TRAGEDY REVEALED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21980, 15 June 1933, Page 8

TRAGEDY REVEALED

COUPLE FOUND DEAD IN HOUSE MURDER AND SUICIDE INDICATED (Per United Press Association.) GISBORNE, June 14. A ghastly tragedy which must have occurred nearly a week ago was discovered by the police early this afternoon when a cottage in the suburbs was broken into. i The bouse was occupied by an elderly couple, and when entered it was found that the husband, Joseph Wilson, a waterside worker, bad apparently cut his wife’s throat with a razor and had then used the razor to commit suicide. Wilson had suffered from influenza, and was visited by friends last Wednesday. The following day the house was found to be closed, and as the days went on friends became suspicious and communicated their fears to the police, who broke open the door shortly after noon to-day. In a spare room opening off the kitchen the wife, clad in a raincoat, was lying on her back on the floor, and the husband was in a stooping position with his shoulder resting on a chair. There were no signs of a struggle. The tragedy evidently occurred last Thursday, for a letter written by _ Mrs Wilson to her mother, who is believed to be in Christchurch, Vvas found lying on the kitchen table, though the envelope was not addressed. The house was spotlessly clean. The couple had no children, and had lived alone in Gisborne for many years. There was no evidence of a suicide pact, DETAILS RECONSTRUCTED MURDEROUS ATTACK BY HUSBAND.

(Per United Press Association.) GISBORNE, June 14.

In connection with the Whatauroko tragedy a search of the premises revealed an axe with the blunt part of the head covered in blood. This suggests that the woman was subjected to a murderous attack by her husband. Apparently she had been sitting- at the sewing machine when the blunt part of the axe descended on her head with terrific force, and while unconscious her throat was cut. From the trail of blood it was evident that the man had then faced a mirror and cut his own throat with the same razor as he used on his wife.

The couple, from all accounts, were in comfortable circumstances, and the house was well furnished. The rent had been paid to the date of death, so that it is evident that financial worries were not the cause of the tragedy. It _is understood Wilson suffered from insomnia and this, added to an attack of influenza, may have affected bis brain.

Wilson had been a well-known member of the Waterside Workers’ Union for the past 13 years. According to the neighbours he was of a somewhat morose disposition. He was a very tall man of powerful build, and his wife was slight and of average build. The couple had resided in Gisborne for 20 years. Mrs Wilson’s parents reside in Christchurch.