FOUND MURDERED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 10 August 1928, Page 5

FOUND MURDERED

A SOCIETY WOMAN

SENSATIONAL CRIME AT LOS

ANGELES

A MEAT CUTTER ARRESTED

United Presß Association—By Eleotrio Telegraph—Copyright Australian Press Association

LOS ANGELES, Bth August., When Frank Melius, a prominent sportsman and manufacturer, returned from a week-end trip, he found his wife's nude body, stabbed and mutilated, in a 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 that the curious and amazing crime was involved in the rivalry between several women for this handsome young man's affections.

Kelly, aged 29, a meat cutter by trade, ' apparently has often chugged along, it is alleged, in his delivery car, paying calls to wealthy ladies during the absence of their husbands. The police interrogated a number of persons, who stated that'they had been to lively parties with Mrs Melius and Kelly. Three women prominent in, club circles, also allegedly interested in Kelly's attentions, have disappeared from Los Angeles,' avoiding publicity and perhaps arrest. .

The case is causing a sensation almost like the Hickman murder. - A negro maid who served Kelly and Mrs Melius with breakfast on the morning'the murder 1 -was committed, told the grand-jury'that her mistress kissed her early morning caller. - "• Experts.stated to-day that the fingerprintsupon the weapons which- killed Mrs Melius were not Kelly's.