DOUBLE TRAGEDY

Hokitika Guardian, 24 August 1928, Page 3

DOUBLE TRAGEDY

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) DUNEDIN, August 2-1. A single woman, Peggy Mclnnes, was found at Waitate shortly after midnight with her throat cut and head bashed in, and near by was found the body of Thomas Ellis with his throat cut. Details as yet arc unavailable. FURTHER PARTICU LARS. DUNEDIN, August 24. Details of the double tragedy at Waitati seem to reveal a brutal murder. The scene was the grounds of Ornknmii Mental Home. Tho murdered woman, Peggy Mclnnes, aged 23, was employed as nurse on the staff, being recently transferred from Seacliff, while Thomas Ellis, about 35, was employed as a bricklayer at Seacliff by Love Construction Coy. Just before midnight Constable Pearce was awakened by a man named O’Neill, a member of the hospital staff, who stated lie had heard groans from the drive, and going out found Ellis staggering about with his throat cut. Constable Pearce on going to the scene found Ellis dead. He returned home but later was awakened with tho news that a nurse was missing. After a search, her body was found amongst scrub, beneath pine trees. She was lying on a travelling rug, with her head terribly hacked and her throat cut. A stone was tied in a handkerchief and a pocket knife. DUNEDIN, August 2-1.

It transpires that Ellis, with his throat cut, was found roaming around the hospital grounds within thirty yards of the spot where the murdered girl was subsequently located. This means that his cries must have been particularly loud to have attracted notice from the hospital building. Ihe motive of the crime appears to have been jealousy. .Miss Mclnnes was keeping company with two men, Ellis being one, and it appears she was hesitating as to whom she would eventually choose.

In Ellis’s coat, the police found a letter addressed to him, which had been sent by the girl. It was couched in friendly, ii not loving terms, and through it an appointment to meet was made, but not for the night of tiie tragedy.

Love Construction Company slates Fllis was with their firm at Seaelill only until July 21st last. Therefore, as far as is known, he had been out ol work for some time.