POISON IN BODY

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 267, 7 August 1929, Page 11

POISON IN BODY

EXHUMED AFTER SIX YEARS MAN CHARGED WITH WIFE MURDER ALSO ATTEMPT TO KILL THIRD WIFE (United Press Association.—By Electric -Telegraph.—Copyright.) Sydney, August 6. Detectives are closely Investigating the mysterious Illness of Mrs. Helena Pearson, a native of New Zealand, at Sydney Hospital. Last night they arrested the husband, Walter Rufus Pearson, 55, a painter, on a charge of wife murder in October, 1923. The police state that Pearson was three times married, the first time about ten years ago and the second in 1923. The second wife’s body was exhumed a few days ago, and a report from the analyst Is awaited. Pearson is further charged with having administered chloride of zinc to his present wife between April and August 5. with intent to murder. Pearson was refused bail. All food taken to the present wife in hospital was seized and analysed. An extraordinary feature of the case is that Pearson lives next door to Mrs. William Minahan. whose funeral was held up on July 22 by the police, who took charge of the body. Later. The Police Prosecutor disclosed that traces of poison had been found in Mrs. Marlon Pearson's body, which was exhumed after it had been buried six years. The husband, Walter Pearson, was remanded on a charge of having murdered his former wife.