HOTEL MYSTERY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20088, 7 November 1939, Page 10

HOTEL MYSTERY

WOUNDED COUPLE BEDROOM DISCOVERY GUESTS FOR A DAY WIFE’S TRAGIC FATE DEATH IN KITCHEN (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, this day. Further details have been revealed of the discovery of a man and woman guests in a bedroom at the Station Hotel suffering from wounds in the arms, and the subsequent finding of the dead body of the man’s wife in her home at North Shore.

Leonard Laurie, aged 30, a storeman at the naval base, and Annie Josephine Laycock, aged 35, wife of David Laycock, employed by the Devonport Ferry Company, were removed at 8.30 yesterday morning from a bedroom in the hotel, at which they booked in the previous day. They were suffering from wounds in the 'arms, Mrs. Laycock being in a serious condition through loss of blood. Later the police found Mrs. Laurie dead, with her head near a gas oven door at her home at Belmont, North Shore.

David Laycock, husband of the woman in hospital, said to-day he knew nothing of his wife’s presence at the Station Hotel until he was informed at 11.30 a..n. yesterday. Prioi to that he had been to the Central Police Station, as he wished to see Detective Brady, whom he knew well by reason of the fact that ‘the detective had formerly been stationed at Devonport. He said he had reported his wife's absence from home. Deteclive Brady was not at the station, but Mr. Laycock related some of the circumstances concerning his wife's absence when questioned by another member of the detective staff. He also said he had handed to the detective a note in his wife’s handwriting which he had found on the kitchen table when he returned home the previous night at 11.40 from a visit to Hamilton.

Neighbours For Five Years

Mr. Laycock, who is employed by the Devonport Steam Ferry Company as a ticket collector, said he had lived in Egremont street for exactly five years, and that Mr. and Mrs. Laurie had lived in the house next door for the past 10 or 12 years. “We were friendly as neighbours are and sometimes visited each other’s homes. Sometimes we had a game ol cards. We were on the best of terms,” said Mr. Laycock. “On Saturday night my wife went out, saying she was going to the home of her sister at Mount Albert. She took our son. a boy of 12, and suggested I should go through to Hamilton with my mother on Sunday by tile excursion train. She asked me what I was going to do, and 1 said I would go over to town and might have a game of cards or go to the pictures.

“I came over to town and went to the pictures, and caught the boat back to the Shore. Immediately afterwards I went to bed in the back room, and when my wife came come I was surprised, because I had understood she was going to stay the week-end with her sister.

Three-Page Note

"When I expressed surprise, my wife said she had not stayed with her aster because it was not convenient to stay, as her sister was getting ready to shift. Nothing, more was said and in the morning I got up early and made my wife a cup of tea. I kissed her ‘gocd-bye’ and went off to Hamilton.

“I readied home at 11.40 last night, having come straight from the train, and discovered that my wife was not at home. I found a three-page note, which I handed to the police this morning. 1 was worried after reading the note and spent a troubled night. Early this morning a friend, who lives about half a mile away, knocked me up and told me that yesterday morning my wife had called him on the telephone. During the conversation he said she had sort of collapsed.”

Mr. Laycock said that after talking to his friend and considering the contents of the note, he formed the opinion that his wife had left home in a very troubled state of mind.

Very Agitated Condition

"'I know my wife and I do not want it to be thought that she would have gone away had she not been in a very agitated condition,” said Mr. Laycock. “I have never at any time noticed anything between, Laurie and my wife of intimate friendship. She is a highspirited woman and loves company. She has a bad heart, and I am afraid, after seeing her in the hospital this morning, she is in a very low condition. If required, I will gladly give a blood transfusion.”

When the police entered the house of Laurie in Egremont street this morning they found the dead body of Mrs. Laurie. She was clad in a pink nightdress and cardigan. She was lying on the floor of the kitchen with her head toward an open gas oven, which had all jets turned full on, and the room was filled with gas fumes. Disposal of Property Mrs Laurie had left a note which, amongst other things, directed how certain of her property should be distributed. The home was a house of bungalow type, beautifully kept inside and out. The extensive grounds were laid down in neat lawns and shrubs which had been cut as late as yesterday morning. The interior of the house was tastefully furnished and spotlessly clean. There was evidence that Mrs. Laurie had endeavoured to have everything in order before retiring to bed the previous night. Neighbours were unaware until lale yesterday morning of what had happened and were astounded .when informed. A womanwho said ihat she had known Mrs. Laurie for years was unnerved at the occurrence and, speaking under great strain, said Mrs Laurie was one of the sweetest women she had ever met. She also remarked upon ‘the pleasing personality of Laurie. “They appeared to be an ideal couple.” she added, “and the way they both looked after their home, which they owned, was an indication not only of their close companionship but also of tlte orderliness of their lives."