with Isabella, and it appears his reputation and social standing in the community were very important to him.’
Behind closed doors, Ruxton was vicious to his wife. Police were repeatedly called to domestic violence incidents, driven by his obsessive belief that Isabella was being unfaithful.
In September 1935, the paranoia erupted. Ruxton instigated what became known as the jigsaw murders, due to how brutally mutilated his victims were.
‘He strangled and repeatedly stabbed his wife to death’, Dr Andrew Johns said.
‘At the same time, he bludgeoned the housemaid, Mary Rogerson, as she had witnessed the event.
‘Fifteen days later, the multiple, mutilated remains of the two bodies were found under a bridge near Moffat, Scotland.
‘Autopsies confirmed that the bodies had been brutalised. The eyes, ears, lips, teeth and fingernails of the victims were clinically excised to make identification difficult.’
Ruxton instigated what became known as the jigsaw murders, due to how brutally mutilated his victims were
Isabella Ruxton was last seen on September 14, 1935. Dr. Ruxton claimed that she had gone with Mary Rogerson to Edinburgh, but her clothing was still in the house
Dr Harry Brujnes: ‘There are paralells to Jack the Ripper here.’ Listen now
‘There are parallels to Jack the Ripper here’, Dr Harry Brujnes commented.
‘Ruxton didn’t just murder, he clinically and surgically dissected. He was clearly somebody with extensive anatomical knowledge.
‘It’s a horrific thought: one day, this woman is your wife and the next, you are cutting out her eyes.’
Police already knew Ruxton well – he had made repeated tearful visits to the station, ranting about his wife’s alleged affairs, claiming she had run-off with a lover.
A speculative search of Ruxton’s home revealed damning evidence – bloodstains on the stairs, in the bathroom, and throughout the house. He was arrested immediately.
However, the bodies still couldn’t be identified due to the doctor’s surgical precision – threatening to derail any potential prosecution.
Investigators employed the novel strategy of X-raying the skull of one of the bodies and superimposing it on a photograph of Isabella to confirm a match.
The Ruxton case pioneered what is now known as forensic anthropology in criminal investigations.
The bodies still couldn’t be identified due to the doctor’s surgical precision – threatening to derail any potential prosecution
The skulls of Isabella and Mary were the recent subject of a BBC appeal by Edinburgh University, who are seeking relatives of the women to finally lay their remains to rest
Dr Andrew Johns explained what happened next: ‘The Trial opened in March 1936 at Manchester High Court – the prosecution called numerous witnesses to support the case that inflamed by jealousy, Ruxton had committed two murders.
‘The sole witness to testify on behalf of the defence was Ruxton himself. He conducted himself poorly on the stand, prone to hysterical sobbing and rambling statements.
‘The jury would deliberate for just one hour before returning a guilty verdict.
‘Despite a petition from Lancaster residents containing 10,000 signatures, which urged clemency for Ruxton – he was hanged at Her Majesty’s Prison, Manchester.’
The skulls of Isabella and Mary were the recent subject of a BBC appeal by Edinburgh University, who are seeking relatives of the women to finally lay their remains to rest.
To hear more horrifying detail about the Ruxton case, search for The Psychology of a Serial Killer. Out now, wherever you get your podcasts.
