GHASTLY TRAGEDY

Gisborne Times, Volume LXX, Issue 11095, 3 January 1930, Page 5

GHASTLY TRAGEDY

WOMAN BEHEADS DAUGHTER - WITH RAZOR. THEN COMMITS SUIcTDE. United Press Assn, by El. Tel. Copyright (Received Jan. 2, 9.10 p.m.) SYDNEY, jan. 2. A tragedy occurred to-day at Stanmore a 'suburb of Sydney, when Airs. Osborne,-aged about 35, beheaded her six-year-old daughter Phyllis with a. razor. She afterwards committed suicide by cutting her own throat before a mirror. Als. Osborne, with her husband, who is a plumber, and her daughter, came from New Zealand about two years ago, and occupied a flat m Cavendish street Stanmoro. The woman recently hud a breakdown, and was also greatly worried at the prospect ol her husband being likely to become unemployed owing to industrial disturbances. Her husband was not at home at the time of the tragedy, which occurred after breakfast. Airs. Osborne rushed downstairs screaming “I’ve killed Phyllis!” and tearing at her own hair. The landlady. Airs. Matthews, trietf to pacify her and then summoned help. The peliee discovered the girl’s dead body and also the mother's body hi an upstairs bedroom. Airs. Matthews explained that she pursued Mrs. Osborne all round the room, trying to v rest the razor from her. I’naliy she saw her stand before a, mirror and liaek her throat. Airs. Matthews bailed a man passing by to come to her aid hut it was then Loo late. It is understood that Mi's. Osborne’s brother, who arrived by the Ulimaroa yesterday, paid her a visit. The Osbornes are described as a lovable family. (Received Dec. 3, 12.-10 a.m.) SYDNEY, Jan. 2. The dead woman’s name was Florence Alay Osborne, and she was aged twenty-nine. The husband’s name is James Francis Osborne. It is not. known in what part of New Zeaalml thev formerly lived.

A tragic feature is tlie fact- that the husband was away at work all day, and was unaware of the tragedy until he read m the evening papers on his way home. He immediately alighted from the tram and rushed to the morgue where his worst fears were confirmed.