EXHUMATION OF BODY

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 74, 20 December 1933, Page 13

EXHUMATION OF BODY

Reasons for Taking Step THEORY OF ASSAULT

By Telegraph—Press Association.

Auckland, December 18.

It was learned to-night that the body of Miss Jessie M. Fendall, who was assistant chief teacher at Otekaieke School, was exhumed as the result or a suggestion that she had been the victim of an assault and that her death was not accidental, as was at first believed. ~ The theory that Miss Fendall s death was not accidental resulted from a medical examination, which showed that, apart from two severe wounds on the head, she bore no bruises or scratches on any other part of her body to indicate that she had fallen. It was stated, moreover, that her wristlet watch was still going, the glass being unbroken, while her coat, book, and handkerchief were placed on a nearby ledge in an orderly manner, not in keeping with the theory that they had fallen from the top of the bank or that they had been so arranged by the deceased after she had been injured. The deceased was found in a reclining position, and her shoes had apparently been removed. It was reported that rain fell in the interval of a week which elapsed between the finding of the body and the commencement of the inquiry into the possibility of an assault. The police were thus handicapped in their investigations. A thorough search revealed no weapon. It was considered that the wounds might have been made with a piek or some similar instrument. There was a north-easterly gale on the day on which Miss Fendall was injured, and the theory is held that she had taken advantage of the shelter afforded by the creek to enjoy a rest. The spot is said to have been used on previous occasions as a sheltered retreat in rough weather. It is understood that the exhumation was carried out to enable the deceased’s fingerprints to be taken for comparison with some found on certain articles she had in her possession when she was allured. Shortly after Miss Kendall’s death an’inquest was opened and was. adjourned after evidence of identification had been given.

Miss Fendall was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. 11. T. Fendall, of 103 Jervois Road, Ponsonby. She was born in Timaru and came to Auckland as a girl, being educated at the Auckland Girls’ Grammar School. She was associated with the Campbell Kindergarten and Myers Kindergarten for some years, and went to Otekaieke Special School about seven years ago.