DOUBLE TRAGEDY

Hokitika Guardian, 14 June 1933, Page 6

DOUBLE TRAGEDY

MAN AND WIFE DEAD. (Per Press Association — Copyright.) GISBORNE, June 14. A ghastly t-ragedv which must have 'Occurred nearly a week ago, was discovered by the police early this afternoon, when a cottage in the suburbs was broken into. The home was occupied by an elderly couple and when entered it was found that the husband, Joseph "Wilson, aworker, had cut his wife <3 throat with a razor and had used the razor to commit suicide. Wilson had suffered from influenza and was visited by friends last Wednesday. The following day it was found the house was closed and in? the days went on, friends became suspicion,s and communicated their fears to the police who broke open the door shortly after noon to-day.

In a. spare room opening off the kitchen the wife, clad'in a'faint coaly was lying on her back on the floor and ho--husband was 'in a stooping .position ;with his shoulder resting o'n a chair. There were no signs oi a st> ugglc. The tragedy evidently occurred last Thursday, for a letter written by Mrs Wilson to .her;, mother, believed to he in 'Christchurch, wn,-j found lying on the kitchen table, though the envelope was. unaddicssc-d. The house was spotlessly clean.. The couple were childless "andphad lived alone -i.n Gisborne for mainylr-years. There wa s no evidence of. a suicide pact.