Police seek killer

Press, 12 May 1979, Page 1

Police seek killer

PA Dunedin Police hunting the killer of an Oamaru woman, aged 32, found with her throat slashed at her home on Thursday, said last evening that they wanted to get in touch with a man who was seen in the area on Thursday afternoon. They said he was in his late 50s and was driving an early model, marooncoloured Triumph 2000 with a “rough-sounding motor.” Senior-Sergeant W. J. Prentice said: “I do not want anyone to get the idea that this man is a suspect. We just want to clear up some questions with him” He said the man had spoken to some workmen in Aran Street, Oamaru, at 2.15 p.m. The 'body of the woman.

Mrs Hilary Maxine Tiddy, was found by a builder, Mr A. Rush, working at the premises when he returned after being away for a while.

A knife was found nearby. The police said the knife drawer in the kitchen was found open. The woman’s husband, Mr J. R. Tiddy, and their son, aged 12, were away from the house at the time. Detectives from Christchurch and Timaru worked through the night on the inquiry. Mr Rush had been repairing damage to the veranda of the home caused by a mysterious fire on April 8. The police had asked Oamaru’s Chief Fire Officer (Mr C. S. Nightingale) to investigate the veranda fire. He said the cause could not be established.