SENSATIONAL TRAGEDY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20761, 2 January 1931, Page 10

SENSATIONAL TRAGEDY.

FOUR DEATHS ON FARM. MAN'S TERRIBLE SUICIDE. PLACES GELIGNITE IN MOUTH. By Telegraph—Preau Asnocinlion—Copyright. (Received January 1, 7.45 p.m.) PERTH, Jan. 1. Tho bodies of Mrs. McCaskcll, aged 28, wife of Victor McCaskell, and her eight-months-old baby were found battered to death on her husband's farm at Bruco Rock. The body of William Albert, aged 21, who was employed on tho farm, was found hanging on the verandah of tho farmhouse. Albert had been given notice of dismissal by the husband earlier in the day and he then said: "You will be sorry for this."

The murdered woman's husband, who is 28 years of age, subsequently also met with a violent and sensational end, thus making a fourth victim. When he learned that the police had held up the funeral of his wife and child, ho was fourteen miles away awaiting tho cortege. McCaskell suddenly motored back' to his farm at high speed pursued by a policeman. McCaskell drove right through a wire fence and halted his car near a haystack. Ho then placed a plug of gelignite in his mouth and blew his head and a portion of his body to atoms. The policeman arrived just in time to witness the horrible deed.

The police who are investigating tho murders of Mrs. McCaskell and her child say they are not satisfied with the theory that they were committed by Albort. It has been definitely established that Mrs. McCaskell's life was insured recently for £2000.'