SHOCKING TRAGEDY

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLXII, Issue 15242, 7 January 1943, Page 2

SHOCKING TRAGEDY

FARMER’S DEATH AT MASTERTON. Electric Telegraph—Press Association MASTERTON, Jan. 6. The body of Peter Emerson, married, farmer, aged 41, was found with shocking injuries on his farm at Te Ore Ore by the Masterton police last nigh* at about 8 o’clock. His left baud had been severed at the wrist and his throat cut. The injuries were apparently self-inflict-ed. At the same time his parents, Mr a.nd Mrs Emerson. were admitted to the Masterton Public Hospital with injuries believed to have been inflicted by him. It is thought that Emerson chopped off his own hand at the cliopj*i lie- block where it was founo. holding the axe in his right hand. A blood-stained blade razor was found in the bathroom of the house With a trail of blood leading to tlie body some 60 yards from tlie house Mrs Emerson was found about 50 yards from the house and her husband in the dwelling. Both ere suffering from scalp wounds and shock. Mrs Emerson’s condition was reported tonight to be satisfactory, and Mr Emerson’s only fair. Tlieir son was admitted to the Masterton Hospital three mouths ago with head injuries self-inflicteJ. and had since been in the care of h's wife and parents. Evidence of identification was given by Mr F. Hunt when the inquest opened before the district coroner, Mr L. J. Taylor, this morning, ft was adjourned till this evening, when Dr. John Rich stated that he had been taken to the body but had found life extinct. On September 7, 1942, he attended Emerson for head injuries, and had then considered that Emerson should have bedcommitted to an institution. He was then suffering from acute anxiety neurosis. The mqnest was adjourned sine die.