TRAGEDY OF JEALOUSY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19558, 10 February 1927, Page 15

TRAGEDY OF JEALOUSY.

WEALTHY WIDOW SHOT. ADMIRER ALSO DEAD. SYDNEY SUBURB SENSATION.

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] SYDNEY. Feb. 3.

The wealthy widow of the late Dr. George Paul, a woman of 40, who had a wide circle of friends, was shot dead pt her residence at Wollstcmecraft, a fashionable suburb of Sydney, on Wednesday evening. • Rene Van de Velde, aged 37, a commercial traveller, who shot the woman, was found lying on a couch in the house, bleeding from two bullet wounds in his head and suffering from the effects of poison, lie died later in hospital

Behind the double tragedy lies a story of jealousy and unrequited love. The man, it is said, was madly in love with the woman, but his affections were not returned and Mrs. Paul had been trying to rid herself of his attentions for a long time. lie was extremely jealous and on occasions would lose his temper just because Mrs. Taul spoke to men.

Mrs. Paul, was an attractive-looking woman, whose parents at the time lived in Fiji, and was well known in Auckland. Her residence, "Ayesha," is one of the prettiest villas in the Wollstonecraft district. Van de Velde, a man who had many friends, was often seen in Mrs. Paul's company. 110 was a native of Holland and a inan of good apperance. The police story b that, about 8-30 a.m. Van de Velde called at the villa in Shirley Road, and was taken to the sitting room, where he spoke to Mrs. PauL Mrs. Paul's maid heard the two talking, and a quarrel broke out.

Van de Velde left the house after Mrs. Paul had told him that she had an appointment with her sister in the city and was going over to meet her. Later in the morning the man again called at the house, and was conducted to the sitting room. Van de Velde told Mrs. Paul that she was too ill to leave her home.

Mrs. Paul tried to telephone her sister, but could get no answer. Shortly after she called her maid to her bedroom and asked her to try again to ring her sister,and tell her that she would not bo able to keep the appointment.

■ Van do Velde told the girl to leave the room. Immediately afterwards he pulled a revolver from his coat pocket and pointed it at Mrs. PauL " Don't, Rene," the woman is said to have called out, and begged the maid to stay with her; but a moment later a shot rang out, and Mrs. Paul fell, with a cry of pain. Her maid dashed from the room -nd hurriedly telephoned the North Sydney police. She went back to the room and it, is alleged that Van de Velde said to her, "It is too late, Clare. I've shot Mrs Paul." The girl .went to the telephone again and while there heard shots fired .in quick succession. Sergeant Coomber, Constable Cummings, and Constable Smith, rf North Sydney, arrived at the house and found Mrs. Paul lying lack in an armchair, dead.

There were three bullet rounds in her head. Va- de Velde was stretched out on the couch. He was bleeding from two wounds in his head and was moan ing Beside him was a Browning revolver and a small bottle containing a few drops of a j*ellow liquid. On a table was a tumbler, in the bottom of which were traces of the samo liquid, which looked like poison.

The police saw that the man had swallowed poison and immediately they poured an emetic down his throat. Van de Velde was conscious; but, when asked what had happened, made no reply. The ambulance was called and the man and the dead woman were conveyed to the hospital.