Focusing on the lives of the women behind one of Britain's most notorious murder cases 90 years on

Marking 90 years since the tragic deaths of two Lancaster women, Lancaster City Council is hosting an exhibition that shifts the spotlight from one of Britain's most infamous murderers, Buck Ruxton, to the lives of his two victims: Isabella Ruxton and Mary Ann Rogerson.

The exhibition offers a deeply human perspective on the women behind the tragic story of jealousy, panic and murder. It focuses on Belle and Mary as individuals with families, friends and futures that were cruelly cut short at the hands of Ruxton in Britain’s most notorious murder cases.

Mary Ann Rogerson, from Morecambe, was a nurse maid for the Ruxton’s and was just shy of her 20th birthday when she was murdered after unfortunately witnessing Ruxton strangling his wife Bella.

The exhibition features personal items from Mary’s life, including a heartfelt letter to a friend describing her joyful summer holiday and how she will find going back to work difficult after such a holiday, and of a new red dress that she is sewing.

It also features a postcard photograph showing her radiant smile in her housemaid’s uniform.

These rare artifacts, preserved by her family, offer an intimate glimpse into the life of a young woman full of promise.

Isabella Ruxton, born Isabella Proudfoot Kerr, was a vivacious mother of three who lived in a common-law relationship with Buck Ruxton - an unusual arrangement for the time. She was 34-years-old when she was killed in September 1935.

The exhibition explores her life before the tragedy, highlighting her love of dancing, people, and family.

Curators have drawn from Lancaster City Museum’s collection to present objects that tell the story, including Ruxton’s 1934 personal diary, a letter requesting credit at a bookmaker, medical scalpels, and cufflinks.

Lancaster City Council’s cabinet member with responsibility for museums, Councillor Sam Riches, said that following the recent internments of Belle and Mary that it felt fitting to host an exhibition focusing on their lives.

“Too often, stories like these centre on the perpetrator. We wanted to give voices to the victims and show they were real women with real lives.

“Recent visits from Mary’s relatives have added new layers of understanding and emotion, reinforcing the museum’s role in preserving local stories and keeping community stories alive.

“While the story of Buck Ruxton is well known, it seems only right that 90 years after their deaths that both Belle and Mary’s lives and stories are remembered.”

Belle and Mary – The Two Dalton Square Murders is currently being shown at Lancaster City Museum and will run until the end of December.

More information about the exhibitions at Lancaster City Museum can be found at  Exhibitions - Lancaster City Council

To watch the video and hear the story of the women before their lives were cut short at the hands of Buck Ruxton, see: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1SbZtTPtYZ/

Last updated: 17 September 2025