DOUBLE TRAGEDY

Hokitika Guardian, 16 September 1932, Page 4

DOUBLE TRAGEDY

FURTHER PARTICULARS. (Per Press Association — Copyright.) NEW PLYMOUTH, September 15. It is stated that Jepson has been worrying over his own position and that of his family., He had only been in intermittent employment during recent years. The crime is believed to have been committed, about six. this morning, without any commotion to cause alarm in the neighbourhood. There was no sign of a struggle in the house. Jepson and his wife were a quiet living course and known to be very devoted to each other, and there appears no motive for the crime beyond financial worries. Mrs Jepson was an English woman and married Jepson while he , was on active service during the war. Whether the crime was contemplated or done on the spur of the moment is not known. '

It appears that Jepson got up early this morning, made himself a cup of tea and then went to the room where the family was asleep and committed the crime with a weapon, probably an axe. " , >

An operation was performed on the surviving member of the family in the hospital this’ morning, but little hope is held for his life. SECOND CHILD DIES. NEW PLYMOUTH, September 15. jin connection with the murder tragedy', the second Jepson child died at the hospital early this afternoon.