LONDON SENSATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16938, 12 January 1923, Page 8

LONDON SENSATION.

WOMAN DEAD IN BATH. PENCILLED NOTE LEFT. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright United Service. (Received January 12, 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, January 11. A pencilled note Avas pinned on Mrs Middleton’s bed linen stating, “In living memory to A. H. M., who committed suicide August 19.” A note in similar terms was pinned m tav’o bedroom doors. A message received yesterday stated that Mrs Middleton, the wife of a mercantile marine officer, disappeared in August last. She Avent to live in a house in Regent Park occupied by Malt by, a tailor. who used it as business premises and a dwelling. Maltby allowed his business to go to pieces, and became a recluse. Prior to Airs Middleton’s disappearance she Avas frequently seen motoring aa ith Maltby, but it is stated that Maltby told the police that he had not seen Mrs Middleton since she left him ,n August. Maltby rarely ventured from the house, and the water and gas services Avere disconnected by the authorities. Armed ay ith a warrant granted by the sanitary authorities, the police broke into the house. As they entered tAvo shots were heard, and Maltby was found wounded in the head, and died ir a few minutes. The 'police found Mrs Middleton’s body bent double, face downwards in a bath, in an advanced state of decomposition. There Avas very little water in the bath.