Small Town Dicks

Attention: Today's episode was made for listeners who have already heard the entire "Beyond Recognition" series. If you haven't yet, or want to refresh your memory, we urge you to listen to all six episodes before you listen to today's episode. There are SPOILERS GALORE AHEAD! Ever wonder what Detectives Dan and Dave, Paul Holes, and Yeardley Smith would make of the police work in "Beyond Recognition?" Well, the team recently sat down to discuss all the fascinating twists and turns at the heart of one of the most consequential murder investigations in modern history. Join them as they discuss the momentous strides made in forensic science and crime scene management, the tireless and often inspired work of the detectives trying to solve the grisly case, and a few missteps made along the way. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lead prosecutor Joseph Cooksey Jackson sits with his right-hand man, Maxwell Fyfe, discussing their mounting concerns about the forensic evidence. Jackson knows the stakes are high. The success of their case hinges on presenting complex forensic evidence in a way that a jury of laymen can understand. They don’t want any doubts, reasonable or otherwise, sneaking in. Despite the damning evidence against Ruxton, the case is entirely circumstantial, and the defense is poised to challenge the identification of the bodies. Branded as the Trial of the Century by the newspapers, the Ruxton case captures global attention with its sensational details and groundbreaking forensics. With 106 witnesses, 213 exhibits, and 126 graphic photos, the prosecution faces the challenge of making their case comprehensible and compelling. "Beyond Recognition," hosted by Yeardley Smith, delves into this pivotal episode where modern forensics and legal strategy collide. Join us as we explore the intricacies of the Ruxton trial and the monumental efforts to bring a double murderer to justice. To support Small Town Dicks, visit https://www.patreon.com/smalltowndickspodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John Milligan, a reporter from the UK's biggest tabloid, News of the World, finds himself in the home of Dr. Buck Ruxton, now the prime suspect in the disappearance—and likely murder—of his wife Isabella and their nanny Mary Rogerson. Since the women vanished nearly a month ago, Ruxton has spun a web of lies, claiming they ran away to Scotland - or was it Blackpool? But with the discovery of the mutilated body parts found in Moffatt, suspicion has focused squarely on Ruxton. Milligan notes the doctor's panic as he clings to his fabricated stories, unaware that the police are closing in. As the investigation intensifies, Ruxton's arrest becomes inevitable. The authorities have identified the bodies and they are now racing to build a solid case against the doctor. From fingerprinting mutilated fingertips to using advanced photography and even maggots to tell the time of death, this case marks the birth of modern forensics. But how will all this newfangled science go down in a courtroom in 1935 England? "Beyond Recognition" hosted by Yeardley Smith, delves into this sensational case that has gripped the UK, drawing unprecedented media coverage. Join us as we uncover the truth behind Ruxton's heinous crimes and the forensic breakthroughs that brought him to justice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Peter Rogerson is desperate and furious. His sister Mary, the Ruxton family’s nanny, has been missing for nearly two weeks. Peter, defying social norms, confronts Dr. Buck Ruxton at his doorstep, demanding answers. Despite Ruxton's attempts to deflect him with tales of theft and a trip to Scotland for an illegal abortion, Peter is not convinced. He fears something terrible has happened and that Ruxton is behind it. Meanwhile, top forensic experts in the UK have begun to unmask the identities of the dismembered bodies discovered in a Scottish ravine. Using groundbreaking techniques, they piece together a puzzle as complex as any in the history of modern forensic science. And, in doing so, they begin to find a tragic answer to Peter Rogerson’s desperate query. Hosted by Yeardley Smith, "Beyond Recognition" delves into the chilling details of this case. Featuring insights from experts like Tom Wood, Paul Holes, and Professor Sue Black, this episode uncovers the revolutionary advances in forensic techniques that were employed and the critical mistakes that nearly let a killer go free. As the press begins to circle, Ruxton faces an adversary he never anticipated: the most powerful voice in the United Kingdom—the media. To binge the series or support Small Town Dicks, visit https://www.patreon.com/smalltowndickspodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the early morning of September 15, 1935, Agnes Oxley, a housekeeper at the home of Dr. Buck Ruxton, is roused from her sleep by an unexpected visitor. Ruxton, usually composed and well-groomed, stands disheveled and agitated at her door. Oxley finds his nervous behavior and insistence that she stay away from the house for the day odd to say the least. Little does she know, this is the beginning of a macabre tale. Dr. Ruxton, a respected physician, is hiding a dark secret. His increasing paranoia and jealousy have culminated in a violent outburst, leading to the brutal murder of his wife, Isabella, and their young nanny, Mary Rogerson. Over the course of a gruesome night, Ruxton dismembers their bodies, utilizing his knowledge of medicine and police forensics to meticulously conceal his crime. As the narrative unfolds, you will be taken through the chilling events of that fateful Sunday. You will hear Ruxton's elaborate efforts to cover up his actions. How he deceived friends and lied to authorities. And how his ingenious plan to cover up the murders slowly unravels. "Beyond Recognition" hosted by Yeardley Smith, delves into one of the most shocking murder cases of the early 20th century. With insights from experts like Tom Wood, Paul Holes, and Professor Sue Black, this episode not only recounts