GIRL SHOT IN CHEST

Evening Star, Issue 22638, 3 May 1937, Page 8

GIRL SHOT IN CHEST

CONDITION CONCEALED FOR HOURS DEATH FROM INTERNAL BLEEDING [Per United Press Association.! CHRISTCHURCH, May 1. With a bullet in her chest, Josephine Helen M'Pherson, typist, aged 23, went from Christchurch to her homo in M'Cormack’s Bay yesterday afternoon. She died this morning in the Christchurch Public Hospital, a few minutes after she was admitted, at about 4 o’clock. It is understood that the young woman shot herself in an office in the city. She was employed by Mr G. K. Moloney, solicitor,. Manchester street. The bullet, although it lodged near her heart, did not strike the vital organ, but caused internal haemorrhage, which led to her death almost 12 hours later. Miss M'Pherson was the only daughter of Mr William M'Pherson, of Sumner road, M'Cormack’s Bay, and apparently made her way home without mentioning her action to anyone. Dr Bakewell, of Sumner, was summoned to Miss M'Pherson’s home at 2.30 this morning as soon as her parents learned what had happened. Dr Bakewell immediately sent for the ambulance, and the young woman was rushed to hospital, but it was then too late for anything to be done. Detectives from the Central Police Station began investigations as soon as they were advised' of the case, but the circumstances are not considered suspicious. The rifle that was used has been found by the police. Assuming that Miss M'Pherson went home by tram, as she usually did, she would have a fairly long walk before she arrived there. Mr Moloney said this afternoon that, he last saw Miss M'Pherson at 4 o’clock yesterday afternoon, when she was preparing to go home. He refused to make any further statement. The inquest was opened before the coroner (Mr Levvey), and after evidence of identification had been given by the girl’s father, it was adjourned sine die at the request of Chiefdetective Dunlop, who said further inquiries would nave to be made.