Napier stabbing ‘a mystery’

Press, 25 October 1985, Page 5

Napier stabbing ‘a mystery’

PA Napier The Napier police last evening continued their door-to-door inquiries into the fatal multiple stabbing of an elderly couple in their suburban home at Maraenui. The police named the couple, found in their home at 9.30 a.m. yesterday, as Arthur Howell, aged 76; and

his wife, Mavis Gwendoline Howell, aged 71.

Detective Sergeant Murray Jeffries said that the back door of the couple’s house had been burst open in what appeared to be a forced entry on Wednesday night. “At this stage, it is very much a mystery,” he said. The last sighting of the couple was at 9.30 p.m. on Wednesday when Mrs Howell was dropped off at her home after attending a church meeting. Mr Howell’s body was found in the passsageway. Mrs Howell was discovered in the lounge. Both were in nightclothes. Detective Sergeant Jeffries said the police assumed the couple found an intruder in the house. A relative found the bodies during a routine visit yesterday. Both had multiple stab wounds. Police reinforcements were called in from

Palmerston North and Gisborne to help the 35 police from the Napier-Hastings area.

Two D.S.I.R. scientists are due in Napier today to help with forensic tests. “We don’t know what the motive is,” said Detective Sergeant Jeffries. “Nothing was stolen but we cannot discount the fact that it was a burglary.” No weapon was found on the property.