BURNED TO DEATH

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 757, 2 September 1929, Page 1

BURNED TO DEATH

Woman’s Charred Remains Found

EMPTY KEROSENE-BOTTLE NEARBY

CHARRED almost beyond recognition, the body of Mis. A. E. Bishop, wife of the late Constable S. H. Bishop, of Birkenhead, was found lying in some scrub near her residence at Onewa Road at about eight o’clock this morning. The body was lying on its side in a natural reclining position, the head being supported by the left hand and with the legs crossed. Alongside was an empty bottle that had contained kerosene, and an empty match-box.

Mrs. Bishop's husband, -who was the constable In charge of the Birkenhead station, died some five months ago, and it is said that Mrs. Bishop, who was 46 years of age, has since been considerably depressed. They had no children. Recently Mrs. Bishop had a house built in Onewa Road, and had occupied it for only six weeks. Most of the time she had friends staying with her, and at the time of the tragedy her sister, Mrs. Capp, wife of Sergeant Capp, of the Dargaville police force, was staying with her to keep her company. In order to take her away from her surroundings it had beers arranged that Mrs. Bishop should return to Dargaville with Mrs. Capp on Thursday or Saturday of this week. Arrangements had been made for a young couple to occupy the house during Mrs. Capp’s absence and they took up their residence there yesterday. Last evening Mrs. Capp and Mrs. Bishop attended the Christian Science Church in Symonds Street, returning to Birkenhead by the 5.30 boat. The young couple and Mr 3. Capp’s children had retired and after getting the table for the new occupants, who were having an early breakfast, Mrs. Bishop also retired, using a bed that had been made up on the sleeping porch. During the evening Mrs. Bishop had seemed depressed but gave no indication of anything that would cause alarm. ABSENCE DISCOVERED At about six o’clock Mrs. Capp’s little daughter, who was sleeping with her mother awoke and went out to the

sun porch to see her aunt, and found that she was not there. A little later, Mrs. Capp, who at that time did not feel alarmed, also went out, but when she found that Mrs. Bishop was still absent, she hurriedly dressed and reported the occurrence to the constable in charge of the Birkenhead station. Mrs. Capp also called on a Mr. Beddeck, who had been a friend of Mr. Bishop, and he came over to the house. Shortly before eight o’clock, while talking to Mr. J. McPhail, Mayor of Birkenhead, in regard to organising a search party, they were informed by a lad, who was engaged in delivering bread, that when taking a short cut to the house, he discovered a body under some pine trees near the house. NO SIGNS OF STRUGGLE The remains, although badly charred, were recognised by a pair of shoes the deceased woman was wearing. She was dressed in night attire, and there were no indications of any struggle. The bottle that had contained kerosene was of a large size, and the match-box lying alongside was empty. For some yards around the undergrowth had been burned. Mr. McPhail immediately telephoned the city police, and the body was covered pending examination by the coroner. Mr. and Mrs. Bishop had lived at Birkenhead for about seven years, and both were respected. In addition to owning the house that had just been built, Mrs. Bishop was in receipt of a pension and is said to have been in a comfortable position. It is reported that deceased had had a nervous breakdown three weeks ago.