YOUNG WOMAN’S DEATH

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22082, 3 May 1937, Page 10

YOUNG WOMAN’S DEATH

BULLET WOUND IN CHEST LONG JOURNEY AFTER SHOOTING Shot in the chest —a wound which the police believe to have been sell inflicted —Josephine Helen McPherson, aged 23, a typist employed by Mr J. K. Moloney, 178 Manchester street, died in the Christchurch Public Hospital on Saturday morning, within a few minutes of admission about 4 o’clock. It is understood that the young woman shot herself in a city office on Friday afternoon, later going to her home in McCormack’s Bay with the bullet still in her chest. She must have taken the tram and then walked some distance before reaching her 110106. , „ The girl’s parents, Mr and Mrs William McPherson, Sumner road, learned what had happened about 2.30 o’clock in the morning, and immediately called Dr. R. F. Bake well. An ambulance was called and the girl was taken to the hospital, but by that time nothing could be done, for although Iho bullet had missed vital organs it had caused internal hemorrhage leading to her death. „ Detectives of the Central Police Station, who began investigations immediately, do not regard the circumstances as suspicious. The police have found the rifle which was used. Miss McPherson was last seen by Mr Moloney as she was preparing to leave for her heme about 4 o’clock on Friday afternoon. An inquest, opened before the Cororner, Mr E. C. Levvey, on Saturday morning, was adjourned sine after evidence of identification had been given by the girl’s father. The adjournment was made at the request of Chief-Detective Dunlop, who said that further inquiries would have to be made.