IDENTITY ISSUE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 64, Issue 140, 24 March 1944, Page 4

IDENTITY ISSUE

THE “PYJAMA GIRL” TRAGEDY. EVIDENCE AT THE INQUEST. TWO CONTENTIONS PUT FORWARD. (N.Z. Press Association —Copyright.) (Req. 9.55) MELBOURNE, This Day. Tile inquest into the death of the young woman known as the “pyjama girl,” whose body was found, partly burned, in a culvert drain near Albury on September 1, 1934, was opened before the city coroner (Mr Tingate) yesterday. The police claim that the body is that of Linda Agostini, nee .Platt, formerly of England, and that she was murdered at premises in Swanston Street, Carlton, Melbourne, on or about August 26, 19,34.

Ahtonio Agostini, who has been charged with the murder of his wife, was at present in custody.

Challenging the police claim on the identity of the dead girl,' Mr Barry K.C., who appeared for Mrs Jeannette Constance Routledge, of Bomaderry, New South Wales, said that several persons had sworn affidavits that the dead woman was Anna Pliilomen Morgan, daughter of Mrs Routledge Barry. He added that the affidavits positively identified the corpse for various anatomical reasons as Anna Morgan.

Mr Barry claimed that this evidence was supported by exhaustive scientific investigations by Dr. Benbow, of Sydney, and would demonstrate beyond all doubt that the body was that of Anna Morgan. He had attended to the teeth on several occasions and said that the mould made of the “pyjama girl’s” teeth beyond all doubt was that of Anna Morgan. Mr Barry asked that a number of witnesses supporting his case should be called from New South Wales. The Coroner said he would reserve his decision on this question until the I necessity arose.

Witnesses called on behalf of the police stated that deceased was Linda Agostini. \

The principal Avitness, William Joseph O’Brien, of Sydney, who had attended to Mrs Agostini’s teeth on seA'nral occasions said that the mould made of the “pyjama girl’s” teeth corresponded with dental Avork he had carried out in 1930 and 1932 on a woman introduced to him by Antonio Agostini as his Avife. He identified Agostini as a man avlio had first come to his surgery on September 15, 1930. O’Brien said that Mrs Agostini had blue eyes and light broAvn hair. Mrs Doreen Dunn, of Bondi, New South Wales, said that in 1927, a girl named Linda Platt obtained a position as usherette where witness was employed and stayed at the flat occupied by Avitness. Subsequently she told witness that she had married Agostini. On March 4 this year Avitness identified the “pyjama girl’s” body as that of Linda Platt.

To Mr Barry witness said that deceased’s eyes were brown. Sergeant Victor King, of Ifedfern, Sydney, said that, about 1925, Linda Platt had visited his home in Sydney. About two years later witness met Linda Agostini, and asked her how she and her husband were getting along. She said, “not the best,” and that he had threatened to shoot her. Sergeant King said he had viewed the body of the dead woman in Sydney, and he was satisfied beyond doubt it was that of Mrs Agostini. The hearing was ad-' jotirned.