Ruth Gertrude Brockstead

Ruth Gertrude Brockstead was found dead in a field off Watersplash Road in Sunbury-on-Thames on 27 April 1927.

Her body was found by a woman that had been walking her dog and had been attracted to a hedge by her growling dog. She said that when she went to look she found Ruth Brockstead's body beneath a tree in a field.

Ruth Brockstead was found holding an empty bottle of oxalic acid in her hand and clutching a handkerchief to her mouth with the other hand. A book of weird stories was also found by her side. It was titled, 'More Not a Night', a collection of uncanny stories.

Ruth Brockstead had lived in Forest Road, Dalston. She was last seen after absenting herself from business for two days.

Her mother said that she had never had any oxalic acid in the house and could not account for her daughter having any.

At her inquest the Coroner said that there was no evidence as to how or by whom the poison had been administered.

A policeman that gave evidence said that Ruth Brockstead had asked him for the way to the towing path.

An open verdict was returned.

Ruth Brockstead had been a typist and had worked in Russel Square in Bloomsbury.