YOUNG MAN FOUND DEAD

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 115, 28 February 1950, Page 3

YOUNG MAN FOUND DEAD

Mystery Surrounds Discovery (P.A.) PALMERSTON N., This Day. Mystery surrounds the discovery in an Awapuni house late last evening of a young man dead with a .22 rifle bullet in his head. His identity at present is nn-. known. •

About 2.30 yesterday Mr F. Cowdrey left home and, on-returning at 10.45 last night, stumbled over something lying in the hall. When a light was secured he found it was a man, and that he was dead with a. 22 rifle lying nearby. The weapon had been taken off hooks over the mantelpiece. The police were notified, and investigations disclosed a new bicycle placed near the back door. A window, which had been left partly open, was found to' be more fully open, and entry to the house may have been gained that way. The young man’s age is thought to be about 20, years. Further inquiries are being' made. The body of the young man found in Mr Cowdrey’s house last night was identified at the inquest this morning as that of Rex Arthur Clarkson, a male nurse at the Awapuni Hospital. An unusual angle to the tragedy is the fact that deceased, who was unknown to Mr Cowdrey, was friendly with a Maori girl, who was .also .an employee at the Awapuni Home, and was drowned while bathing in the Manawatu River yesterday afternoon. The inquest was adjourned.