Double Murder Grows in Horror

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6833, 14 April 1932, Page 7

Double Murder Grows in Horror

Fiendish Treatment Of Dorothy Denzel MOTIVE A COMPLETE MYSTERY United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Received Wednesday, 9.30 p.m. SYDNEY, April 13. The battered body of Dorothy Denzel (not Dcnzil) was lifted from its shallow grave in tho bush three miles from Liverpool to-day. Tho police had kept a vigil overnight, the object being to allow the experts to obtain all available evidcnco by daylight likely to afford clues to the murderer. It was quickly evident that the girl had met the. same terrible fate as her male companion Wilkinson, with whom she went for a motor ride last Tuesday week. The girl’s features were practically obliterated, having been shot, at closo Tango with a shotgun. It is regarded as possible that sho was also outraged before death. The body was practically naked except for a woollen pullover and a piece of dress was drawn tightly round her neck. Tho remainder of her clothing was missing. As in the case of Wilkinson, her hands were tied behind her back with strips of rug.

The police are of opinion that the girl was brutally murdered within ten feet of her grave, J the blood stains indicating tho positibn where she fell. Owing to the heavy rain since the crime was committed, all footprints were obliterated. One of the girl’s shoes was found in the grave and one of her stockings on the way leading to the grave. Twenty feet from the spot the police found pellets of shot and portions of a human skull. These and other grim relics were gathered by the police to assist in tracing the murderer. The motive of the crime is a complete mystery. The only theory is that the person or persons responsible wanted to steal tho car which was a sporting Alvis, and that Wilkinson put up a light, was rendered unconscious and killed. Tho girl was then gagged, outraged and finally killed in order to prevent all possibility of identification.

Deserves Lynching. The community is thoroughly stirred, many citizens declaring the murderer deserves lynching. The detectives possess most valuable evidence, not the least important being the discovery of a shotgun found in a Burwood home, tho owner of which is now being sought. The detectives are said to be certain of the identity of tho murderer.

The hills surrounding the Anzac rifle range in tho Liverpool district are being searched diligently in the hope that tho slayer is in hiding. Wilkinson’s funeral to-day was most impressive, thousands gathering to witness it. Miss Denzel’s body is being interred to-morrow alongside Wilkinson’s under an arrangement between the parents. LATER. Medical evidence reveals that Miss Denzel had not been violated. The police circulated a minute cliscription of the wanted man.