MYSTERIOUS DEATH.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 237, 6 October 1928, Page 9

MYSTERIOUS DEATH.

GIRL'S BODY FOUND. IN SCRUB AT PANMTIKE. ' CLAD IN YOUTH'S OVERCOAT. .. LEFT EMPLOYMENT ON MONDAY. Early last evening the body of Elsie Walker, aged IS, was found face downwards amongst some scrub in a scoria pit at Panmure. A labourer made the discovery, and immediately informed the Panmuro police, who carried out an examination of the body and also the spot where it was found.

Death had evidently occurred about Tuesday. There were no outward signs or marks of violence. The deceased was wearing a youth's brown overcoat, which has been taken, charge of by detectives.

Miss Walker was the daughter of Mr. D'Eenzy Walker, of Raukokori, near Opotiki. For some time past she_ had. been employed by Mr. and Mrs. Ifrautc Bayly at Papamoa, near Te Puke. Mr. Bayly was her uncle. The spot where deceased was found last evening was about 200 yards from College Road, in the direction of Mount Wellington, and near the Knox Home, between Panmure and Tamaki. ..,.,,. The police are of the opinion that Miss Walker was not the subject of foul play. Dr. Murray, who examined the body, said there was no trace of interference or poison, and he considered that death was probably due to exposure. It has been ascertained that a ear was taken from Mr. Bayly's place on Monday morning. It was found abandoned at Papatoetoe on Wednesday morning. The deceased gave no reason for leaving. Her bed was not slept in on Sunday. It was seven miles from where the car was abandoned to where the body was found.

Deceased was wearing white sandshoes, and, from the appearance of them, it was thought she had walked a considerable) distance. She liad a • sum of money in her possession when she left, but there is no trace of it. There were two letters in the pockets of the boy's coat she was wearing, but they do not throw any light upon her death. A feature of the matter is that the girl was not supposed to be able to drive a car.