MURDER SUSPECTED

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 149, 19 March 1920, Page 8

MURDER SUSPECTED

WOMAN FOUND DEAD

THROAT CUT IN LONELY LANE

By Telegraph—Special Correspondent. Palmerston North, March IS. A woman was found dead in a quiet spot on the outskirts of the town this morning, witli every evidence that she had been the victim of a most cold-blood-ed murder. The spot at which the body was found was a very out-of-the-way one, being an .■unformed cross-street. between Euahine and Fitzroy Streets, commonly known as the Grassy Lano and having no houses fronting orf it. The body was first discovered by a neighbour named Wills, who was passing through the lano shortly before 6 o'clock this morning. He was attracted by seeing a woman lying alongside tho feneo uudei some overhanging pine trees. Close inspection a-evcalod the fact, that she was dead, her throat having been cut. TJie wound was evidently inflicted with a very sharp.instrument,'but a search of tho locality failed to reveal.any signs of such a weapon. The nature of the wound and the absence of a weapon are thought to preclude any suggestion of suicide. The only thing found near the body was a bottle of ale, from which the cork had not been drawn.

The unfortunate woman was Mrs. Mary Etheline Webbey. aged 33 years, wife of Felix .Webbey, who, with his- wife and little daughter (aged nine), lived fit .42 Manson Street, about a quarter of a mile from the p.not where the body was found'. Webbeyis employed as a driver for a Arm of contractors in the town.

So far as can be ascertained, Mrs. Webbey was scon leaving her 'house about •4.30 p.m. yesterday, with a man, going In tho direction of the spot where she met her death. - Just before 6 p.m. she was noticed entering the Grassy Lane from Euahine Street, and'from that time her movements have not been traced.

M.r. AYebbey went home to tea last night, and, finding' no one at home (the little girl being away from home),fho {rot his own tea and afterwards went to the Manawatu River with some, friends, eelfishing. He did not get back antillato at night, when he found that his wife had not returned. Ho left homo for work at 7.80 .this morning, and was unaware of what had happened until he was informed by the police. The policeare investigating the affair, but up to a late hour to-night no arrest had been made. An. inquest will be opened tomorrow morning.