MYSTERY LETTER

Hokitika Guardian, 22 October 1929, Page 6

MYSTERY LETTER

THE TOORAK MURDER. AN APPEAL TO THE WRITER. SYDNEY, October 10. The murder. otf Miss Norma McLeod .at her home in Toorak, a fashionable suburb of Melbourne, some weeks ago has not yet been cleared up. As a matter.of fact, the police have, been so completely baffled in their enquiries that they have made no attempt even to open the,. inquest, tor they realise that they would be able to throw no light upon tlie strange death that befel this young society woman. It. will be remembered that Miss McLeod was found by her mother, when she returned home, lying on her bed, Her skull was fractured,, and her. head was .bound up with a pair of men’s undergarments that had been dipped, in water.,. Miss IVipLeod died without regaining com sciousnesS.

There has now been a most amazing development in the case, fqr the police have received an anonymous letter to which they appear to attach considerable importance. A public appeal is now being made to, the writer o'f the letter to come forward and assist the police, who are still bumping their heads against a stone wall, as it were, no matter in what direction their enquiries take them. Thg police refuse to disclose the contents oh the letter, but it is said that the hand-writing and phraseology indicate that it was written by a well-educated man. ■■ The letter is signed “ Asmodeus ” in mythology ’an evil spirit of the underworld. This signature is regarded by the police as very important. It has a direct bearing on some "of the statements made in the letter. Unsuccessful efforts have been made to trace the writer. No address was given, and the postmark gave no clue as to the whereabouts of the author; It is understood that the anxiety of the detectives to discuss the crime with “ Asmodeus ” has delayed the holding of the inquest. Two detectives have been working almost solely on the case, and they are' now preparing a brief ifor the Coroner. No new developments have occurred for several days, but the detectives have seized a cricket bat at the home of the girl. It is consistent with the type of weapon that might have been used to inflict the fatal injuries on the girl. At first it was thought that the injuries were the. result of a fall, but the detectives are now satisfied that the girl was murdered.

The mystery has aroused deep interest in Melbour.ne, and it is believed in some quarters that surprising evidence will be given when the inquest is opened. To a large extent the police will be on a fishing expedition and the cross-examination of the various witnesses is bound to be of an important character. There is a feeling that certion essential information has been withheld from the police, and developments are anticipated at any time.