Nilsen’s ashes, pencil case, glasses, and mug, photographed by David Dyson
According to Mark Austin, his friend and executor, Nilsen initially wanted “the ashes scattered on the waste ground at the bottom of Melrose Avenue, which is where he burned many of his victims” and “couldn’t see how that would upset people”. This aligns with his lifelong tendency to identify himself with death and with his own victims. Nilsen’s remains were spread in the River Philorth, close to Fraserburgh, at Austin’s insistence, but even this incensed some condemnation. In response to the criticism, Austin said “I didn't want to do anything to upset anyone. I fully appreciate people might find this odd. […] But who am I to say who does and does not deserve this sort of final farewell?" Defending his desire to lay his friend to rest, he added “Des was a human being – not a monster. He did monstrous crimes. But that does not make him a monster.”
Austin’s quotes are from these two The Sun articles:
NOTORIOUS serial killer Dennis Nilsen’s ashes have been scattered near a Scots town – sparking outrage. The monster, from Fraserburgh, Aberd
SERIAL killer Dennis Nilsen’s closest pal has the fiend’s ashes in his front room. And graphic designer Mark Austin now plans to scatter the
