‘DID NOT RUN AWAY’

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22620, 24 April 1948, Page 6

‘DID NOT RUN AWAY’

A HAPPY GIRL MOTHER’S EVIDENCE HOME life described (P.A.) WELLINGTON, April 23. About 40 witnesses were called at the inquest which opened today into the death of Marie Emily West, aged 17J years, who disappeared from her home on the evening of July 7, 1947. and I whose body was later found on the I slopes of Mount Victoria. The first witness gave forma!' evidence and piodueec plans and photographs of the Mount Victoria arc-a. Photographs of the body taken as it was lying on Mount Victoria were produced bv Sergeant J Colclough who also produced prints showing details of a cord encircling the neck of the corpse and a white mark at the base of the skill!. He said the body had been almost entirely covered by branches or scrub. Mr. Leicester asked witness whether it was not correct that there was to the east of where the body was lying, and further up the town belt, a welldefined path with access to Palliser road at one end and Majoribanks street at the other. Witness agreed that there was a path. Left Home To Meet Friend Lynda Marcia West, mother of the deceased, said the last time she saw her daughter Marie alive was about 7.35 p.m. on July 1. Marie left their home at 13 Mclntyre Avenue, to meet a friend. Cyntli# Barrett, at Courtenay Place at 7.40 pirn. The two girls were going to attend a Catholic youth movement meeting. Witness said her husband had been working overtime at his place of employment in Adelaide road. Her son, Terence, had been out and had not ■ returned home at about 10 p.m. Her husband came home about 9.20 p.m. Both he and the' witness had retired to bed shortly after his return, the other children. Jean. Elizabeth and Peter having gone to bed earlier. “About 10.30 p.m.,” said witness, ‘‘l noticed a light reflecting in the sittingroom and thought that it was a light in the kitchen and that Marie had arrived back home. I went to sleep and did not wake up until 6.45 next morning. “My husband when he brought me a cup of tea said he did not think that Terry had returned home the night before. I got up and then found that Terry was in bed. Bed Not Slept In “The next thing my daughter Elizabeth told me that Marie had not returned home. 1 had a look in her bedroom and found that her bed had not been slept in. The others told me not to worry as Marie had probably stayed the night somewhere after possibly feeling sick. “My husband left for his work at 7.40 a.m. Although I knew Marie was supposed to have .met Cynthia the night previously I did not make any inquiries of her nor did I ask my family to do so. “However. I asked Jean to ring Abbott's laboratories, where Marie was employed. Cynthia lives at 6 Doctor’s Common, which is adjacent to Mclntyre Avenue.” Witness then described the clothes that Marie was wearing when she left the house. Witness said when it was discovered that Marie had not returned home or turned up at work Marie’s sister Jean went to the home of Cynthia Barrett. There she learnt that Marie had not met Cynthia the night before. Marie's father was informed of this by telephone at his place of employment and it was decided that he should report the girl’s disappearance to the police, which he did the next day. No Reason To Run Away Witness said Marie was quite happy at home and there was no reason for her to run away. She had had no affairs with men and had always been quite straightforward with her parents. Her associates were all boys and girls around her own age. Marie was a bright, happy girl, witness added. Though she would sometimes sit quietly and read, she was never despondent. She was quicktempered, but got on well with the family and there were never any disputes with her. One evening during the washing of the dishes there was a slight argument. Her father spoke to her and sh« ran into the bathroom, receiving » black eye as she did so through hitting her head against the bathroom door. The black eye was not caused lay her father. Marie was inclined to romance sometimes. particularly about boys. She said one night that she had been to a party when she had only been to the pictures and a dance with Cynthia Barrett. Marie was highly strung, but. not hysterical. In February. 1947, she was operated on for appendicitis and afterwards she was all right for a while but then sometimes complained of pains in the head Never Late Home “I knew Marie was not the type of girl to run away with anyone or to go in a car with a strange person.” Witness also said she knew that if anyone had attempted to molest Marie she would have struggled fiercely. She was fond of going to.dances on Saturdav nights, but was never late home. Witness said the name Joe had occasionally been mentioned in the house by Marie. She knew that the police had received an anonymous message in which that name had been used. On the evening of July 7 Marie was running a bit lat" for keeping her appointment with Cynthia Barrett. Witness understood she had had an upset at her place of employment on the Monday. Stic did not. have any row or unset with the family prior to leaving home Witness had never heard Marie say she had reason to leave home. Her condition at no time would indicate that she had suicidal tendencies. Witness was sure she had not taken her life. Witness said her son Terence had arrived home from .1 Force the previous day He had brought presents for alt the family. including Marie. There yes a particularly hapnv family atmosphere at tlie time. Marie was the moving spirit in any celebration. Fun-Loving: Temperament She was a normal girl at all times and had a fun-loving temperament. Witness told Mr. Leicester of sports in which Marie had participated. She said that Marie was allowed out to dances or pictures on Saturday nights and shopping on Friday nights, but apart from meetings of the Catholic Youth movement she was not in the habit of going out on other nights. Mr. Leicester: Are you satisfied that she had no serious attachment for any man? Witness: Quite satisfied. Asked why no inquiries were made from the Barrett’s until the afternoon of July 8 witness said: “Cynthia leaves for her work early in the morning and I knew that site would not be there. I had never been to Cvnthin's bonne. Mrs. Barrett was seen when inquiries were subsequently made. She said Cynthia came home about 8.10 and that Marie had not met her." . . To Mr. Leicester, witness said it would be about 1.40 pin- that she learned from Mrs. Barrett that Mai 10 had not m~t .ru-ntM-i.