Youth Who Shot Sisters Escapes From Hospital

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29772, 15 March 1962, Page 12

Youth Who Shot Sisters Escapes From Hospital

(N.Z. Press Association/

AUCKLAND, March 14.

Robert Edward Bridge, aged 17, who was found not guilty but insane on two charges of murdering his two young sisters at Waiuku 11 months ago, escaped from the Tokanui Mental Hospital this afternoon. He and a 19-year-old fellow inmate disappeared from the grounds of the hospital while they were believed to be picking mushrooms.

Police from Hamilton and Te Awamutu found a discarded pair of gumboots and a basket near trie hospital later in the evening. A car parked nearby had been tampered with. Late tonight no trace of the two youths had been found. Police officers believed they might still be in the district as no cars had been reported missing. Auckland detectives regard Bridge as “very dangerous.” Bridge is 6ft 2in, of slight build. He is said to be “wiry” and has a fair complexion with blue eyes. At the time of his escape Bridge is thought to have been wearing khaki trousers and black boots. The Director of Mental Hygiene (Dr. G. B. Palmer) said that at about 12.30 p.m. Bridge, with a voluntary patient, “exceeded his bounds.” The staff, he said, undertook the usual routine search and when no sign of them was found, notified the police. “It is not thought on the basis of his behaviour since admission that he presents any significant danger to casual strangers,” said Dr. Palmer. An inquiry into the escape would be held tomorrow. The farm and grounds of the institution total about 800 acres.

A Supreme Court jury in

Auckland on June 22, 1960, found Bridge, then aged 16, not guilty but insane on the charges of murdering his sisters Carolyn, aged six. and Valerie, aged two. The two girls were found dead in their beds at their home at Waipipi on the night of April 11. Each had been shot, Carolyn three times and Valerie once.

er brother were located early the next day. In a statement produced at the trial Bridge said that after shooting his sisters he decided to lay in wait outside the house for his parents. However, he did not have an opportunity to carry out this intention.

The younger brother, then aged 12. was acquitted and discharged on the two charges.

After a widespread police search Bridge and his young-