MURDER AND SUICIDE

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 August 1928, Page 7

MURDER AND SUICIDE

IN HOSPITAL GROUNDS

NURSE AND BRICKLAYER

(Press Association.) -*

DUNEDIN, August 24. A single woman, Peggy Mclnnes, was found at Waitati shortly after midnight, with her throat cut and head bashed in. Near her body was found the, body of Thomas Ellis, with his throat Cut - LATER.

Details of the double tragedy at Waitati seem to reveal a brutal murThe scene was the grounds of the Orakanui Mental Home. The murdered woman, Peggy Mclnnes, aged 25, was employed as a nurse on the staff, being recently transferred from Seacliff, while Thomas Ellis, about 35, was employed as bricklayer at Seacliff by the Love Construction Company. Just before midnight, Constable Pearce was awakened by a man named O’Neill, a member of the hospital staff, who stated he had heard groans from the drive, and on going out found Ellis staggering about, with his throat cut. Cmistable Pearce, going to the scene found Ellis dead. He returned home, but later was awakened with the news that the nurse-was missing. After a search ,her body was found amongst the scrub beneath pine trees. She was lying on a travelling rug. Her head was °terribly hacked and her throat cut. The deed was apparently done with a stone tied in a handkerchief, and a pocket knife. JEALOUSY AS MOTIVE.

DUNEDIN, August 24

It transpires that Ellis with his throat cut was found roaming around the hospital grounds within 30 yards of the spot where the murdered girl was subsequently located. This means that his cries must have been particularly loud to have attracted notice from the hospital building. The motive for the crime appears to havd been one arising from jealousy. Miss Mclnnes was keeping company with two men, Ellis . being one, and it appears she was hesitating as to whom she would eventually choose. In Ellis’s coat, the police found a letter addressed to him, which had been sent by the girl. It was couched in friendly, if not loving, terms, and through it the appointment to meet was made, but not for the night of the tragedy. The Love Construction Company states that Ellis was with their firm at Seacliff only until July 21 last, therefore, as far as is known, he had been out of work for some time. CHINESE MURDERED WIDOW AND LOVER ARRESTED (Ausr.ralian Press Association > (By Cable—Press Assn.— Copyright.) (Recd August 24, 8 a.m.) SYDNEY, August 23. A Chinese, Chong Gow, tailor, of Marrickville, died on July 19. Nine days later his widow, a white woman, married Ernest Trapman, a member of the crew of the warship Platypus. As the result of rumours which gained currency, the police had the body exhumed, and on the analyst’s report, Trapman and the woman were arrested to-night on a charge of murder.

The police allege that Trapman was formerly employed by Gow, but left after a dispute.