Two Deaths in Flat

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 236, 6 October 1936, Page 4

Two Deaths in Flat

POSSIBLE LEAKAGE OP FUMES

SYDNEY, Sept. 28,

Tlie police aro now convinced that Mr. Edward Summerhayes, aged 69, and his wife, Mrs Ethel Summerhayes, aged 54, who were found dead in a Darlinghurst flat, died from the effects of poisoning, caused by a leakage from another flat in the building which was being fumigated. As ; the couple were 'in comfortable financial circumstances, both owning property and having money in the bank, the cause of the tragedy seemed a mystery. When tests made by the Government analyst proved negative, the detectives mado inquiries from other occupants of the building about the habits of the couple, and they learned that Mr. and Mrs Summerhayes were seldom seen. The police were also told that, a few days before the bodies were found, fumigators warned the occupants of the other flats in the building that the flat opposite the one occupied by Mr and Mrs Summerhayes was to bo sealed and fumigated. They knocked on the door of the Summerhayes’ flat, but, as there was no answer, it was presumed that they were out.’ ’ This gavo the detectives the idea of re-sealing the flat which had been fumigated and testing it by burning sulphur inside. With officers of the Board of Health, they locked themselves in Mr Summerhayes’ flat. In 10 minutes fumes found their way into the flat in which the investigating party was locked. An examination suggested that the fumes had penetrated the flooring and passed through a cavity into the flat. The windows in this flat were closed when the bodies were discovered.