THE SOUTH HEAD SUICIDE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1260, 23 April 1896, Page 36

THE SOUTH HEAD SUICIDE.

Sydney, April 10. A terrible tragedy has come to light in connection with tho South Head suicide. The body has been identified as that of James William Down, who was residing with his wife at Surrey Hills. Tho suicide led to tho discovery that Airs Down had disappeared, and it was ascertained that the couple had left home together on the morning of the suicide. They were traced to tho North Shore, where they went to a registry office to enquire for rooms for a married couple.

All search to trace the woman failed until to-day, when the body was found by a swagman in a lonely part of the bush at North Shore with a tearful gash in the throat.

There was evidence of a struggle, and the face of the woman was almost eaten away by animals.

It is supposed that the couple renewed tho quarrel which they had before leaving home.

After committing the deed, Down returned to the city, where he hired a cal) and drove to the South Head, and carried out his premeditated intention of eonimiting suicide.

For several years Down carried on an extensive butchery business in the city, but for the last three years he lived in retirement mi money received from England. It is stated he was expecting - a remittance of between £SOOO and £6OOO in a few days. He married the murdered woman a year ago, but they lived most unhappily. Down was intemperate in his habits, and jealous and suspicious of his wife’s fidelity; and he was constantly ill-using her.

At tho inquest on tho body of Down, evidence was given of tho serious quarrel with his wife on the morniugof the tragedy. The jury found a verdict that there was insufficient evidence to show whether ho jumped or fell over the cliff. Sydney, April 17.

At the inquest on Airs Down a verdict was returned of wilful murder against tho husband.