MYSTERIOUS CRIME

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 May 1931, Page 2

MYSTERIOUS CRIME

WOMAN FOUND DEAD.

SYDNEY, April 28

The body of Emma Philbrook, 51, a widow, was found in a bedroom at her residence at 93 Reservoir Street, Surry Hills, shortly after 10 o’clock yesterday morning. The woman had a severe wound on the top of her head, which suggested that she had been struck with some blunt instrument, and one of Her stocking had been removed and tied tightly around her neck. A feature of the crime Which puzzles the police at present is that all doors and windows in the house, including the bedroom, were locked from the inside.

It is understood, however, that Mrs. Philbrook, who lived alone, associated with certain undesirable persons, so that the possibility of a member of the underworld being connected with the affair is not being overlooked by the police. For some time past the dead woman was in the habit of going to friends in a neighbouring street for her meals, and as she had not put in an appearance since early on Saturday, Alfred James Deasley, of Sampel Street, Surry Hills, called at her home yesterday morning to see if all was well. Getting no response to his persistent knocking, he went round to the rear of the premises and forced open a locked window with a penknife.

He entered, and found the woman sitting on the floor, with Her back propped up against a settee. She was fully dressed, with the, exception of one stocking. Deasley immediately reported the matter to Sergeant Cooper, of No. 2 Police Station, who happened to bo on duty close by. Inspector Prior, with Detectives McCrae, Williams, and Higgins, x are making investigations. x