the gruesome details but also examines the psychological and forensic aspects of the case. To binge the series or support Small Town Dicks, visit https://www.patreon.com/smalltowndickspodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The leading forensic scientists from Scotland have traveled to the tiny village of Moffatt to examine the body parts discovered in a ravine by a sister and brother out hiking. Authorities do not yet know how many people were killed, or by what method, or where or when; they certainly do not know who the victims are. Whoever carried out this act of evil took great care to hide the victims’ identities, dissecting them until they were beyond recognition. It will take a monumental, groundbreaking investigation to solve this gruesome puzzle. The first order of business is to collect the evidence and, lucky for all involved, the right policeman had arrived to do just that. Meanwhile, in the northern British town of Lancaster, we meet an unusual couple. He’s a prim and proper doctor from Bombay, intent on becoming a true English gentleman. She’s a charismatic, outgoing woman ahead of her time - perhaps dangerously so. Their romance appears to be the envy of everyone in town. But their passionate relationship swiftly turns to jealousy and violence. What, if anything, does this volatile domestic situation have to do with the bodies found in the ravine? "Beyond Recognition" hosted by Yeardley Smith, delves into one of the most shocking murder cases of the early 20th century. With insights from experts like Tom Wood, Paul Holes, and Professor Sue Black, this episode not only recounts the gruesome details but also examines the psychological and forensic aspects of the case. To binge the series or support Small Town Dicks, visit https://www.patreon.com/smalltowndickspodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s a crisp autumn morning in a serene Scottish town called Moffatt. A brother and sister have gone out for a stroll through the woods. As they cross an old stone bridge, they see something in the dry stream bed below. It appears to be a severed arm, the hand reaching up from the dirt. It looks like it’s waving at them. To their horror, they learn the hand is just one of dozens of pieces of human remains scattered across the ravine. This grisly discovery, made on September 29, 1935, will trigger a murder investigation like something out of an Agatha Christie novel. News of the dismembered bodies and speculation of who they are and what happened to them, will draw the kind of global media coverage not seen since Jack the Ripper. The drive to solve the murders will spark a new era in crime scene management and forensic examination in what might very well be the first modern homicide investigation of the 20th century. "Beyond Recognition" hosted by Yeardley Smith, delves into one of the most shocking murder cases of the early 20th century. With insights from experts like Tom Wood, Paul Holes, and Professor Sue Black, this episode not only recounts the gruesome details but also examines the psychological and forensic aspects of the case. To binge the series or support Small Town Dicks, visit https://www.patreon.com/smalltowndickspodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It was a crime like no other, unleashing horrors not seen since Jack the Ripper. On a crisp autumn morning in 1935, a brother and sister out for a walk in the Scottish countryside stumbled upon dozens of packages containing dissected human remains. Who - or what - could have done this? Now largely forgotten, the Ruxton case grabbed worldwide attention. A real-life Agatha Christie mystery, the gruesome details of the murders would shock the public and test the ability of police to keep the public safe. The case was also the birthplace of modern forensic science. It would alter the course of how murders are investigated. Hosted by Yeardley Smith of Small Town Dicks, “Beyond Recognition” is a 6-part series that delves into one of the most important murder cases of the early 20th century. Inspired by a book from famed Scottish police detective Tom Wood, it features the insights of Paul Holes, Dame Sue Black, and other leading experts who not only recount the grisly crime but examine the psychological and forensic aspects of the case. To binge the series and support Small Town Dicks., visit patron.com/smalltowndicks Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we bring you a replay of a case from Season 8. It's called The World's End and the detective who told us the story is Tom Wood. Tom was part of the investigation and recently wrote a book about it called, "The World's End Murders: The Final Verdict." Tom wrote another book, "Ruxton: The First Modern Murder," which is the basis of a series that will launch July 19 here on the Small Town Dicks feed. It's hosted by Yeardley and features Paul Holes and a range of other forensic experts. If you want to binge it, go over to Patreon and become a member. Otherwise, we'll see you here in two weeks! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As you know, we take pride in celebrating the diligent work law enforcement performs everyday on Small Town Dicks. But sometimes, it's the selfless act of a well-meaning citizen who saves the day. And that’s what happened on the day we pick up this case and an older couple decided to step-in when they saw something wrong. This story has everything - a car chase, a remote cabin full of hair-raising evidence, a suspect on the verge of a terrible crime, and, most importantly, a little girl who is alive today because two people decided to do something. The detective: Detective Jamie Jamie has been in law enforcement for over eight years. She worked patrol for two and a half years before landing in her position as a detective, where her primary caseload is child abuse and sex crimes. Jamie is a member of her county's Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT), Inter-Agency Deadly Force Investigative Team (IDFIT), and Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children Task Force (CSEC). She loves reading, concerts, and beach vacations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Detective Lindsey is back with a case she's called her "worst nightmare." An unknown man has committed a series of home break-ins that include terrorizing of victims and violent sexual assaults. Each time, the suspect only gets more brazen and police are anxious to find a lead. Working with a task force of local agencies, and a specialist who has learned the art of tracking human, Lindsey and her team rush to stop the perpetrator before anyone else gets hurt. Subscribe to Patreon for ad free episodes! The detective: Det. Lindsey Past bio - Lindsey served as a Tacoma Police Officer for twenty-one years. During her fourteen years as a detective, she investigated sexual assaults, child abuse, missing persons, and homicides. In 2010, Lindsey discovered serial killer Ted Bundy’s DNA was not in CODIS. She worked with authorities in Florida to track down a sample of Bundy’s DNA and finally entered it into the national database in 2011. In 2012, Lindsey’s work on collecting DNA from convicted sexual predators in Washington state who’d slipped through the cracks led to an arrest in the 1980 homicide of a teenage girl. Lindsey retired in 2018 as the Tacoma Police Department’s cold case detective and joined the Washington State Attorney General’s Office as a senior investigator assigned for the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative. She is a former member of the FBI ViCAP National Advisory Board and teaches child abduction response and cold case investigations for the National Criminal Justice Training Center at Fox Valley Technical College. Lindsey has been a speaker at numerous law enforcement conferences around the country, lecturing on cold cases, sex crimes, DNA, and child abduction response. She recently published a true crime memoir titled, “In My DNA: My Career Investigating Your Worst Nightmares”. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A body discovered in a public green space leaves detectives puzzled - and a community of unhoused folks lobbing blame at each other. As Deputy Brandon investigates, he encounters increasingly wilder stories about what might have happened. A bloody axe, Satanic rituals, and an astonishing discovery made at the bottom of a burn barrel, all come into play to as Brandon delves into this most unusual case. The detective: Deputy Brandon Deputy Brandon has been in law enforcement for 17 years; 9 of them as a detective. He was a member of his county's major assault death investigation unit and a neighboring county's major crime team. He's investigated more than 60 murders, as well as major assaults, rapes, robberies, and other felony crimes. He is currently employed with his county Sheriff's office. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

No one wants to feel unsafe in their home and no one understands this better than Detective Dan. So when an older couple returns from vacation to find their house has been burgled, he jumps on the case. Dan discovers two young men in the neighborhood whose stories aren't adding up and he won't let up until he gets to the truth. Bonus: Dan shares practical tips for anyone looking to protect their home and property. The detective: Detective Dan Det. Dan was formerly a K9 handler and Violent Crimes detective at the same Small Town police department as his brother. Dan regards his years as a K9 handler to be the most rewarding of his career. He is now retired. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An inexperienced young detective is sent to a small island in Scotland, where he discovers a string of over a hundred assault cases that have yet to be closed. Everyone on the island - including his superiors - knows exactly who committed the crimes, but they're unable to bring him to justice. Suddenly, Detective Constable Simon is asking questions - and ruffling some feathers in the process. Good old-fashioned detective work helps him break open a case that he says cemented him as a respective detective. The detective: Detective Constable Simon Simon joined the force in 1978 and retired in 2006. During his tenure, Simon worked in the drugs and major crimes unit, in the Serious Crime Squad, did surveillance and undercover work, and worked in anti-terrorism, organized crime and corruption. After his retirement, he ran his own investigation business for a number of years. Simon is the founder of LEAP Scotland, part of a global campaign to change laws to end the 'war on drugs.' He has own community radio show and YouTube Channel, and is co-host of the Crime Time Inc. podcast with Small Town Dicks's favorite Tom Woods. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A dangerous American expat living in the cold, unforgiving lands in the extreme north of British Columbia is on the loose after stealing from a fellow survivalist. Keenly aware of the danger this man poses, The Royal Canadian Mounted Police launch a manhunt. This is a place of snow shoes and dogsleds, trappers and hunters. Constable Garry and his team set out to capture this man, known as Oros. It's late winter, and Oris is armed and dangerous. And he knows the area better than the men charged with catching him. The detective: Constable Garry Garry Rodgers has lived the life he writes about. He is a retired homicide detective, coroner, and SWAT Team sniper with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. He has written and published 21 books as well as hosting a popular blog site called DyingWords.net. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A violent double murder that made headlines in a far away town has Detective Matt going undercover. After hearing the suspect might be on the run in his town, Matt posts up near a seedy motel to track him down. But the suspect escapes with the help of a family member. This leads Matt to do one of the most brazen acting jobs of his career in hopes he can catch a killer. The detective: Detective Matt Detective Matt grew up in Pennsylvania. He joined the police department shortly after graduating college. He worked in patrol at first and then moved to the street crimes unit before he started as an undercover narcotics investigator. He went on to join a DEA task force and worked to infiltrate a group threatening a major political party’s national convention. He received a medal of valor for his efforts. He moved to another state and worked as a deputy for several years and is now retired from law enforcement. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

