LOS ANGELES MYSTERY

Hokitika Guardian, 10 August 1928, Page 2

LOS ANGELES MYSTERY

MURDER OF SOCIETY DAME. Australian Press Assn.—United Service LOS ANGELES. Aug. 8. When Frank Melius. a prominent spoilsman and manufacturer, returned from a week-end trip, he found his wife's nude body stabbed and mutilated in the bedroom of their palatial home. Searching the mansion. Melius discovered Leo Kelly crouching in a closet. Kelly was formally charged with murder. He was very incoherent as to what had occurred, but developments suggest a curious. amazing crime involved in tho rivalry between several women for this handsome young man’s affections'; Kelly, aged 29, is a meat cutter by trade. Apparently, lie often chugged along, it is alleged, in his delivery car, paying calls to wealthy ladies during the absence of their husbands. The police have interrogated a number of persons, who stated that they had been at lively parties with Airs Melius and Leo Kelly.

Three women prominent in Club circles, who have also allegedly been interested in Kelly’s attentions, have disappeared from Los Angeles, thus avoiding publicity, and perhaps arrest. The case is occasioning a sensation, almost like the Hickman murder.

A negro maid, who served Leo Kelly and Mrs Melius with breakfast on the morning that the murder was committed told the grand jury that her mistress had kissed her early morning caller. An expert stated to-day that the fingerprints upon the weapons which killed Mrs Melius were not Kelly’s fingerprints.