DISCOVERY OF GIRL’S BODY

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25310, 9 October 1947, Page 6

DISCOVERY OF GIRL’S BODY

MATERIAL FOUND ROUND NECK

SCIENTISTS’ PART IN THE INVESTIGATION From Our Own Reporter WELLINGTON, October 8.

Although it has been stated that the body of Marie West was found near her home on Mt. Victoria with a cord tied round the neck, no confirmation of this report could be obtained from the police in Wellington to-day. A senior police official said that “a piece of some material” was found round the neck. What this material was would not be determined until further investigations had been made, he said. The police have now finished a search of the area where the body was found. They say that certain objects which will be examined further have been discovered.

It was emphasised to-day that the work of solving the mystery proceeds both from the inquiries made by the large number of detectives engaged on the case, and the work of. scientists, who are expected to play an important part in essential research connected with the finding of the body.

It has been held in some quarters that Marie West apparently met her death through strangulation. The policy do not express apy definite opinion on this assumption. Resident’s Report A resident of the area where th? body was found had said that he heard the sound of something heavy falling or being thrown into the scrub. This incident occurred several days after Marie West disappeared, the police official said to-day The resident said that he called out to a man he saw in the darkness: “What are you doing there?” But the man not reply and disappeared. When the 17-year-old girl disappeared from her home on the night of July 1 the police were soon informed and efforts were made to trace her. For two days descriptions of her were broadcast from radio stations ♦u P xess Pubbcity was enlisted. Then the broadcasts were discontinued at the request of the girl’s parents. Details were also circulated to police stations throughout New Zealand The police say that many reports were received of her having been SC -w in rf va ™? us parts of the country We don t know’ when we will have anything definite to report—it may he a couple of days or it may.be a couple of weeks—it all denends on beine eS m2d ° f th ®, inve stigations now ,’? ade °n the scientific angle ” the police official said. St. Joseph’s Church, Dufiferin street was crowded this morning for the funeral service. Among those and bl r S,de s the family of the tan of N end % we , re the MetropSl" . New Zealand (Archbishnn p J? ) nd Prime Minister <Mr wa3 Fr t a he r celeb?a e nt ße o V f ‘ fl h n% R Ses Fa a t t h^a?oT ey