MURDER AND SUICIDE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 10, 7 October 1919, Page 8

MURDER AND SUICIDE

SENSATIONAL TRAGEDY IN

THE CITY

POLICE CONSTABLE KILLED

MURDERER SHOOTS HIMSELF

A sensational murder and suicide occurred at Thorndon early yesterday evening. The murdered man was ■' a police constable, who was shot b); a foreigner named Alexander Aspin, vjhoni he had gone to arrest for attempting to molest his. divorced wife.

It appeal's that about a quarter past, six Aspin, who some twelve months ago was divorced from his wife, called at her residence at No. 9 Brook Street. lib' went around to the rear 'of the premises and commenced to loudly knock at tho back door, evidently seeking admittance, which- was denied to him. The noi6e attracted the attention of an old mail who lives next door, and ho looked over the fence. Observing Aspin, whom he knew to have been previously guilty of annoying Mi's. Aspm, he surmised that lie was up to no good purpose, and he was consequently alarmed for the safety of Mrs. Aspin. He accordingly set out to summon -Constablo Vivian Dudding, who lived close by. During the old man's absence Aspin managed to effect an. entrance through tlib back, but, fortunately, his wife at tne samo time made good her escape through tho front door. Constable Dudding, on being- 'informed by the neighbour as to what was going on, at once proceeded to No. 9 Brook Street. He was accompanied by the old man who,had •called for him. '

Together they went round to the back of the house, but. they could observe no | one on the premises. They waited two or three minutes and then peered - in through tho kitchen window. Aspin was still nowhere to be seen, but as they wero looking through the window a'shot was fired, presumably 'by Aspin. ]t struck Constable Dudding, who fell to the ground. His companion saw that he had been shot through the right eye, and he immediately went and rang-up the Central Ration for • assistance. , : In the meanwhile Aspin apparently deliberately set the house on fire, for on tho arrival of Sergeant Matliieson and Constables Williams and Cafmody, who were quickly on the scene, the Thorndon Fire Brigade, was'outside the house. The brigade had juit extinguished a small outbreak of fire in one of the front upstair rooms, the lead of water having been projocted from the outside through ono of the windows. The police posse, which' was later reinforced by Superintendent Norwood, proceeded to the back of. tho house, 1 and there they found Constable Dudding lying in tho yard outside tlio kitchen window in a dying condition.

Aspin was nowhere to bo seen, but judging by the movements they 'heard he .was still (inside the house,'apparently in the front bedroom. Aspin was, it was surmised, at this stage in the act ot again attempting to set fire to' tho houso. by igniting some bedclothes, as smoko again began to iss^to' from one of tho front bedrooms. The noise ceased, and for a while the police, could hear no more. Then a shot was heard from within tho building. A ladder was placed against the bedroom window, and by means of this ConstaWo Williams entered the room,accompanied by Superintendent Norwood.

Aspin was not found in the room and whilo the fire brigade extinguished the second outbreak the superintendent and' the constable continued their investigations. Coming to a back room they found Aspin lying in a pool of blood with a wound in his temple. Beside him on a chair was a Colt automatic revolver. Both 'injured men were conveyed to the hospital, where Aspin died shortly after 8 o'clock. Constable Dudding lin-' gered on till about an hour later, when he, also passed away. Doaiestic unhappiuess evidently was th& primary cause of the tragedy, and from all accounts when Aspin entered- the house it was with the intention of shoot' ing Mrs. Aspin. The parties Ijiad been estranged for a considerable time, and sinco ;his wife divorced him Aspin persisted in molesting her and more than once she had to seek police protection. His domestic affairs 'preyed on his mind, for the police state that about 12 months ago Aspin attempted to commit suicide. On that occasion he was found

lying on Mrs. Aspin's premises in tho back yard,' having taken poison. Ho was removed to the hospital, and subsequently he made a good recovery. The murderer, who was aged 48 years, was a' Norwegian and,ft Waterside worker. Tho late Constable Dudding was a married man with no children, and much sympathy is'felt for his wife. Deceased lived Thorndon, .and witt attached to tho Central Polico Station. He had been in the forco for about four yoars and was about 32 years of ago. Ho hailed from the Auckland district, f and was muoh esteemed in the force on account of his quiet and unassuming manner.