MURDER OF REEKS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8654, 12 February 1914, Page 5

MURDER OF REEKS

CORONER’S VERDICT. Br Tele-rapt—Press Association —Copyrlßhl LONDON, February 10. At the inquest regarding the death of Reeks, the verdict was one of wilful murder by an unknown person. The Coroner said he had not the slightest doubt that Reeks had been cruelly murdered. The police are quite unable to ascertain what brought Reeks into the neighbourhood, or to trace his movements after he left Liverpool. The police are making inquiry as to telegrams sent by two American sailors from Liverpool to Wolverhampton, notifying that someone was visiting a friend. The messages were dispatched on the same day as Reeks left Liver--1 Tho immigration authorities finally decided to release Rogers, tho passenger by the steamer Grampian, who was detained on suspicion of being connected in some way with tho murder of Reeks. Carbonic acid gas prevented an experienced miner descending the Ettingshall pit shaft, near which the body of Reeks, victim of the Wolverhampton murder, ivas found. FURTHER”EVIDENCE. (Received February 11, 11.20 p.m.) LONDON, February 11. At the inquest on Reeks Thomas Kent gave evidence that he did not know of any connection between Reeks and Black. In the country Reeks did not mention Ramsden. Doctor Ashley Smith said he thought two shots had been fired as Reeks was falling. Bullets from live cartridges would have been of less weight than that found in the brain of the murdered man. There were no signs that Reeks had been drugged.