Double Murder and Suicide in N.S.W.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 1 May 1931, Page 3

Double Murder and Suicide in N.S.W.

MADLY IN LOVE WITH ANOTHER MAN’S WIFE. Received Thursday, 7.40 p.m. SYDNEY, April 30. A tragedy is reported from Temora, resulting in the death of three people— John Billings, aged 28, a locomotive driv,er, his wife, aged 23, and an unknown man. The police obtained a story from Billings’ adopted son, aged six, who was awakened early in the morning by hearing his father call out. The boy then heard a gun shot and saw his father drop on the floor. His mother rushed to his side and she also was shot. She uttered a shrill cry and fell dead. Both shots were fired through the bedroom window. Neighbours heard the shots and screams and discovered the Billings cottage also on fire. They subdued the flames and rescued the boy. The police later found the body of an unknown man in the local railway shed with a bullet wound in his forehead and a sawn-ofl pearifle beside the body. Letters found in his pocket indicate that he was madly in love with Mrs. Billings. Murder and Suicide SYDNEY, April 30. _ The unknown victim has been identified as W. J. Middlebrook, aged 38, who is believed to have murdered the Billings couple and then suicided.