FAMILY TRAGEDY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21581, 7 December 1944, Page 6

FAMILY TRAGEDY

AIRMAN SHOOTS WIFE TAXI-DRIVER’S VISITS EVIDENCE "AT’ INQUEST (P.A.) AUCKLAND, Doc. 7. “The full story of what happened in that locked bedroom will never be known, but there is ample evidence to enable me to arrive at a verdict,” said the coronr. Mr. A. Addison, when concluding the inquest into the deaths of Flight-Sergeant Irving Fairfax Carlsen. R.N.Z.A.F.. aged 32, and Mary Emma Carlson, aged 2(1. The deceased were discovered dead with bullet wounds in the head in a bedroom of their house at Herne Bay on November 2. ' Olaf Blomfleld Carlson, machinist, dated in evidence Hint the deceased were his brother and sister-in-law. His brother went, overseas about 2A ears ago and returned home on leave m October 22. The witness visited hem and his brother cold him he ■.vas on lira verge of separation from his wife. He said lie had been worrying about his wife having oilier ren at the house while he was overseas and this had been preventing him sleeping. He gave the witness to understand that he did not want a separation and that he was leaving h: to his wife to decide. He also told 'he witness about a taxi-driver uho had been visiting ' the house frequently and appeared annoyed about ; t. 'iVifc’s Conduct John Terry, solicitor, stated that ■•• a deceased Carlsen called at his "’■■’p during October and said he had received an anonymous letter regarding his wife's conduct. When he -?tnvned from the Pacific his wife "•cceived him without enthusiasm end v er -attitude was not cordial. The ■’oeeased .said that a taxi-driver Tamed Munson had formed an assoiction with Ids wife and was visiting he home daily and spending some hours there. The deceased ccmilaincd that Manson was a wealthy nan and therefore had the advantage ■f him. The- witness said he wrote to Mrs. Carlsen. ns a result of which she called to res him. He told her of o'er husband’s complaint and she did “ot deny it, but said her association with Manson was perfectly innocent. The witness pointed out her duties as a married woman to her husband and children. She replied she could see "o harm in going out openly with Manson because her husband did not bother to take her out. The witness advised her to break her association with Manson as it put her husband in an intolerable position. During the discussion she mentioned that her husband had once asked her to call Manson over and he would shoot him. Questioned by Mr. Mitchell, who appeared on behalf of Carlson’s father, the witness said that when he last saw the deceased he was evidently desirous of getting Manson out r ’f the picture. He seemed quite affectionate to his wife. Friendly With the Wife Clarence Rupert Manson, taxi-driver (Mr. Fracr), said he was a married man with three children and seoarated from his wife. He met Mrs. Carlsen about three months before her death and became friendly with her, having taken her to pictures and to the beach and other outings with her children. He first met Carlsen when he returned on leave. Pie had explained to the deceased about talcing out his life and the deceased did not accuse him of anything wrong. The witness visited the Carlson’s on the evening of November 2 and Carlsen then said he had sent for the witness because he wanted him to try to persuade his wife to make it up with him again. He told the witness his wife would not live with him. Previously Mrs. Carlsen had told the witness her husband had threatened to shoot her. Asked by the coroner whether lie knew Carlsen was trying to get his wife back, the witness said he was trying to be an arbitrator. The Coroner: Did he ever tell you he had received news of his wife associating with you? The witness: He told me he had received news of men calling at the house. Pie said he did not mind me going there as it was giving his wife some enjoyment in life. Detective-Sergeant Power said that inquiries had satisfied him that for a lengthy period Carlsen had been very worried about his domestic position and had been living under a great strain. Everything indicated that, faced with the expiration of his leave and his return overseas and the deterioration in his domestic position, he finally gave way under the strain and at some time of the night shot his wife and then killed himself.

It appeared that Carlsen had spent his leave trying to make it up with Ills wife and getting rid of Manson. said the coroner. The husband’s attempts were not assisted by the continuation of this association. A verdict was returned that both deceased died on November 2, Mrs. Carlson’s death being caused by a bullet wound inflicted by her husband while in a state of extreme mental stress and his death being due to suicide while in the same state.