HOTEL TRAGEDY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22544, 11 April 1935, Page 10

HOTEL TRAGEDY

DEATH OF MR AND MRS DUNCAN NO SIGNS OF A STRUGGLE (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, April 10. The Royal Oak Hotel tragedy was the subject of an inquest to-day by the coroner, Mr Gilbertson. He road a statement by Mr A. J. Mazengarb, solicitor, which was to the effect that he had been consulted by Mrs Duncan regarding separation and maintenance proceedings and had written to Duncan asking him to consult his solicitors, and subsequent negotiations led to his informing Mrs Duncan that she would bo entitled if she so desired to leave the Royal Oak Hotel. He wrote to Duncan and Duncan’s solicitor, at once, notifying them that she was leaving and that proceedings would bo issued on March 25. Ho then left town and was informed of the tragedy on his return on Sunday evening, March 24. He did not know why Mrs Duncan did not leave the hotel as arranged. Medical evidence was given that there was no sign of a struggle and each had been shot in the head with a small calibre revolver at short range. The internal features suggested that Mrs Duncan had been shot while asleep. Duncan’s injury appeared to be self-inflicted. Police evidence as to the bearing of shots and the subsequent investigation was given and the night porter gave evidence of being called on by the police. He told about the shots and ho made a search with another night porter to see if they could find any person in the unoccupied bedrooms or corridors, but found no one. It was the custom to call Duncan by telephone at 6 o’clock every morning, and when no answer was received that morning and no response was made to knocks at the door the police were informed. Witness got into the bedroom by way of the bathroom window next door, and finding the bodies opened the door and let the police in. Witness said he hoard no shots. He was working in a different part of the hotel. Detective Robinson said the revolver found in Duncan’s hand contained three live and two discharged shells. The coroner said he would give his finding on Friday morning.