Murder and Suicide.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 242, 17 April 1896, Page 2

Murder and Suicide.

A HUSBAND AND WIFE. (Per Press Association.) Sydney, April 16. A terrible tragedy has come 10 light in connection with the South Head suicide. The body Ims been indentified ns that of Jus. William Down, residing with hia wife at Surrey Hills. The suicide led to the discovery that Mrs Down bad disappeared, and it was ascertained thut the couple had left home together on the morning of the suicide. They were traced to the North shore, where they went to a registry office to enquire for rooms for a married couple. For several years Down carried on an extensive butchery business|in the city, for the last three years he lived in retirement on money sent from England. It is stated he was expecting a remittance of between £"5000 and £6000 in a few days. All search to trace the missing woman had failed until to-day, when her body was found by a swagsroan in a lonely part of the bush at the North shore with a fearful gash in the throat. There was evidence of a struggle and the face of the woman was almost eaten by animals. . Is is supposed the couple nenewed the quarrel which they had before leaving home. After committing the deed Down returned to the city, where he hired a cab and drove to South Head and carried out a premeditated intention of committing suicide. He married the murdered woman a year ago but they were most unhappy. Down was intemperate in his habits and jealous and suspicious of his wife's infidelity, and was constantly ill-using her. At the inquest on the body of Down, evidence was giyen of a serious quarrel with his wife on the morning of the tragedy. The jury found a verdict that there was insufficient evidence to show whether he jumped or fell over the cliff.