Police Searching Epsom Quarry

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31076, 3 June 1966, Page 10

Police Searching Epsom Quarry

(New Zealand Preu AieoclaHoni AUCKLAND, June 2. The police are making an intensive search around an old quarry site in Gillies avenue, Epsom, for the clothing and jewellery worn by Miss Lesley Margaret Soutter, aged 19, when she disappeared on March 29.

Nothing of significance had been found when the search ended for today.

The police »re also closely searching a bush - covered bank which backs on to the quarry. The search has been concentrated around the Auckland Badminton Association’s hall behind which a body was found on Tuesday. The corpse had deteriorated to such an extent that- even the sex could could not be determined but the police are working on the theory it was Miss Soutter. There were no clothes on the body, which lay at the base of the quarry face about 10 yt rds from the back of the hall. It was concealed by long grass and many small wattle trees, which have since been felled by the searchers. Chief Superintendent F. 0. Scott, of the Auckland police, said tonight that information from anyone who might have found some articles of men’s or women’s clothes about the quarry in the last two months would be appreciated. “They could have been bundled up and left in a tree,” he said. On the morning shb dis-

appeared Miss Soutter was wearing a grey skirt, jumper and duffle coat with a tartan lining. She also wore a diamond engagement ring and three white metal and marcasite dress rings. No jewellery has been found in the quarry. Mr Scott said about 10 people had got in tmeh with the police about the small Japanese-made trenching tool or shovel found beside the body. “We would be grateful for further help,” he said. Police today made a close search of the ground around the hall. The area was pegged off into small squares and each was methodically combed.

Particular attention was paid to the square surrounding the point where the body was found. The top layer of

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turf was removed and earth pushed through a sieve. The scrutxovered cliff face behind the hall will also be searched. Ladders and ropes will be needed for the task.