TRAGIC DISCOVERY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 167, 14 June 1933, Page 2

TRAGIC DISCOVERY.

GISBORNE COUPLE’S DEATH. Per Press Assoiation. GISBORNE, June 14. A ghastly tragedy which must have occurred nearly a week ago was discovered by the police early this afternoon, when a cottage in the suburbs was broken into. The house was occupied by an elderly couple, and when it was entered it was found that the husband, Joseph Wilson, a waterside worker, had killed his wife by inflicting throat injuries and had committed suicide. Wilson had suffered from influenza and was visited by friends last Wednesday. On the following day it was found the house was closed and as days went on their friends became suspicious and communicated their fears to the police, who broke open the door shortly after noon to-day. In a spare room opening off the kitchen, the wife, clad in a raincoat, was lying on her back on the floor and the husband was in a stooping position with his shoulder resting on a chair. There were no signs of a struggle. The tragedy evidently occurred last Thursday, for a letter written by Mrs Wilson to her mother, who is believed to be in Christchurch, was found lying on the kitchen table, though the envelope was not addressed. The house was spotlessly clean. The couple were childless and had lived alone in Gisborne for many years. There was no evidence of a suicide pact.