A BODY EXHUMED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 299, 19 December 1933, Page 7

A BODY EXHUMED

DEATH OF A TEACHER SUGGESTION OF ASSAULT THEORY OF RELATIVES [ Per Pres« Association. 1 CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 18. On September 17, Aliss Jessie AT, Ftndall, teacher at Otekaioke special school, was found unconiA'ious at the foot of an 11-foot bank'of a dry creek bed near the school. There were two severe wounds on her forenead. She was removed to Oamaru Hospital, and died on September 25 without regaining consciousness. Very little information was obtainable at the time, but certain other facts have since come to light. It appears that when deceased was found her shoes had been removed and were lying alongside, also a book that sh< had taken' to read. Apart from the injuries to her forehead, there was no other bruise or graze on any othei part of her body. Auckland relatives, apparently not entirely satisfied that the injuries were caused by a fall from the bank, have been instrumental in having an intensive investigation made by the police, and the body was exhumed lasi week. TWO WOUNDS ON HEAD. TAKING OF FINGER PRINTS ( Per Press Association. I AUCKLAND, Dec. 18. It was learned to-night that the bcly of Aliss Fendall, who was assistant chief teacher at the school, was exhumed as thc result of a suggestion that she had been the victim of an assault, and that her death wa.s not accidental as was at first believed. The theory that Aliss Fendall’s death was not accidental resulted from a medical examination, which showed that, apart from two severe wounds on the head, she bore no bruises or scratches on any other part of her body to indicate that she had fallen. It waa stated, moreover, that her wristlet watch was still going, the glass being unbroken, while her coat, book aud handkerchief were placed on a nearby ledge in an orderly manner and not in keeping with the theory that they had fallen from the top of the bank, or that they had been so arranged by the deceased after she had been injured. Deceased was found in a reclining position, apd her shoes had apparent!} been removed. It was reported that rain fell in the interval of the week which elapsed between tho finding of her body and .the commencement of the inquiry into ‘the possibility of an assault*. Tho police were thrns handicapped in their investigations. A thorough search.revealed no weapon. It was considered that tho wounds might have been made with a pick or some similar instrument. There was p. north easterly gale on the day on which Miss Fendall was injured, ami the theory is held that she had taken advantage of the shelter afforded by the 'reek bed to enjoy a rest. Tho spot is said to have been used on previous occasions a*s t sheltering retreat in rough weather. It is understood that the exhumation was carried out to enable the deceased’! fingerprints to be taken for a com parison with some found on certair articles she had in her possession when she was injured. Shortly after Mis? Fendall’s death an inquest was opened and was adjourned after evidence of identification had been given. Aliss Fendall was the daughter of Mr. and Airs. H. T. Fonda!., of 103 Jervois Road, Ponsonby. She was born in Timaru and came to Auckland as a girl, being educated at tho Auckland Girls’ Grammar School. She was associated with the Campbell Kindergarten and Myers Kindcrgaret Schools for some years, and went to tho Otokaike Special School abou' seven wars ago.