Skulls of grisly ‘Jigsaw Murder’ victims found in Scots uni store cupboard 90 years later

Skulls of grisly ‘Jigsaw Murder’ victims found in Scots uni store cupboard 90 years later

A search is currently underway to locate the families of two women who fell victim to the gruesome ‘Jigsaw Murders’ 90 years ago, following the rediscovery of their skulls in a store cupboard at Edinburgh University. Dr. Buck Ruxton committed the heinous murders of his wife, Isabella, and their children’s nanny, Mary Rogerson, in 1935. To prevent identification, he mutilated their bodies by removing eyes, teeth, and fingertips before dumping their remains near Moffat in the Borders, an area that would later be known as “Ruxton’s Dump”.

The case captured worldwide attention when authorities uncovered 70 body parts, including two severed heads, in the vicinity. Edinburgh University played a pivotal role in utilising forensic science to build a case against Ruxton, leading to his subsequent hanging for his wife’s murder. Nearly nine decades later, the victims’ skulls and other remains have resurfaced in the university’s archive, prompting a plea from professors to track down their descendants for a proper burial.

Professor Tom Gillingwater, an anatomy expert at the university, expressed the institution’s commitment to honouring Isabella and Mary by potentially reuniting them with their families. The tragic events unfolded against a backdrop of alleged jealousy on Ruxton’s part towards his wife’s male acquaintances, amid reports of domestic abuse. Mary and Isabella were eventually reported missing, with their dismembered and disfigured remains discovered beneath a bridge close to Moffat.

Forensic scientists from Edinburgh and Glasgow universities collaborated to piece together the fragmented bodies, with Professors Sydney Smith and John Glaister particularly instrumental in identifying the victims and implicating Ruxton as the perpetrator due to the distinctive mutilations he inflicted. The sensational case dubbed “The Jigsaw Murders” marked a turning point in forensic science, leading to Ruxton’s execution in 1936.

The recent rediscovery of the women’s remains was spurred by a student’s inquiry in the Netherlands, prompting the university to launch a public appeal to locate any surviving relatives. Notably, it remains unknown if Ruxton and Isabella’s three orphaned children were ever informed of their father’s criminal actions. Mary Rogerson is believed to have family in Morecambe, while Isabella’s sister resided in Edinburgh at the time of the murders.

Acknowledging the evolution of medical ethics, Professor Gillingwater affirmed the university’s intent to navigate this sensitive situation with utmost regard for moral principles. The resurgence of this haunting case serves as a stark reminder of the profound impact of modern forensic science and its role in delivering justice. The enduring quest to connect these long-lost souls with their rightful families underscores the enduring significance of seeking closure and honouring the memory of the tragic ‘Jigsaw Murder’ victims.