THE BRANSON MYSTERY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20710, 7 May 1929, Page 9

THE BRANSON MYSTERY

AN ARREST EXPECTED. STATEMENT BY DETECTIVE. (United Press Association.* (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, May 0. (Received May 6, at 11p.m.) The detective who is clearing up the Branson mystery states that he. will lay his hands on the murderer or murderers to-morrow. It is a man or men who knew Miss Branson’s habits well, had entry to her house, aiid knew her four watch dogs. There were a number of things in the dead woman’s life in the isolated retreat which throw a vivid light on the case, which will astonish even her friends. The evidence includes Miss Branson’s diary, in which she noted her movements ' and expenditure with meticulous care; It revealed that Miss Branson had a romantic marriage ‘ with Captain Wilson in 1918. The couple mot during a German air raid at the British base camp in 1917. Wilson divorced her in 1927 after an unhappy married life and a long separation, due to Miss Branson’s eccentricities.—Australian 'Press Association. A previous message read as follows; ■ —Sensational developments are expected in connection with the death of Miss Olive Branson, a cousin of an English High-Court judge, whose body was found in a water tank near the villa where she lived at Lesbaux. The police at first concluded that it was a case of suicide. This the relatives refused to believe, and a post-mortem examination revealed a bullet in the head, and bloodstains were found in the bedroom. It is argued that Olive could not have shot herself and walked to the tank 20 yards in her stockinged feet and a nightdress. Therefore it is a case of murder.