SHOOTING MYSTERY

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXII, Issue 12254, 9 April 1935, Page 5

SHOOTING MYSTERY

COOTAMUNDRA TRAGEDY. SURVIVING GIRL’S STATEMENT. RECEIVED MONEY FROM DEAD WOMAN. (U.P.A. by Elec. Tol. Conyright) (Received April 8, 10.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, April 8. Great interest throughout the State is being taken in the inquest proceedings at Stoekinbingal to-day concerning the shooting tragedy near Cootamundra on March 26, when Yvonne, otherwise Rose. Officer was shot dead and Sophie, otherwise Dulcie Tenzer, was shot through the head, hut has now almost recovered. Medical testimony was that Miss Officer’s injuries were self-inflicted and that Miss Tenzer’s injuries were not self-inflicted.

Chief interest to-day was centred in two statements -Miss Tenzer is alleged to have made to the local police since the shooting. She gave her version of the -shooting. She said that, on several occasions, she had received presents of money from Rosie Officer during the four years of their acquaintance. i\liss Tenzer did not indicate why these sums wore paid over. Moreover, Miss Officer wrote to her while she was employed as a typist at a “Land” newspaper in Sydney at least twice a week. For u considerable time, Miss Officer had always represented herself as wealthy and had said that, when she became 25 years of age, she was coming into a lot of money from the estate of a deceased uncle. NOT A DEATIJ PACT. AN AMAZING SUGGESTION. Miss Tenzer further stated that, about 18 months ago, Miss Officer told her that she was going to America and asked her to accompany her. On March 10 last Miss Officer visited Sydney and suggested to her that she (Miss Tenzer) should resign her position, which the latter did. and told her to tell the office staff at her (Miss Officer’s suggestion that she was going to the country to marry “Leslie Officer” and was then going abroad. Miss Officer that week gave her a cheque for £2-0 and a new hat. In fact she assured her that she had so much money that witness would never have to work again. Ihe pair left for Stoekinbingal on March 22. On the day of the shooting, Miss Officer gave her a cheque for an unnamed amount. She also suggested witness write out another for herself for £IOO. Witness told the police that there was nothing in the nature of a death pact. She expressed the opinion that as Miss Offieei s statements about her wealth were untrue she did not desire that this should be known. Witness did not- remember telling anybody that she had discovered that Rosie was a boy or that she had represented herself as a boy. CORONER'S VERDICT. SUICIDE ON ACCOUNT OF UNFINANCIAL POSITION. Mrs. Catherine Ryan, mother of the dead girl, said that her daughter’s name was Rosie Ryan, not Officer. She worked about the farm and, at witness’ suggestion, wore male attire, hut always changed into dresses at night time. Rosie made a few pounds selling sheep, but it was impossible for Miss Tenzer to obtain the impression that there was nn> wealth in the family. All the conversations pointed in the opposite direction. Mrs. Ryan added that she was unable to account, for Miss Tenzer s statement about Rosie s presents of money or the reasons for the close companionship of the two giiL. Wallace Nicholson, bank manager, crave evidence that Miss Offieei s account was in debit at- the time of her death to the extent- of £24. The Coroner found that Miss Ryan or Officer suicided by shooting herself. He added that apparently, she was unprepared to face the financial position wherein she had drifted and decided to kill herself and her girl friend.