TRAGEDY AT MIRAMAR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 June 1938, Page 8

TRAGEDY AT MIRAMAR

THREE YOUNG CHILDREN MURDERED FATHER’S TERRIBLE DISCOVERY POLICE SEARCH FOR MOTHER OF VICTIMS (By Telegraph—Press Association). WELLINGTON, This Day. A shocking tragedy was disclosed last evening at Miramar, when Mr Colin Sandlant, Wellington business man, returning after his day’s work to his home at 76 Para Street, found his three young children lying dead in the bathroom with heads battered, it is believed with an axe, and his wife missing. The victims are:— Roger Sandlant, aged 5 years. Denny Sandlant, aged 3 years. A baby boy, aged 6 months.

It is understood that Mrs Sandlant and the children were all alive and well yesterday morning and were seen during the day by neighbours, when they appeared to be going about their usual activities. Mr Sandlant discovered the bodies of his children at about 6.30 p.m. As soon as Mr Sandlant informed the police of what had happened, a search was organised in the vicinity, and Inspector J. Carrol tpok charge of the investigations. The bodies of the three children were taken to the morgue. At a late hour last night police constables remained on guard in the building. No arrest was made, however, and no news obtained of the whereabouts of the children’s mother. The house is a two-storied wooden building separated by a vacant section from the block of shops in the east side of Para Street, at its junction with Darlington Road. The Sandlants occupied the top story, a separate, selfcontained flat, to which access is gained by an outside stairway, the front door opening on to a small porch. The bottom flat is occupied by Mr Alexander Cecil Agnew, milk depot employee, his wife, and two small children. The family from the bottom flat was absent last night, having gone to stay with friends when the tragedy was discovered.

The two eldest boys are stated to have been great favourites in the neighbourhood, both being attractive and lively youngsters. The baby was still in arms. Para Street is a dark and lonely road at night. Residents in the immediate vicinity were considerably alarmed by the obvious police activities in the house and afterward on the steep hillside behind it, where apparently a search was conducted. The weapon with which the children were killed has not yet been found. No time has yet been fixed for the inquest, but it will take place at the earliest possible moment. BODY FOUND BELIEVED TO BE THAT OF MRS SANDLANT. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. A body believed to be that of Mrs Mary Celia Sandlant, aged 29, was recovered from the rocks at Worser Bay, at about 11.30 today, and taken to the morgue.