AN ANCIENT CRIME.

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 15341, 15 September 1923, Page 5

AN ANCIENT CRIME.

MURDER OP TOOMBS,

THEORY OF THE CRIME.

Received September 15, 10.30 a.m. LONDON, September 14.

It has been definitely established that Eric Toombs, whose body was found in a cesspool on September 12, was shot in the back of the head before he was put nito the well. A bullet hole was found at the back of the skull. The police believe the murder was committed about April 22, 1922, which was roughly the lime when Toombs mysteriously disappeared, and Ernest Dyer's (the Air Force officer who committed suicide when about, to be arrested) agitation was noticeable. On one occasion someone said to Dyer, "I believe Toombs has met with foul play. I am going to Scotland Yard." Dyer replied, "If you do I may as well blow my brains out." Toombs' father, who is an elderly clergyman, says he discovered that £1350 was standing to his' son's credit in a London bank. This had.been transferred to Paris, and drawn out. The father's theory of the affair is that on his son's death Dyer obtained possession of the dead man's passport, suit and papers, and impersonated him, collecting the £1350 standing to iiis credit at the bank. It is said that Dyer impersonated Toombs in Iho tone of his' voice, his n.lmc, and the cut of his clothes. «« The finding of Toombs' body followed a dream by his father that his son had bee nburied in Denley.