TRAGEDY IN THE WEST END.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8270, 31 May 1890, Page 2 (Supplement)

TRAGEDY IN THE WEST END.

A WOMAN SHOT AT AN HOTEL. SUICIDE OF HER ASSAILANT. A STARTLING tragedy took place in Leicester Square on April 15. For some days a young Belgian, Alfred do Guedon, said to be well connected, had been staying with his wife at the Hotel de l'Europe, occupying one of the front rooms on the third floor. Soon after three o'clock on Friday the sound of a pistol shot was heard in their apartment, immediately followed by a woman's scream. A gentleman named Hoffman, also staying at the hotel, at once wont upstairs, and on opouing the door Madame Guedon, whose face was covered with blood, rushed out. As Guedon, who had a revolver in his hand, threatened to shot Mr. Hoffman if he dared tc enter the room, the latter turned and descended the stairs in search of assistance. This was soon forthcoming, but when the room was entered Guedon was found lying upon the floor quite dead. He had shot himself twice in the forehead. A surgeon, who was at once sent for, on seeing the woman pronounced her to bo in a most precarious condition, and ordered her removal to the (;huring Cross Hospital. The bullet entered her right temple, and travelling downwards, pierced the eye. It appears that the pair were in financial difficulties. On Thursday Guidon borrowed a small sum from one of his countrymen, whom he had met casually, and on Friday, when the hotel bill was presented, they had no means with which to pay it. Their baggage was ready packed and the deceased had expressed an intention to leavo London that, night for Brussels, but his pecuniary difficulties appear to have driven him to the commission of the crime. The principals in the sad affair were only a youth and a girl, not by a long way out of their teens. Three months ago the young Belgian came to the hotel and remained there for some time, lie was a Belgian of about seventeen years of age, and gave the name of Albert de Guedon. Ho also said he came from Brussels, but beyond this little seems to be known as to his ante" cedents. He, however, apc>ears to be a gentleman, and during his visit called at Chapman's, in Leicester Square, and had one hundred cards printed. The cards, for which he paid ready money, were of very superior quality, and over the name he had engraved a coronet, surmounted with nine balls, which on the Continent would indicate the position of a count. After remaining at the hotel for a few weeks ho left for the Continent, and three weeks since returned with a well-dressed girl of about sixteen, who, he said, was his wife, and who wore a wedding ring. The ring, however, was on one of the fingers of the right hand. At half-past two on Friday afternoon Maximo Joucrgla, the landlord, handed Guedon a bill for £7 10s, Guedon having packed his boxes with the expressed intention of proceeding to Brussels. Nothing was suspected at the time of the tragedy which shortly afterwards followed.

Tho police after the tragedy searched Guedon boxes, but found nothing to lead to hi* identity. Among Ins property were some boxing gloves. There was also a pair of gentlemen's riding boots, but nothing to indicate that he followed any occupation, and the police are inclined to believe that he comes of good family.