TRAGIC STORY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 290, 7 December 1944, Page 8

TRAGIC STORY

DOUBLE SHOOTING HUSBAND'S MENTAL STRESS A tragic story concerning the estrangement of a New Zealand airman and his wife and the deaths of both by shooting in the locked bedroom of their home on the night of November 2 was unfolded before the coroner, Mr. Alfred Addison, yesterday afternoon, when he concluded the inquest concerning the deaths of Flight-Sergeant Irving Fairfax Carlsen, R.N.Z.A.F., aged 32, and Mary Emma Carlsen, aged 26, who lived at 53, Ardmore Road, Heme Bay, with their three children.

Detective-Sergeant Orme Power appeared for the police, Mr. Lmd Mitchell for the father of FlightSergeant Carlsen, while Mr. A. V. Fraer watched proceedings on behaii of a witness, Clarence Rupert Manson. . Olaf Blomfield Carlsen said 'his brother went overseas about two years and a half ago and returned home on leave on October 22. On October 28 his brother told him he and his wife were on the verge of separation. He also told witness he had been worrying about his wife having other men at the house. John Terry, solicitor, said that Irving Carlsen called at his office on October 26 and requested assistance about his domestic position. He said he had received an anonymous letter regarding his wife's conduct, and that his wife had received him without enthusiasm. He said a taxidriver named Clarrie Manson had formed an association with his wife, visiting the home daily and intervening in such matters as what meals should be served. Carlsen complained that Manson, being a wealthy man, had the advantage of him. He requested witness to discuss the position with his wife as his objection had not resulted in any change of conduct. Witness wrote and Mrs. Carlsen called on witness. She did not deny what her husband had said, but said the association was perfectly innocent. She said she couldn't see any harm in going out openly with Manson because her husband did not bother to take her out. "I urged upon her that the conduct of a married woman should not give even the appearance of impropriet " added Mr. Terry. "She said she and her husband had been unhappy for some time before his going overseas. Separation Discussed Mr. Terry said she mentioned that Carlsen. during one conversation, asked her to call Manson over and he would shoot him. When Carlsen called on October 31 he said the position had not improyed, but that he hoped that a talk with a third party might improve matters. He discussed separation, but the matter of custody and control of the three children presented difficulties. It was finally decided to give Mrs. Carlsen a short period to reflect further on the matter before taking any legal action.

To Mr. Mitchell witness said that when he last saw Carlsen on November 2 he was evidently desirous of getting Manson out of the picture. He seemed quite affectionate towards his wife. A taxi driver residing at Waverley Street. City, Clarence Rupert Manson, said he was married, with three children, and was separated from his wife. He met Mrs. Carlsen about three months before her death, being introduced to her by a friend. "I became friendly with her and I took her to the pictures and to the beach and other outinss with her children on numerous occasions," said Manson. "I knew her husband was serving with the Air Force in the Pacific."

Witness first came to know Carlsen on October 22. He had seen him on several occasions after that and had explained to him about taking his Avife out. Carlsen did not accuse him of anything wrong in his conduct. Witness last saw the Carlsens alive when he called at their house about tea time on November 2 and spent about an hour with them. Carlsen said he had sent a telegram saying he wanted to see witness. Witness had not then got the telegram, which had been sent to his mother's address.

"He told me he sent the telegram because he wanted me to try and persuade his wife to make it up with him again," continued Manson. "He said his wife would not Jive with him. I knew there had been trouble between them and I spoke to her. She told me that she would not live with him again. I told Carlsen what his wife told me, and that I could not persuade her otherwise. When I left them they were quite friendly. There was nothing threatening in Carlson's attitude at that time. Mrs. Carlsen had told me on previous occasions tbat he had threatened to shoot her. When leaving I told them I would call and see them again the following day. Something Wrong "1 was working with my taxi that night and received a message through the office to the effect 'Meet Mary at the Lamps before 9 p.m.' I knew that message would he from Mrs. Carlsen. hut I did not see her that night. I Avas not at the Three Lamps until K) p.m., and she wasn't there then. I called at tneir house the next morning at about 10 a.m. I saw the elder boy knocking on the front door. There were some people about and somebody told me there was something wrong. I got in through the front bedroom window and saw both Mr. and Mrs. Carlsen, apparently dead, in the bedroom. I immediately notified the Ponsonby police."

The Coroner: You knew Carlsen wanted to make it up with his wife? —Yes. How many times did you have meals at Mrs. Carlsen's? —I suppose about twelve times in the course of the three months. "Finally Gave "Way" Detective-Sergeant Orme Power said that from inquiries made it appeared clear that while serving in the Pacific, Carlsen received information which caused him to have doubts about his wife's conduct at home. His condition became such as the result of worry that his return to New Zealand was arranged and he was given compassionate leave from October 22 until November 5.

"As a result of my inquiries, observations made at the time and inquiries made subsequently, I am satisfied that for a lengthy period Carlsen has been very worried about his domestic position and had been living under a very great strain. Everything indicates that, faced with the expiration of his leave in three days' time and his return overseas, and a deterioration of his domestic position, he finally gave way under the strain and at some time of the evening of November 2 shot his wife and then killed himself with a bullet from the same rifle," added witness.

The coroner found that Mary Emma Carlsen died as a result of a bullet wound in the head, inflicted by her husband while he was in a state of extreme mental stress, and that the cause of death of Irving Fairfax Carlsen was suicide by a self-inflicted bullet while in a state of extreme mental stress.