McNeil Island off the coast of Washington state is inaccessible by any road and not welcome to most visitors. Once the site of a state prison, the island is now home to a most unwelcome and dangerous inhabitant: Violent sexual predators who have served their prison sentences but are deemed too dangerous to return to society. These men have been banished from society and largely forgotten about. And that last part, Detective Lindsey Wade finds out, is a problem. Lindsey specializes in DNA cold cases and she knows that some of the men of McNeil Island might be responsible for other crimes. She wants to test and record their DNA. As she works to make this happen, she stumbles upon a decades-old murder. Will she find the answers on the island of the banished? The detective: Lindsey Wade Lindsey served as a Tacoma Police Officer for twenty-one years. During her fourteen years as a detective, she investigated sexual assaults, child abuse, missing persons, and homicides. In 2010, Lindsey discovered that serial killer Ted Bundy’s DNA was not in CODIS. She worked with authorities in Florida to track down a sample of Bundy’s DNA and finally entered it into the national database in 2011. In 2012, Lindsey’s work on collecting DNA from convicted sexual predators in Washington state who’d slipped through the cracks led to an arrest in the 1980 homicide of a teenage girl. Lindsey retired in 2018 as the Tacoma Police Department’s cold case detective and joined the Washington State Attorney General’s Office as a senior investigator assigned for the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative. She is a former member of the FBI ViCAP National Advisory Board and teaches child abduction response and cold case investigations for the National Criminal Justice Training Center at Fox Valley Technical College. Lindsey has been a speaker at numerous law enforcement conferences around the country, lecturing on cold cases, sex crimes, DNA, and child abduction response. She recently published a true crime memoir titled, “In My DNA: My Career Investigating Your Worst Nightmares”. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Detective Sgt. Robert catches a young man soliciting sex from a middle school girl. A careful investigation leads to the suspect's arrest and conviction. Robert is hopeful that the victim is now safe but a few years later, he discovers that another man has targeted the same girl. And the identity of the suspect has the detective shaking his head. Fortunately, he is once again able to get the victim a measure of justice. The detective: Sgt. Robert Sgt. Robert has been in law enforcement for over 20 years. Prior to becoming a detective, he spent nine years on patrol, where he served as a Field Training Officer (FTO) and an FBI-trained hostage negotiator. As a detective, he worked in a unit that investigated crimes against children, including sex crimes, serious physical abuse and child homicides. He was later re-assigned to the violent crimes unit, where he investigated homicides, robberies and other serious felonies. He was an active member of his county’s major crimes team, which investigated homicides and officer-involved shootings. After 10 years in investigations, Robert was promoted to sergeant. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Police get what is a far too common call: A grown man has snuck into the DMs of a child and is now soliciting sex. The perpetrator is quickly caught and swears he'll never do it again and in doing so, he escapes prosecution. Three years pass and Detective Jaime gets another call about an online predator - and it turns out to be the same suspect following the same script. Jaime goes undercover to lure the suspect out for a meeting. Along the way, she dodges close calls that might give away her identity and scare off the predator before he's caught. Through excellent police work, the detective is able to confirm: Revenge is sweet. The detective: Detective Jamie Jamie has been in law enforcement for over eight years. She worked patrol for two and a half years before landing in her position as a detective, where her primary caseload is child abuse and sex crimes. Jamie is a member of her county's Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT), Inter-Agency Deadly Force Investigative Team (IDFIT), and Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children Task Force (CSEC). She loves reading, concerts, and beach vacations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At the end of our first episode, Lieutenant John had apprehended a suspect in a brutal, but seemingly random home invasion murder. Now, after trying to find out what might have motivated the suspect, John hears an innocent question from a neighbor about what John assumes is an unrelated death. Always the dogged investigator, John starts to piece together a disturbing puzzle. He launches a new investigation and makes a chilling discovery that had been overlooked by local authorities. Now his suspect is looking less like a violent opportunist and more like a calculating serial killer. The detective: Homicide Lieutenant John Homicide Lieutenant John spent more than two decades as a police officer, including 17 years as a Senior Homicide Inspector. Following his retirement from the force, John spent eight years as senior inspector in the homicide unit of his county’s District Attorney's Office. He was then promoted to Lieutenant and now supervises other senior inspectors. He has investigated more than 400 homicide cases in his career. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.