ELSIE WALKER

Hokitika Guardian, 25 January 1929, Page 5

ELSIE WALKER

CORONER’S VERDICT,

AN IXCONCMJSIVK FINDING

(B.y Telegraph—Press Association)

AUCKLAND, January 25

Mr Hunt, S.M., gave liis reserved decision in the eoronial inf|iiiry concerning tiie death of Elsie Walker this , morning.

He found that Elsie Walker died about the Ist day of October, 1028, somewhere between Papain on and Auckland, and that the cause of her death was concussion, following a blow on the head, but whether that blow was accidental or homicidal, there is no evidence to determine.

CORONER'S COMMENT

AUCKLAND, January 25

Coroner Hunt, giving his verdict in the Elsie Walker case, said the evidence satisfied him that deceased was a good girl; that she did not steal a watch or money 'from Ikiyly’s house, that she did not intend to leave the house for long or had been differently dressed ; that she could not drive a car; that the car was driven by a man. 1-Ie was of the opinion that either the girl discovered a thief in the yard and he struck her, rendering her unconscious and took her away with him in the car, or that he induced her, tvhich was more probable, to accompany him for a short run in the car and then attempted .to assault her, during which attempt she received the injury to her head. The man diove through the night, hoping the girl might recover. When she did not he sought a plaeo to conceal the body and placed it under the shrubs. He then drove the car for as far as time or light allowed. Who that man was, concluded the Coroner, there is not sufficient evidence for me to say. He found the cause of death was concussion following a blow on the head. Whether accidental or homicidal there was no evidence to determine. The Coroner commented on too police’ handling of the case and says it is possible that suspicion rests against a perfectly innocent man for the rest of his life. This might have been avoided, had prompt intelligent inquiries been made.