THE DEATH PACT

Evening Star, Issue 19612, 19 July 1927, Page 4

THE DEATH PACT

INQUEST OH KiDDELI FAMILY [L’ek Cnhed Press Association.] AUCKLAND, July 18. The story of the Mount Albert tragedy, with a few new facts, was retold when tho inquest concerning the deaths of the victims—Ernest Unit by Kiddell, Louisa Jane Kiddoll, Lomu Kidded, and Codeia Kidded-—was concluded before Mr E. K. Hunt, S.l\. (coroner). Sir I’. J. Pyan represen tee the Public Trust Office, winch has control of tho estate of the deceased. • Eric Thomas Wilson, salesman for the Colonial Ammunition Company, said lie sold a .32 calibre Winchester ritlo to Ernest Kidded on Juno 22. The deceased had also bought 100 rounds of smokeless ammunition, but had declined to buy a cleaning rod or oil. A neighbor of the Kiddolls gave evidence as to hearing tho sound of shots on tho morning of Juno 23. Scnior-cletectivo Hammond described tho finding of tho bodies in tho house. Tho son and mother, ho said, appeared to have been resigned to death, but the faco of tho girl suggested that she did not know she was going to bo killed. Mr If,van; Can you give any idea of the order of the deaths? The fact is important, in view of the administration of the estates. The lather’s estate so tar is valued at £1,700, and tho son’s farm at Mangawoka is valued at £I,OOO. Detective Hammond said it was evident that the daughter bad died first. The deaths of the mother and sou were practically simultaneous. After this tho father had shot himself. It was clear tho father had shot himself, as the bullet bad gone right through the ceiling and tho roof. I’eplying to the coroner, Mr Hammond said there was no evidence of the presence of drugs or narcotics. The Coroner: There is evidently no possibility of discovering the order of tho deaths? Detective Hammond said ho was satisfied the daughter had no part in the death pact. Several letters which had been written by the elder Kiddcll to relatives were “produced. Detective Hammond said they were of a private nature. On the hack of the envelop© of one letter was written in different handwriting the words “With my consent, Lou.’’ The Coroner said ho did not think any good would be done by publishing the letters, and lie suggested that they should be forwarded to their intended destinations. Medical evidence was given regarding the cause of tho deaths. There were no signs of .struggles, death having taken place almost instantaneously in each case. The coroner’s verdict was as follows; “Tho deceased —Louisa Jane Kiddoll. Laura Kiddcll, and Collen Kiddell died at West street, Mount Albert, on June 23, 1227, tho cause of death being gunshot wounds inflicted by Ernest, Whitby Kiddoll. There is some evidence lo show that Louisa Jane Kiddell (his wife) acquiesced in this. J am satisfied that Ernest Width}’ Kiddcll died a little later, the (anise of his death being suicide by shooting.”