DREADFUL TRAGEDY

Hokitika Guardian, 3 January 1930, Page 6

DREADFUL TRAGEDY

AVOAIAN BEHEADS CHILD

(Australian Press Association)

SYDNEY, Jan. 2

A dreadful tragedy occurred to-day at Stanmore, a Sydney suburb, when Mrs May Osborne, aged about 35 years, beheaded her six year old daughter, Phyllis, with a razor. She afterwards committed suicide by cutting her own throat before a mirror. Mrs Osborne, with 'her husband, who is a plumber, and her daughter, came from New Zealand about two years ago, anc] occupied a flat in Cavendish Street, Stanmore. The woman recently had a nervous breakdown, and she also was greatly worried at the prospect of her husband being likely to become unemployed, owing to industrial disturbances. Her husband was not at homej at the time of the tragedy, which occurred after breakfast. Mrs Osborne rushed down-, stairs, screaming: “I’ve killed Phyllis !” She began tearing at her own head. The landlady, Mrs Matthews, tried to pacify her, and then summoned help. The police discovered the girl’s dead body and also the mother’s in an upstairs bedroom. Airs Matthews explained -that she had pursued Airs Osborne all round the room, trying to wrest the razor fom her. Finally she saw the woman stand before the mirror and hack her own throat.

Airs Matthews hailed a man passing by to come to her aid but it was then too late.

It is understood that Airs Osborne’s brother, who arrived by the Ulimaroa yesterday, paid her a visit. The Osbornes are described as a lovable family.

(Received this day at 8 a.m.) SYDNEY, Jan. 3

The dead woman’s name was Florence May Osborne, aged 29. Ihe husband’s .name is James Francis Osborne and it is not known what part of New Zealand they formerly lived. A tragic feature is the fact that the husband was away at work all day and was unaware of the tragedy until he read it in to-night’s evening papers on the way home. He immediately alighted from a tram and rushed to the morgue where Ins worst fears were confirmed.