AUCKLAND WOMAN KILLED

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 August 1933, Page 7

AUCKLAND WOMAN KILLED

FAMILY FRIEND INJURED A MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR [per press association.] AUCKLAND. August 16. A tragedy, the motive for which appears still ‘to be obscure, occurred at a residence at Crummer Road, Grey Lynn, about noon, whep Mrs Christina Cunningham, aged 50, received injuiies to her throat and head which pioxed fatal. A little over an hour later, John Edwards, a relief worker, aged 39, was found in the house with a deep gash in his throat and with cuts in his left wrist. ' The discovery was made by the 22-year-old daughter of Mrs Cunningham, on her return from the city, where she had been seeking work, and both of the victims were rushed to Auckland Hospital. Mrs Cunningham’s injuries were so terrible that nothing could be done to save her but an operation was performed at once on the man, and he was given a blood transfusion. His condition throughout the day was serious, although at a late hour, he had shown an improvement, and hopes are entertained for his recovery. •

There was nothing to indicate to the neighbours that there was anything amiss in the house, but when Joyce Cunningham returned she found her mother lying in a pool of blood on the dining room floor in any unconscious condition. Edwards was seated on a chair nearby with blood gushing from a terrible wound in his throat, and from 'his left wrist. He was holding a razor in his hand, but did not move.

Miss Cunningham rushed out the front door and to the residence next door. “Something dreadful has happened!” she called out. Both of the victims were still alive. They were rushed to the hospital. Miss Cunningham said that on Tuesday night, she had been to a dance, and, on returning, she saw Edwards standing outside her home. He asked if her father were at home. She took him inside, and showed him into her father's room at the back of the house. According to information gathered by the police, Edwards persuaded Cunningham to allow him to remain in the house for the night, and he slept in the back bedroom with Cunningham. In the morning, Cunningham, who is a motor mechanic, at present on relief work, was. leaving for the city, and took Edwards with him. They parted in. Newton, and it is apparent that Edwards returned to the house in Crummer Road.

Although no one saw Edwards return to the house, it is thought that Mrs Cunninghafh was doing part of her housework at the front of the house when he came back.

The members of the family have known Edwards for some years, although he was not regarded as a very close friend. He generally followed the occupation of a salesman, and he got to know the family about six years ago, through calling on them when selling tea. There are a number of details connected with the tragedy which the police have not yet cleared up to their satisfaction. SEARCH FOR. WEAPON. AUCKLAND, August 17. It is believed that little further evidence has been gleaned by the police to throw light on the Grey Lynn tragedy. Mrs Christina Cunningham had a fractured skull, and the police have been searching for the instrument or weapon with which it was inflicted. Alfred Cunningham, the husband, said he left home soon after 10 in the morning. His wife was then doing the usual household work, and he had helped by shaking the carpet, a few minutes before he went to the city. The condition of John Edwards is improving, and he is expected to, recover.