Case of MJ

Alavandar Murder Case

  • Victim: Mr. Alavandar, 42 years old, former military sub-divisional officer.

  • Murder Date: Afternoon of 28.08.1952.

  • Murderer: Prabhakar Menon, assisted by his wife, Jenifer.

  • Motive: Jenifer confessed to being seduced by Alavandar before marriage.

  • Discovery of Body:

    • Headless trunk found on 29.08.1952 in the 3rd class compartment of the Indo-Ceylon Express train at Mannamadurai.

    • Head located by police on 31.08.1952 at Royapuram sea beach.

Identification of Remains

  • Identified by Dr. K.C Jacob:

    1. Trunk Identification:

      • Fingerprint impression matched service book.

      • Circumcised penis (history of circumcision).

      • Personal items: green socks and waist thread identified by his wife.

    2. Head Identification:

      • Overriding canine teeth in upper jaw.

      • Peculiar small holes in earlobes (two in right and one in left).

    3. Connection between Head and Trunk:

      • Reciprocal appearance at decapitation site.

      • Male features confirmed in both remains.

  • Height Estimate:

    • Overall: 5 feet 5 inches.

    • Trunk: 4 ft 9 inches.

    • Head: 8.1/4".

    • Service register indicated 5 feet 4.2/1".

The Ruxton Case

  • Date & Discovery: 29th September 1935, remains found in Gardenholme Linn below the bridge on the Moffat-Edinburgh road.

  • Condition of Remains:

    • Mutilated and dismembered: two heads, thorax, pelvis, limbs, three breasts, female external genitals, and uterus removed.

    • Evidence of sex removed; ears, eyes, noses, lips, and faces skinned; teeth extracted; finger joints removed to prevent identification.

Victims Identified

  • Remains belonged to:

    • Mrs. Isabella Ruxton: wife of Dr. Ruxton, 35 years old.

    • Miss Mary Rogerson: nurse-maid, 20 years old.

  • Disappeared on 15th September 1935.

Investigative Findings

  • Skull photographs matched with heads of victims.

  • Casts of reconstructed feet fitted shoes of Mrs. Ruxton and Miss Rogerson.

  • Evidence Found in Dr. Ruxton's House:

    • Blood stains in bathroom, on bannister, stair rails, carpets, and surgical towels.

    • Particles of human tissue found in drains.

  • Arrest: Dr. Ruxton, charged with the murder of Isabella Ruxton and Mary Rogerson.

  • Outcome: Found guilty and sentenced to death.