In a chilling tale of mystery and murder in the Welsh countryside, neglected cows and strips of cotton led to the capture of a notorious double murderer. It all began in October 1953 when John and Phoebe Harries, a diligent farming couple from Derlwyn Farm, went missing. Known for their meticulous care of livestock, their sudden disappearance and the overlooking of their cattle raised alarms in the peaceful village of St Clears.
Enter Superintendent John Capstick from Scotland Yard, who quickly suspected Ronnie Harries, a distant relative and local farmhand, was behind the vanishing act. Ronnie claimed the couple had taken an impromptu holiday to London, yet those close to John and Phoebe were sceptical. Their last-minute holiday plans simply didn’t add up.
With no bodies, no proof, but a growing suspicion, Capstick set a clever trap. Strips of cotton were cleverly placed across the farm’s entry points to detect disturbances. Ronnie’s repeated visits to the crime scene led officers to discover something off about a kale field on his parents’ farm. The crops, dying in one spot, hinted at recent soil disturbance. And there, beneath the ground, lay the bodies of John and Phoebe Harries, victims of a brutal, premeditated murder committed with a hammer.
Ronnie Harries was tried and became the last person to receive a death sentence in Carmarthen. Despite his confident exterior, he faced retribution for his horrendous crimes. This story not only rocked the serene village but also became a notorious chapter in Wales’ history, highlighting how small details and sharp police work can unravel the darkest of deeds.