REINFORCEMENT OF POLICE

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25811, 24 May 1949, Page 6

REINFORCEMENT OF POLICE

NINE DETECTIVES ON INVESTIGATION BRIEF NOTE AND MONEY IN FLAT (New Zealand Press Association.) AUCKLAND, May 24. After more than two days and nights of intensive investigations, the police have not yet definitely found a suspect for the murder of Frederick Edney, a dancing teacher, of 319 Queen street. Among the many people who came forward with information to-day was one of Edney’s pupils, who said he was in the dead man’s studio at 8 p.m. on Friday. As yet this is the latest that Edney is reported to have been seen alive. Bloodstains suggest that the blow on the head which ctnised Edney’s death was inflicted at the Queen street entrance to his flat and studio. There is reason to believe that he died between 8 a.m. and midday on Saturday, after surviving the attack for some time. As in the case of the Rusden murder, the detective office has been completely reorganised to enable a squad of about nine men to devote all their time to the mystery. Reinforcements have arrived from the south. SeniorDetective W. R. Fell, who played a conspicuous part in solving the Rusden case, has been placed in charge of investigations. Weapon Not Found The weapon used by the murderer has not been discovered. It could have been a ball-peen hammer. It left a hole about an inch in diameter in the skull above the left ear. The injury to the brain was slight and according to medical’ opinion Edney could have lived for some hours. Reconstructing the crime, some police officers believe that Edney was attacked, possibly late on Friday night, at the front door to the premises, which is at the foot of a steep flight of about two dozen steps. He staggered back up the stairs to his studio and living quarters, leaving unmistakable spots of blood on the left-hand side of the staircase close to the wall. This theory is supported by the absence oi any signs of struggle inside the building. The trail of blood led through the dance hall into the kitchen and bedroom. In his flat he evidently examined his private papers and wrote a note, which he left with about £24U in banknotes for a friend. Telephone on Table Although a telephone was beside Edney’s table he apparently made no effort to use it. Private papers on the table revealed blood drips, suggesting that Edney was able to look at the papers and write the note before going to his bed where he died, probably early on Saturday morning. An inquest was opened at the city mortuary this morning before the Coroner (Mr A. Addison). William Jeffrey Adams, caterer, said he had known Edney since 1934. He last saw him alive on Friday evening when he visited the studio at 6.25 p.m. He was then in normal health and good spirits. The inquest was adjourned sine die.