The son of Bible John victim Helen Puttock has spoken out in a bid to fight for justice and help catch the killer.
David Puttock said he feels angry whenever he thinks about his mum’s killer roaming free.
He has returned to Scotland from his new home in Canada to urge police to relaunch their murder investigation.
Speaking out for the first time, David, 57, said: “I wish that police could look at the murders again and try to get some answers for the families.
“My dad, George, is in his 80s and has poor health. The murder still haunts him and he deserves some justice. So does my mum.”
Helen, 29, was the third victim of suspected serial killer Bible John.
She was raped and strangled with her tights in Scotstoun, Glasgow, following a night out with sister Jean McLachlan at the Barrowland Ballroom in the city in October 1969.
The women had met with two men, both called John. One said he was from Castlemilk and worked as a slater.
At the end of the evening, he walked to George Square to catch a bus, leaving the sisters to share a taxi with the suspected killer.
David, who has lived in Canada since his 20s, was only five when Helen died.
He told how he visited the area around the Barrowland on his return to Scotland.
David said: “I felt a lump in my throat when I realised how close I was to the Barrowlands. It felt surreal.
“I was too young to really remember her. I remember some things about her but they are very distant
memories. It feels sad we didn’t get to know her, whoever killed her took that away. I get angry when I think about it but I try not to get upset, and stay upbeat.
“It’s difficult when I realise how much time has gone by and nobody has ever been caught.”
David, who was brought up by George and his wife of 47 years, Mavis, said he was 11 before he found out what had happened to his mum.
He said: “Dad didn’t think it was right that me and my brother, Michael, knew at such a young age and tried to shield us from that but we had heard some things from other kids and had a vague awareness so Dad had to sit us down and tell us what happened to Mum.
“For a long time afterwards I suffered nightmares and struggled with it but over the years I’ve read everything I could on it but it often feels like I’m walking a tightrope with my dad. I don’t want to bring back sad memories for him so I try not to ask him too much.”
David, a father himself, said he wants Police Scotland to crack the infamous case with a fresh investigation.
He said: “Surely in this day and age they can find some scrap of evidence, especially with all the advances in DNA and investigation techniques?
“I know some names have been suggested over the years and police have been unable to tie it together but for my dad’s sake I’d like him to have some closure. Fifty-two years is a long time to be left without answers.”
The serial killer, nicknamed Bible John because he quoted from scripture, is said to have stalked the Barrowland dance hall before selecting his three young victims.
Thr first was 25-year-old Patricia Docker, strangled after going to the Barrowland in February 1968.
The following year, mum-of-three Jemima McDonald, 32, was found strangled, raped and beaten to death.
Three months later, Helen was murdered.
There was renewed interest in the case last year following a BBC documentary.
Police say the cases are open and they would welcome any new information.
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