ARREST MADE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26530, 4 August 1947, Page 4

ARREST MADE

AUCKLAND MURDER MARRIED WOMAN CHARGED P.A: AUCKLAND, Aug. 2. An Auckland woman was arrested to-day and charged with the murder of Mrs Gladys Rusden at One Tree Hill on June 5. She was Pansy Louise Frances Haskell, aged 49. She lived with her husband at 11 Bollard avenue. New Lynn. Before her marriage, about July 10, her name was Mrs The arrest was made by Senior Detective Kearney and Detective Sergeant W. Fell, who have been engaged exclusively in the investigation. A car arrived with a police party at Mrs Haskell’s home in Bollard avenue, and a detective left carrying a suitcase. A few minutes later Mrs Haskell entered the car and was driven to the Central Police Station, where she was charged with the murder of Mrs Rusden. It is not expected that she will appear in the Police Court before Monday, morning. when the. police will request a remand. Husband’s Grim Discovery Mrs Rusden, who was 47 years old, was found murdered in the kitchen of her home by her husband at about 530 p.m. on June 5. Her husband, Richard Alfred Rusden, is a foreman cooper, living at 37 Horotutu road, One Tree Hill. . , Rusden left home for his work at about 7 a.m. after he and his wife had had breakfast; At that time Mrs Rusden was wearing her pyjamas and dressing gown. He returned home about 5.30 p.m., and the house was locked. As he did not have a key, he entered the house by means of the washhouse window. Entering the kitchen, he saw his wife’s body lying on the floor in a pool of blood. She had suffered extensive head injuries and was dead. He immediately called a doctor and communicated with the police. Extensive Police Inquiries Mrs Rusden intended leaving the house during the day to do some shopping, but for some time it was not known whether she did so. The remains of the breakfast had been, removed and the dishes washed, and there was no sign of anything having been disturbed. • , Police inquiries persisted during the ensuing two months, and at one stage it was reported that Mrs Rusden had been threatened by a woman a short time before her death, and that she had been telephoned and visited by this woman.