FAMILY WIPED OUT

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXIX, Issue 255, 6 November 1934, Page 5

FAMILY WIPED OUT

In Domestic Tragedy TRIPLE MURDER AND SUICIDE? POLICE INVESTIGATIONS (Per Press Association). HAMILTON. Last Night. An entire family was wiped out in a shocking domestic tragedy which, occurred at a small dairy farm at Horsham Downs, five milfs from Hamilton, at 11.30 this morning. The victims were: — Harry T. Rogers, aged 2«, farmer. Marion Isabel Golden Rogers, aged about 26, his wife. Barbara Rogers. aged 2j years. Nola Rogers, aged IO months. The first indication that anything was amiss came when the shepherd, a brother of Mrs. Rogers, who is employed on Rogers' farm, called at 12.30 p.m. He was shocked to find his sister lying dead in the washhouse, which adjoins the two rooms of the uottage. Without investigating further he rushed back to get a neighbour, Mr. G. M. Williamson. The latter went across to Rogers’ ' cottage, and there found all the memi bers of the family dead. Rogers was lying on his face in the bedroom with a pea rifle partly underneath him. In the same room, lying in a cot, was the child Barbara, also dead. The body of the baby, Nola, was found in her pram in the kitchen. All the victims had been shot at close range with a pea rifle. The body of .Mrs. Rogers, which also contained a pea rifle bullet, was found lying in the wash-house. It was obvious that she was shot while engaged in washing. The family had been on the farm since last June. The farm is of 50 acres in extent, and the Rogers were milking 50 cows. The house had been erected when Rogers entered into occupation. Although not well-known in the district, they had been exceedingly popular with all with whom they had come in contact with. Mr. Williamson stated this afternoon that Rogers had visited his farm (about a mile away) at 11 o'clock this morning to return wire strainers he had borrowed. He was then quite normal and gave no indication of any stress or worry. It is stated, hbwever. that Rogers was a man triven to worry, and had heen in a depressed state for some time. He is said to have suffered financial worries. Several articles of clothing were found hanging on the clothes lines, and there was another tub full of washing in the wash-house, vheie Mrs. Rogers met her death. Investigations by the police on Rogers' farm this afternoon point to the theory of triple murder and suicide. no notes or any indication of Rogers' intention being found. Mrs. Rogers returned only a few days ago from a holiday with the children. There is no access to the house except over paddocks. .