A chilling forensic photograph from the investigation into Lancaster doctor Buck Ruxton, who murdered his partner Isabella and their housemaid Mary Rogerson in 1935. Pioneering forensic techniques helped identify their dismembered remains. Ruxton was hanged in May 1936placeholder image
A chilling forensic photograph from the investigation into Lancaster doctor Buck Ruxton, who murdered his partner Isabella and their housemaid Mary Rogerson in 1935. Pioneering forensic techniques helped identify their dismembered remains. Ruxton was hanged in May 1936 | Contributed

Murder most foul and the killers who shocked Lancashire

By James Reader
Published 6th Nov 2026, 05:30 GMT

From serial killers and Victorian poisoners to gruesome murders that shocked the nation, these chilling archive photographs reveal the faces behind some of Lancashire's most infamous crimes – and the extraordinary local connections of killers who made headlines around the world

Lancashire has been linked to some of Britain's most shocking murder cases, from Buck Ruxton's gruesome crimes in Lancaster to the Pottery Cottage killings by Preston-born Billy Hughes.

Other notorious names have connections to the historic county of Lancashire through childhood homes, their victims or its historic boundaries.

These archive photographs reveal the faces and stories behind crimes that made national headlines.

An early photograph Sarah Ann Ricketts murdered by Louisa Merrifield in 1953. Sarah was 79 when she was murdered. This pic is thought to be from the 1890s

9. Killed for her bungalow

An early photograph Sarah Ann Ricketts murdered by Louisa Merrifield in 1953. Sarah was 79 when she was murdered. This pic is thought to be from the 1890s | Contributed

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Alfred Merrifield, with the police, outside the bungalow on Devonshire Road. The jury eventually failed to reach a verdict on Mr Merrifield but convicted his wife Louisa

10. Not guilty

Alfred Merrifield, with the police, outside the bungalow on Devonshire Road. The jury eventually failed to reach a verdict on Mr Merrifield but convicted his wife Louisa | Johnston Press

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Donald Neilson, was captured in Rainworth by Mansfield police officers PC White and PC MacKenzie

11. Psychopathic killer

Donald Neilson, was captured in Rainworth by Mansfield police officers PC White and PC MacKenzie | Contributed

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Paul Cullen who helped capture serial killer Donald Neilson in 1975

12. Hero

Paul Cullen who helped capture serial killer Donald Neilson in 1975 | Johnston Press Resell

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