WANGANUI TRAGEDY

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 28, 3 February 1932, Page 9

WANGANUI TRAGEDY

WIFE AND CHILD DEAD

HUSBAND'S HOME-COMING

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

WANGANUI, 2nd February.

A tragic discovery was made in his home "by William Walter Gray, a seaman, of 16, Duigan street, on Monday night. At, his -wife's request he had been to telephone for a doctor, and on his return he found her and his stepdaughter, Violet (i'^addy"), aged 5, dead, as a result of razor; wounds, and another stepdaughter, Joan, aged 12, suffering from/a wound in the throat anor another on the hand.

Mr. Gray is a member of the crew of the ,coastal vessel Eata. His wife had been ailing for some days, and it is understood suffered great pain. She complained'on Monday night, and 'Mr. Gray; obedient to her request, got up and telephoned Dr. Cooke. He was not away more than ten minutes to a street telephone.: When he returned he was met on the verandah by his elder stepdaughter, ~ who: said, "Daddy, Mummy is dead, and she has killed 'Paddy.'" Mr.'Gray, going . inVide, found .his wife, dead in the hall ' aiid the girl dead in bed.,;

The elder child was attended by Dr. Cooke; who arrived a few minutes later. Her condition is not serious.

Aminquest will :be held on Friday. . . Mrs. Gray was married twice, and both girls' -were'of the first marriage. Their "surname' is CoOper.•' . . Two razors taken by the police'have been^ traced'-as haying been bought by the mother on -the afternoon prior to the tragedy.