Ross Buckton's Case Files

Autopsy report

Findings


Dead before she hit the water

Died of drug overdose

Bruising significant with being held down

Conclusions

Murdered

At least two people. One to hold down, one to administer injection.

Witness Statements

Dr Rachel Armstrong

I was just about to start making diner when Tony had left to go see Jack. It was only a few moments later when I had received a call on my mobile. It was Sam. She had sounded so scared, there was panic in her voice, I just stopped everything that I was doing, took off in my car and headed straight to the beach. But she wasn't there. She wasn't where she said she'd be. I then got out a torch, running up and down the beach looking for her, calling her name and yet I couldn't find her... I came across blood... It was just there in the sand. All thoughts were swimming in my mind. I hadn't seen anyone around and I was still quite concerned about Sam. I came back home and told Tony everything, it was a while after I then made a call to the police. I know I should have made the call before I went to go search for Sam but I was responding as a Doctor, I thought it would be more important to have her checked out at the hospital then be arrested. Since that phone call, there was no contact since.

Tony Holden

I got a call off Jack the night Sam had disappeared. He had sounded so distraught and upset after Rory had had a go at him... I met him at Stewart's Point, he appeared to be drinking as I sat in the car with him. I tried to calm him down after his disastrous meeting with Rory. Jack had seemed confused and I just kept advising him that I'll be there for him to help him through all the recent events. He's my son, it's a time like this when he needs his father's support. I stayed up there with him for awhile, yet came home leaving him there. I didn't want to, but he asked me too. It's understandable that he needed his own space. I had taken his keys though. In his state; I didn't want him to do anything stupid. I haven't seen him since, although I did assume he'll come back home at some point.

Morag Bellingham

I was on my way to the Surf Club; it was dark. I was just walking along and I had seen Sam at the car park. I called out for her as she locked the car doors and then had run off. She definitely seemed as if she was in a hurry, dashing off into the darkness. I chased after her for only a little while, still calling out her name. She acted as if she hadn't heard me call out her name so I decided to come back home and call the police. I hadn't seen anyone around. That's all I basically know.


Martha McKenzie

I hadn't had contact with Sam in the past twenty four hours. I'm quite concerned with Jack's sudden disappearance though, I have no idea where he could be. The scratches on my cheek, I was going for a run and fell into a tree; the branch had scratched my face (yeah, that excuse should work. This is the Summer Bay police force after all)... I can't see why I'm accused as a suspect though, how can she be murdered? There was a note and everything! Sam had killed herself. Whoever done the autopsy report must of made a mistake! OK, I lied about the scratches and I had seen her within the past twenty four hours. I found Sam in my house all alone after doing some groceries. She had wanted money and while I was just standing in front of her, figuring out what to do she just lashed out at me and scratched my face... I decided to go ahead with the meeting, went to an ATM, took out some cash and waited at the beach to meet her there later that night. I wasn't worried about my safety at all, I just wanted this woman to get out of my life, and I was scared for Jack's welfare... Sam had told me that she had some sort of evidence against Jack, and that she'll go to the police with it to harm his career. If I had called the police, she would have handed the evidence over. One thing is for sure though. I did not kill Sam Holden for him.

Jacinta Curtis

Sam and I weren't exactly what you call friends, we weren't all that close. She had called me last night. She wanted money. She wanted me to go to her house and take out some saved cash to give to her. I did it. Well not entirely. I met up with her; but I didn't give her the cash. I almost gave in to giving it to her though. I didn't because of Rory, I knew if I had helped her I would be sentencing him to a life on the run as well. I knew I should have given the police a call, I wasn't thinking straight, it had all happened so quickly. One thing is for sure though, Sam wouldn't have killed herself. She said that she had some big plan, that's why she wanted the money - she was going to go on the run with Rory. I felt sorry for her, that's why I decided to meet up with her, I thought I may be able to convince her to give herself up. Once I told her I wouldn't give her the money; she just took off. Believe me when I say this, the Sam I saw last night was not a woman who was about to give up on life.

Roman Harris

Martha had called me from the beach, so I went to go meet her there and when Sam didn't show up I sent her back to the Pier where Irene and Leah were. She had seemed shaken up, scared. I then waited on the beach, to see if Sam would show up. I waited for awhile, but she didn't show so I just ended up going back to the restaurant.

Colleen Smart

In my opinion, that Samantha was nothing but a twofaced minx! I never liked the girl. I was over Martha's place the other day when Sam had a go at her... "The only way you'll get him is to kill me first" that's what she had told Martha - word for word. "Him" being Constable Holden of course. Her tone was shocking; enough to push a saint to her limits. Sam was overly jealous of Martha, but of course Martha would never hurt her; even if the little minx did deserve it. Jack and Martha were made to be soul mates. They deserve every piece of happiness.

Jack Holden

I didn't see Sam after I dropped Johnny's letter off at the station, she took off from the hospital after her miscarriage and that was the last time I ever saw her. I'm lost for words. Sam's dead; she was my wife. Though let's set one thing straight - I was not the person who killed her. I went to go visit Rory that night. What had happened between us was not what I had expected. I was upset, I was shocked; I felt as if I began to lose my state of mind. After I left Rory, I came back to the Bay. It was dark by the time I got back here. I really didn't feel like going back to the house... Too many painful memories; I just couldn't face it just yet. I ended up at Stewart's Point instead. I didn't try to contact Sam; I didn't even know she was back in the Bay. After awhile, I called Dad. I needed to talk to someone, I was going insane. He was with me for about half an hour; maybe more. After he left I stayed in the car for awhile, I must have passed out from the alcohol. I woke up a few hours later, not feeling the best so I decided to go down for a swim. I woke up on the beach feeling saturated. I'm feeling quite blank from those moments; a lot of it I don't remember.


Other Evidence

Suicide note - notepaper from a pad at Martha McKenzie's house.

Hair in Sam's car - confirmed as Martha McKenzie's

DNA under fingernails - confirmed as Martha McKenzie's

Letter from Sam - gives Jack Holden and Martha McKenzie motive