TWO DEATHS

Southland Times, Issue 22042, 15 June 1933, Page 8

TWO DEATHS

TERRIBLE TRAGEDY ELDERLY GISBORNE COUPLE NO SIGNS OF STRUGGLE (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. The house was occupied by an elderly couple and when entered it was found that the husband, Joseph Wilson, a waterside worker had cut his wife’s throat with a razor and had used the razor to commit suicide. Wilson had suffered from influenza and was visited by friends last Wednesday. The following day it was found the house was closed and as the days went on the 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 her 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 was found lying on the kitchen table though the envelope was not addressed. The house was spotlessly clean. The couple were childless and had lived alone in Gisborne for many years. There was no evidence of a suicide pact. Evidence of a murderous attack by the husband was found when the body of the woman was examined, a wound cn the back of her head indicating that Wilson had attacked her from behind while she was sitting at a sewing machine and then cut. her throat with a razor. A piece of sewing was on the machine and the woman apparently had been sitting at the machine with her back to the door. It is understood that Wilson had been suffering from insomnia. WOMAN STRUCK WITH AXE EVIDENCE OF MURDEROUS ATTACK. (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. It appears that the woman had been 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, in comfortable circumstances and the house was well furnished. The rent had been paid to the date of death so that it is evident financial worries were not the cause of the tragedv. It is understood Wilson suffered from insomnia and this, added to an attack of influenza, may have affected his brain. Wilson had been a well-known member of the Watersiders’ Union for the past 13 years, but according to neighbours was of a somewhat morose disposition. He was a very tall and powerful man, while the woman was slight and of average build. The couple had resided in Gisborne for 20 years. Mrs Wilson’s parents reside in Christchurch.