MURDER AND SUICIDE.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 18004, 26 April 1930, Page 7

MURDER AND SUICIDE.

CALIFORNIAN SENSATION.

QUARREL OVER AN INVITATION

WOMAN SHOOTS HER FRIEND.

A report from Laguna Beach (California) states that Mrs Guy Bates Post, the divorced wife of the actor* and a woman friend, with whom she had been living, were found shot dead at the latter’s bungalow. The police have reconstrued the tragedy as murder and suicide, resulting from a quarrel over a luncheon invitation.

United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. —Copyright.’ (Received April 26, 8.55 a.m.)

NEW YORK, ARpril 25The . authorities to-day expressed the view that Mrs Post, who was 53 years of age, and known on the stage in her youth as Adele Ritchie, shot her friend, Mrs Doris Murray Palmer, in the back, when the latter started to go to a garage to drive off to a luncheon engagement, fifteen minutes after another friend had arrived with an invitation which did not include Airs Post. After brooding over the act for two hours, according to tha police theory, Mrs, Post went to a business section on a shopping tour* striving to regain her calm, but re-i turned to the bungalow some time later, she placed the muzzle of the same revolver in her mouth and pulled, the trigger. The tragedy, which is one of the most sensational in the history of the theatrical cinema colony here, was discovered when two neighbours went to the bungalow to return a pet dog which had strayed. The police learned of the invitation quarrel from a friend who was present while the women exchanged sharp words over the non-inclusion of Mrs Post, and heard the latter warn Mrs Palmer against making the trip.

The shot which killed the latter entered her back, and pierced her heart, while that killing Mrs Post pierced the brain. Mr and Mrs Post were divorced in December, i 929, Mrs Post alleging desertion. The husband did not contest the suit. They had been married since 1916. There were nd children. Mrs Post had been married once before, and was divorced after a sensational trial- Following her separation from Mr Post sbe went tej live with Mrs Palmer, and both worked together in the Little Theatre movement.

Mrs Palmer was the daughter of d wealthy Illinois resident and the din vorced wife of a leading Minnesota; physician. She was 33 years old. Mr Post, who has been playing “Masquerader” in various parts of the English-speaking world for many; years, was featured in the Australian and New Zealand seasons of 1925. He is at present in Honolulu, playing the same part, as the guest star of a local company.

When Informed of the tragedy, Mr Post was profuncßy shocked. **Oiu that is terrible, simply terrible," he said. The actor continued! “It is all so startling to me. Mrs Post had no enemies that I know of, and I cannot conceive either murder or suicide in connection with her or Mrs Palmer. He referred to the reasons for hid divorce as “negligible,” adding that to him Mrs Post would always be remembered as “the lovely, startling woman,” whom he had married when she was the toast of New York for her singing and acting. He stated: “The two women had things in common. It is simply beyond me hovfl this thing could have happened."

DRIFTING APART.

INCENSED AT ESTRANGEMENT. “I COULD KILL THAT WQMANT* United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel.— Copyright (Received April 26, 11.30 ami.) NEW YORK, April 25. The Laguna Beach authorities have decided that Airs Post’s fear that she was losing the close friendship of Mrs Palmer caused a tragedy. The officials have learned that Mrs Palmer was gradually drawing away from Mrs Post, whom the growing coolness greatly angered. Sheriff Jernigan has discovered that when Mrs Palmer failed to rash to the side of Mrs Post when the latter was taken ill at Wednesday night's rehearsal, several witnesses heard Mrs Post mutter, “I could kill that woman 1”