MURDER OR SUICIDE?

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4424, 8 March 1930, Page 3

MURDER OR SUICIDE?

A MYSTERIOUS 'CASE. DEATH FROM GUNSHOT. Facts pointing either to murder or suicide surround the death of Walter Price, a Palmerston North builder, who was found dead in his bedroom at 8 o’clock on Wednesday morning. It was at first thought that death was due to hemorrhage, hut the, post-mortem examination yesterday morning disclosed the fact that death was due to a gunshot wound, probably fired close to the head. The suicide theory is complicated by the fact that no weapon was found, except an old rifle, which had not recently been used. The police decline to make a definite statement, but admit that either the murder or the suicide theory must be accepted. Inquiries confirm the fact that the deceased was covered by life insurance policies totalling £3OOO, said to have been taken out within 1 lie past few months. The deceased when discovered was in his pyjamas and was lying on his hack partially under the end of his lied. He was lying on a sheet and a blanket which wore bloodstained, font no traces of Wood were found on the bed. The wound which caused death was in the side of the chin, and the shot had spread upwards to the top of the skull. Tho police state that death must have been instantaneous. BON HEARD NOTHING.

The only other person in the house was the youngest son of deceased, a high school boy. He was sleeping in an adjacent bedroom, but did not hear any shot, and had no intimation of the tragedy until he entered his father’s bedroom at 8 o’clock next morning. The deceased’s wife was absent at To Kuiti on holiday, and the elder son, George Price, is at his studies at Christchui'clfc.

After the post-mortem examination yesterday morning, an inquest was opened before the Coroner, Mr. J. L. Stout, S.M., and after formal evidence of identification had been given by a brother of the deceased, Mr. Henry Wholes Price, of Thames, was adjourned sine die. Although the son did not hear the shot which caused his father’s death, neighbours state that they board a report about- ten minutes before 1 a.m. It was accompanied bv a shrill cry which one likened to the cry of an animal. These neighbours were Mr. and Mrs. Ted 'Wilson and a guest, Mr. Ross Meikle, who reside in the next door house. The Price residence is on a corner and is flanked on the other side by a section upon which the late Mr. Price was building a residence.

Mr. Meikle, after hearing the shot, but not being able to locate its direction, opened the door and listened, but as -all was quiet lie went back to bed.

The next morning, Mr. and Mrs, Wilson were informed by the lad, .John Brice, that his father had died in the night of hemorrhage. Subsequently, however, about 4 o’clock on Wednesday afternoon, .Mr. Wilson’s son informed Ids father that he had heard Mr. Price had been shot.

.John Price was sleeping in a room across the passage from that occupied by his father. The house had apparently been undisturbed by a possible intruder.

The skin around the wound in deceased’s face was blackened by powder, indicating that the shot had been fired from comparatively close quarters. A wad from the gun was found in the room. The police state that a very thorough search lias been made for the wea - pon, fout late last evening it had not been found.

CHEERFUL AND HARDWORKING.

Deceased had resided in Palmerston North foil some years and had earned a reputation as a hard worker and good business man. He was of quiet disposition, hut his neighbours found him very cheerful. The day before the tragedy he was chatting to Mr. Wilson, and then appeared in normal spirits. The late Mr. Price did most of his mvii building, erecting houses and offering them for sale on completion.

was a member of a very wellknown New Zealand family, his brothers being members of the firm cf locomotive builders at Thames. Four brothers attended the funeral, which was held yesterday afternoon.

Deceased’s sons declare they never had a gun in the house, nor would their father commit suicide. They firmly believe he was murdered.