AWFUL MURDERS

Hokitika Guardian, 20 July 1928, Page 2

AWFUL MURDERS

ON VICTORIAN FARM. (Australian Press Association.) MELBOURNE, July 19. William Manning and his wife perished in a fire which destroyed a cottage at Junorton, near Bendigo, occupied by an orcliardist named Walker. It is alleged that Walker fired a number of shots, three of which struck his own wife, and that the Mannings were shot dead. Walker then allegedly set the house on fire, and the Mannings were incinerated.

Mrs Walker escaped with two small children, the latter summoning neighbours’ assistance. Walker’s whereabouts are now unknown.

Another victim of the Junorton tragedy, Mrs Walker, died at Bendigo Hospital. Walker also is dead. His body l as been found in a tank with the lower portion of his face shot away and his legs badly burned." Portions of three guns, one of which •had been used, were found in tlio ruins.

The Mannings’ two boys, the eldest aged five, gave the alarm to'a neighbour, who summoned the police. The police said they had been let out of the house by "Walker. Meantime a passing railwayman saw the house burning and in investigating he found the bodies of Manning and his wife in the blazing debris, and Mrs Walker in the garden-in a critical condition. All of the victims had been shot, and Mrs Manning’s head was missing. A knife blade, believed • to have been associated -with the tragedy, was also found. The motive is unknown. Manning was formerly a partner with Walker, and only recently occupied the farm, while Walker lived a few miles distant. His wife was visiting the Maiming family, recuperating after an illness.