BRUTAL MURDER.

Thames Star, Volume LXII, Issue 17438, 24 August 1928, Page 5

BRUTAL MURDER.

MENTAL NURSE SLAIN.

GHASTLY WAITATI CRIME

AWFUL DOUBLE TRAGEDY. <By Telegraph.—Press Association.) DUNEDIN. Aug. 24. A single woman, Peggy McInnes, was ; found at Waitati shortly after midnight with her throat cut and her head bashed in, and nearby was found the body of Thomas EIRs with his throat cut.

Further details of the double tragedy at Waitati seem to reveal a brutal murder. The scene was the grounds •of the Orakanui Mental Home. The murdered woman. Peggy MeInnis, aged 25. was employed as a nurse on the staff, being recently transferred from Seaeliff, while Thomas Ellis, aged about 35, was employed as a bricklayer at Seaeliff .by the Love Construction Company. Just before midnight, Constable Pearce was awakened by a man named ■O’Neill, a member of. the hospital staff, who stated that he had heard groans from the drive, and, on going out found Ellis staggering about with his *throat cut.

Constable Pearce, on going to the scene, found Ellis dead; he returned home, but later was awakened with the news that the nurse was missing. After a search, her body was found amongst the scrub beneath some pine frees. She was lying on ,a travelling rug, and her Head was terribly bashed and her throat cut.

The deed was apparently done with a stone tied in a handkerchief, and a •pocket knife.

WAS MOTIVE JEALOUSY?

GIRL HAD TWO BEAUX,

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) DUNEDIN, Aug. 24.

It transpires that Ellis, with his "throat cut, was found roaming around the hospital- grounds within 30yds. of the spot where the murdered girl was subsequently located. This means that his cries must have been particularly loud to have attracted notice from the hospital building.

The motive appears ‘to have been one arising from jealousy. Miss Mclnnes was keeping <* impany with two men, Ellis being one, and it appears she was hesitating as to whom she would eventually choose. In Ellis’ coat the police found a letter addressed to him, which had been sent by the girl. It was couched in friendly, if not loving, terms, and through it an appointment to meet was made, but not for the night of the tragedy. The Love Construction Company states that Ellis was with their Arm at Seaeliff only until July 21 last. 'Therefore, as far as is known, he had been out of woi'k for some time.