John Rowles | |
|---|---|
 Snowy Rowles standing beside James Ryan's car, photographed by Arthur Upfield | |
| Born | John Thomas Smith 1905 |
| Died | 13 June 1932 (aged 26) |
| Cause of death | Execution by hanging |
| Other names | Snowy Rowles |
| Motive | Financial gain |
| Conviction(s) | Wilful murder Theft |
| Criminal penalty | Death |
| Details | |
| Victims | 3 |
Span of crimes | 1929–1930 |
| Country | Australia |
| State(s) | Western Australia |
The Murchison Murders were a series of three murders, committed by an itinerant stockman known as "Snowy" Rowles (born John Thomas Smith),[1][2] near the rabbit-proof fence in Western Australia during the early 1930s. Rowles used the murder method that had been suggested by author Arthur Upfield in his then unpublished book The Sands of Windee, in which he described a foolproof way to dispose of a body and thus commit the perfect murder.
- ^ "John Thomas William Smith / Rowles – Biographical Dictionary". www.carnamah.com.au. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
- ^ "Rowles Executed". The West Australian. 13 June 1932. p. 9.