UNUSUAL CRIME

Hokitika Guardian, 27 June 1932, Page 2

UNUSUAL CRIME

WOMAN’S LIPS SEALED. WITH RED TAPE. « NEW YORK, May 5. A young woman with her lips sealed by adhesive, tape, was found dying to- | day fi om head injuries on a vacant plot at Willston Dark, Long Island, j A lew fcvt away lay tlie body of a j man wfio appealed to have worked free ! from liis gag before being bludgeoned to death. That sinister discovery has provided the starting point of the strangest murder niyj.ery in tho neighbourhood of New York since vStvirr Faitlifiu’s ! body was wa.shed ashore on Long J.jland last summer, and it was at first suggested by the District Attorney in charge of the case that a woman was one of the murderers and that jealousy was the motive. The woman victim, subsequently identified as Miss Rasa Welk, a typist, aged 30, of Flushing, Long Island, was taken to hospital, and although the police kept vigil by her bedside, she died within an hour with her story untold. The dead man was Edward Drinker, a salesman for a lighting company, aged 32, and living at Jackson Heights, New York. His wife was detained for questioning this afternoon. She is a dedicate woman, in her earlv twenties. “TAKEN FOR A RIDE.” Apparently the couple were 1 taken in Brinker’® own car to Wilks ton Park, gagged, dragged to the vacant plot and there beaten to death, probably by several persons. Brinker had put up a hard fight and incredible ferocity ! seems to have been used by the assail- ' ants.

District-Attorney Elvin Edwards, who has opened the investigation into the crime,' said: “The manner in which the soil war, torn up -and trampled over a wide area leads me to. believe that three or four persons and a share in this murder.' My theory is that a woman was one of the killers. The /superhuman violence of the blows, which is one of the distinguishing features of the ca.se, suggests that jealously inspired the criminals.” Brinker’® car was found abandoned lats to-day at Bayside, Long Island. Money in Brinker’s pocket had not been touched, nor were his papers dis 7 - turhed, but a ring had been removed violently from his finger. In contrast to this however, jewellery on the woman’s body had not been taken. The police have ruled out robbery as a possible motive!

Nei ghbour® of the Brinker® at Jackson Heights describe them as a pleasant young couple, apparently enjoying a moderate income and paying their bills promptly. At Miss Welk’s home, however, Brinker was regarded as a single man. She had known him a year, it was said, and they ware regarded as almost engaged. Hi? called three times weekly, and frequently had dinner with the family. Medical authorities believe the crime was committed at five o’clock this morning. Brinker may have been forced to drive to the scene of the execution in hi® own car at the pistol-point. Investigation by a Nassau county detective has failed to support the theory that jealousy was the motive of the murder, and late to-day the District Attorney confessed himself completely mystified. Mrs Brinker was not at home when detectives arrived at her apartment early this morning, but she returned at about noon, carrying several bundles. ‘She appeared extremely puzzled at tho presence of detectives and said she bad been out all morning trying to supplement her husband’s earnings. Brinker. .she added, had left home last night on one of his business trips. Po’ioe-Captain Burke said inquiries supported Mrs Brinker’s statements. She said she had not left the apartment all night and could not possibly have anv connection with the murder.