BRUTAL ASSAULT ON YOUNG WOMAN

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 91, 11 January 1935, Page 10

BRUTAL ASSAULT ON YOUNG WOMAN

A Westport Mystery

THREATENING LETTERS RECEIVED

By Telegraph—Press Association. Westport, January 10.

Detectives and police are investigating a brutal assault of a young woman, Muriel McDonagh, 18 years old, on .Monday night. The victim, who was still unconscious to-day, was found in that condition on the veranda of a residence about 70 yards out of the street in which she was proceeding to her home. She left a girl friend just before the time of the assault must have taken place, and did not mention about calling anywhere before going home, where her friend understood she was going immediately. It is considered that she was attacked immediately after leaving her friend, and carried to the veranda of the residence where she was found. . Under ordinary circumstances it might be surmised that the "girl had been taken ill suddenly and suffered a fall, but she had been receiving threatening. anonymous letters, as also had her friends, making it appear that the assault was premeditated. The victim is popular and of good character, being a member of a well-known Westport family. When discovered, she had a note inside her clothing on which were written the words, “Revenge is sweet.” The assault took place about 9 p.m., but inquiries among residents in the vicinity can throw no light on the matter. The streets were unfrequented, as the night was stormy.