DEATH OF YOUNG WOMAN

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25936, 17 October 1949, Page 8

DEATH OF YOUNG WOMAN

EVIDENCE GIVEN AT INQUEST

(New Zealand Press Association.) TAURANGA. October 15.

Reference to the impending death of himself and Mrs Wightmore was contained in letters ready for posting found bv the police on the body of David William Cutler Cooper, a farmer. of Morrinsville. who was found dead beside the body of Mary Garret Wightmore. aged 19. after a’double tragedy in a house at Te Puke, where Mrs Wightmore and her husband lived. Evidence to this effect was given by Detective-Sergeant J. B. McLean, of Rotorua, when the inquest into the death of Mrs Wightmore was concluded before the Coroner (Mr H. Cuff), at Te Puke yesterday. Detective-Sergeant McLean said that six letters were found in Cooper’s wallet. Most, if not all. of them contained reference to the impending death of Conner and Mrs Wightmore. One stated: “My last instruction is that the funeral expenses for both of us be met from my estate and that, if possible, we be buried together.” The letter was dated August 27, 1949.

The Coroner returned a verdict that Cooper died on September 8. 1949. from a self-inflicted gunshot wound through the heart. He also found that Mrs Wightmore met her death on the same date from a gunshot wound through the heart intentionally inflicted by Cooper.