MURDER OR ACCIDENT?

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 December 1933, Page 7

MURDER OR ACCIDENT?

TEACHER’S DEATH MYSTERY BODY EXHUMED [PEB PBESS ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, December IS. Regarding the death of Miss Kendall, who recently was found dead at the foot of a bank near Otekaike, and regarding which an Oamaru message referred to the circumstances in which she was found, it was learned in Auckland to-night that the body of Miss Fendall (who was Assistant Chief Teacher at the Otekaike School) was exhumed as the result, of a suggestion that she had been the victim of an assault, and that her death was not accidental, as was at first believed. The theory that Miss Fendall’s death was not accidental resulted from a medical examination, which showed that, apart from two severe wounds on the head, she hore no bruises or scratches on any other part of her body to indicate that she had fallen. It was stated, moreover, her wristlet watch was still going, the glass being unbroken, while her coat and handkerchief were placed on a nearby ledge in an orderly manner, not in keeping with the theory that they had fallen from the top of the bank, or that they had been so arranged by the 'deceased after she had been injured. The deceased was found in a reclining position and her shoes had apparently been removed. Rain fell in the interval of one week which elapsed' between the finding of Miss Fendall and the commencement of an inquiry into the possibility of an assault. The police were thus handicapped in their investigations. A thorough search revealed no weapon. It was considered that her wounds might have been made with a pick or some similar instrument.

There was a north-easterly gale on the day on which Miss Fendall was injured, and the theory is held that she had taken advantage of the shelter afforded’ by a creek bed to enjoy a rest. The spot is said to have been used on previous occasions as a sheltered retreat in rough weather. It is .understood that the exhumation was carried out to enable the deceased s finger-prints to be taken for comparison with some found on certain articles ths|t she had in her possession when she was injured. Shortly after Miss Fendall’s death an inquest was ■ opened, and it was adjourned after evidence of identification had been given. Miss Fendall was the daughter of Mr and Mrs H. T. Fendail, of 103, Jervois Road, Ponsonby. She was born in Timaru, and came to Auckland as a girl, being educated at the Auckland Girls’ Grammar School. She was associated with the Campbell Kindergarten and the Myers Kindergarten for some years, and she went to the Otekaike Special School about seven years ago. RUAWARO REMAND. AUCKLAND, December 19. William Alfred Bayley, charged with murdering Mrs Christobel Lakey at Ruawaro about October 15, again appeared in the Police Court, to-day, and Was further remanded for eight days.