BODY EXHUMED

Hokitika Guardian, 19 December 1933, Page 5

BODY EXHUMED

ALLEGED VICTIM ,OF ASSAULT

YOUNG WOMAN’S DEATH (Per Prtss Assoriat ; ov - Copyright )

AUCKLAND; December 18

' / Regarding' the, death of Miss’ Fen* - dall, ’ who ’ receiitly* - was found dead at the foot ,of a bank near .Otekaike, ~apd,. regarding ■■■.W'hl.ph •.an,. .Oa mar sage referred, to the circumstances n\ which she was. found, it was learned in Auckland to-night, that the body of Miss Feildall, ‘ who Was > assistant chief teacher at; the Otekaike school, was extnned .as the result of a suggestion that she had been the victim of an, asHiuilt,:., and .that;., her death was not accidental, as .was at first believed, - # ~ 4 The theory that . Miss FendalUs death was ,not accidental resui from a medicai ‘ examination, whiclfv showed that, apart from'two severe wounds on the - head, she bore no bruises or scratches on any other part of her body to indicate that she had fallen, It was stated, moreover, her wristlet watch was still going, the glass being unbroken, while her’coat'and handkerchief were placed on a nearby ledge, in an orderly manner, not in keeping with the theory that they had fallen from the top of the bank, or - that they had been. so. arranged by the deceased after she had been,injured. _ Tlie deceased was found in a reclining position land her shoes had apparently been removed. It was reported that rain fell in tlie interval of one week which elapsed between the finding of Miss Fendall and the commencement of? an inquiry into ■ the J possibility of an assault. The police ~->wei'e 'thus, :hanliicapped in their, investigations. A thorough search revealed no weapon. It was 'considered that-her. wouuds might have, been made with- a pick or some similar instrument. There was a north-easterly, gale on the day on which Miss Fendall was injured, and the theory is • held that she .had taken 1 advantage of the shelter .afforded ,by a creek . bed to enjoy a rest. The spot, -is said to have been used on • previous occasions as a sheltered retreat in ; rough weather;. , • • b , , / ‘ . 4

It is understood. that the exhumation was carried out to enable the deceased’s finger prints to be taken for comparison with some found on certain articles that she. had in her possession when she,;was; injured. Shortly after Misjs Fendall’s death, an inquest\yrts i opened and it was adjourned after- evidence, of identification had been given. > '' >

Miss FeiulalL-was a-daughter of Air and Mrs H T. Fendall, lof 103,, Jcrvious Road, Ponsohby. ■ She was born in Timaru, and came to Auckland as a girl, being educated at Auckland Girls’- Grammar iScliool; ; She was associated with the Cambell Kindergarten rtiid •the Alvers fyinderpj rt< n for. some ’.ears, and she went to the -Otekaikc ■ Special School about seven years' , ago. ;