Casefile True Crime: Case 308 - Ruth Finley

Release Date: March 1, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 308 of "Casefile True Crime," titled "Ruth Finley," listeners are taken on a harrowing journey through the complexities of trauma, repression, and self-inflicted torment. This detailed narrative unveils the life of Ruth Finley, exploring how her unresolved childhood abuse led her to become both victim and perpetrator, ultimately unraveling a deeply psychological mystery.

Background: The 1946 Attack

Ruth Smock, a 16-year-old from rural Missouri, relocated to Fort Scott, Kansas, to attend a larger high school and work part-time as a telephone operator for South Western Bell. On the evening of October 15, 1946, Ruth experienced a traumatic assault:

• The Intrusion: After returning home from the grocery store, Ruth left her front door unlocked. An unfamiliar man in his 50s, dressed in dirty bib overalls, entered her apartment. He greeted her with a chilling casualness, saying, “Hi sis” ([00:35]).

• The Assault: The attacker turned off the lights, grabbed Ruth, and began tearing at her clothes. Despite her resistance—“I fought back and managed to press my thumbs into his eyes” ([00:35])—he escalated his aggression, using chloroform to subdue her and branding her legs with a flat iron.

• Aftermath: Ruth regained consciousness the next morning with superficial injuries but enduring psychological scars. She chose to remain silent about the attack, even avoiding her apartment due to intense dread.

Renewed Harassment in 1977-1978

Thirty-one years after the initial assault, in 1977, Ruth Finley (now married to Ed Finlay) began receiving unsettling communications:

• Anonymous Calls: Ruth received calls from an unfamiliar male voice inquiring about her past, specifically her time in the Fort Scott rooming house and her branded legs. The caller threatened to expose her history unless she paid money ([07:16]).

• Letters from "The Poet": The harassment escalated with the arrival of cryptic letters containing poems and threats. These letters referenced her past trauma and included bizarre language, such as “prolegomenous” and “psychosthenia,” suggesting the author’s intelligence despite grammatical errors ([58:33]).

The Poet's Attacks

The Poet intensified his campaign of fear through a series of physical confrontations and taunting letters:

• Abduction and Escape: In November 1978, Ruth was violently abducted by two men. She escaped by using mace, a harrowing experience that deepened her fear but also left her physically wounded ([27:00]).

• Continued Threats: The Poet continued to send letters and visit Ruth's home with threatening items like concrete chunks and knives. His communications often took the form of disturbing poems, further destabilizing Ruth’s mental state ([61:59]).

• Connection to BTK Strangler: Authorities noticed similarities between the Poet’s methods and those of the infamous BTK Strangler, but no direct link was established. The investigation into the Poet remained stagnant despite extensive police efforts ([60:45]).

Psychological Unraveling and Therapy

As the harassment wore on, Ruth’s mental health deteriorated:

• Repression and Memory Blocks: Ruth experienced severe anxiety, depression, and dissociative episodes. In therapy, she uncovered repressed memories of childhood sexual abuse by an adult neighbor, which she had long buried ([82:00]).

• Manifestation of the Poet: Dr. Andrew Pickens, her psychiatrist, concluded that the Poet was a psychological manifestation of Ruth’s trauma—an altered identity formed to punish herself for her suppressed emotions and unresolved guilt ([89:00]).

• Self-Inflicted Violence: Ruth admitted to fabricating parts of her story, including the stabbing incident, as a way to externalize her internal turmoil. Her actions were driven by deep-seated shame and a desire to cope with her past abuse ([92:00]).

Revelation and Police Investigation

The culmination of the case saw unprecedented revelations:

• Chief Lamunion’s Theory: Wichita Police Chief Richard Lamunion hypothesized that Ruth herself was the Poet. Examining inconsistencies in her stories and the inability to match the Poet to any external suspects led him to this conclusion ([95:00]).

• Confrontation and Confession: In October 1981, confronted with evidence—including photographs of Ruth mailing letters disguised as the Poet—Ruth confessed to embodying the Poet persona. Her confession highlighted the depth of her psychological struggle and the blurred lines between her true identity and her repressed self ([93:54]).

• Diagnosis and Aftermath: Ruth was diagnosed with atypical impulse disorder with dissociative and depressive features. The police concluded that she posed no threat to the community, and no charges were filed. Instead, Ruth focused on healing through therapy and advocating for mental health awareness ([100:00]).

Conclusion: Healing and Advocacy

Following her revelation, Ruth Finley dedicated her life to overcoming her trauma and helping others:

• Public Support and Advocacy: After a televised interview detailing her experiences, Ruth received widespread support. She became an advocate for mental health, sharing her story to inspire others to seek therapy and confront their own traumas.

• Legacy: Ruth's journey from victim to self-saboteur and finally to advocate underscores the profound impact of repressed trauma and the importance of mental health support. Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the complexities of the human psyche and the resilience required to overcome deep-seated emotional wounds.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Ruth Finley:
  • "It's all a blur." ([00:35])
• During Abduction:
  • "Men's fantasies are other people's nightmares. I'll see you again. You can count on that." ([10:30pm])
• In Therapy:
  • "I wish I was dead." ([82:00])

Insights and Reflections

The "Ruth Finley" case highlights several critical themes:

1. The Power of Repressed Memories: Ruth's inability to process her childhood abuse led to severe psychological consequences, illustrating how unresolved trauma can manifest in self-destructive behaviors.

2. Challenges in Criminal Investigation: The case underscores the difficulties authorities face when dealing with psychologically complex perpetrators who manipulate their identities and actions.

3. Importance of Mental Health Support: Ruth's eventual diagnosis and therapy emphasize the necessity of accessible mental health resources and the impact of supportive therapeutic relationships in healing from trauma.

Conclusion

Casefile’s "Ruth Finley" episode offers a compelling exploration of the intricate relationship between trauma, identity, and self-harm. Through Ruth’s story, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the human mind’s capacity to both suffer and heal, reinforcing the critical need for empathy and comprehensive mental health care.

Note: This summary intentionally omits advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections to focus solely on the core narrative and insights of the episode.