MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9361, 10 March 1896, Page 5

MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE.

CONFESSION OF MUEDEB. A PECULIAR CASE. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. Sydney, March 9. Last month a builder named Frederick Willis, of Enmore, mysteriously disappeared from his home, and left a note at the house of a friend stating that he was going to Newcastle and intended to commit suicide by throwing himself from the steamer, as he could bear his trouble no longer. Next day his wife received a letter from the police there signed by Willis, which said that in January last he had words with a Mrs Hughes whilst assisting to remove her furniture, and in a fit of temper he threw her downstairs. The woman was found dead at the foot of the stairs, and Willis having reported the matter to the police, an inquest was held, and a verdict of " Accidental death " returned. Mrs Hughes was an infirm old lady. After the death of her husband she took the Willis's to live with her, and in return for their kindness and attention willed a terrace of houses which she possessed to Willis. The will was disputed by the deceased's friends, but Willis made good his claim. Since the death of Mrs Hughes Willis was unsettled in manner which the family attributed to religious feeling, as he was closely connected with the church. Enquiries show that no one like Willis was a passenger by the Newcastle boat by which he was supposed to have left, and no one threw himself overboard. Mrs Willis's friends credit the confession. The police have issued a warrant for his arrest on a charge of murder.