A DOUBLE TRAGEDY

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1034, 26 July 1930, Page 28

A DOUBLE TRAGEDY

WIFE’S LETTERS READ AT INQUEST LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT “Now, Davy, please pull yourself together. Let there be no more talk of killing, it makes me sick. If 1 thought it was the real you who said some of these things on tile phone about killing me and yourself—To kill me! How dare you talk like that?” Such were characteristic passages in a letter sent to Eardly Cotterili, 24. during his stay in Albania by his wife, Margery Cotterili. 22, both of whom were found shot dead at the week-end in the home of the girl’s parents, Mr. Gerald Lawrence, tee prominent actor, and Miss Fay Davi3. the actress, at Hampstead, England. These and other extracts were read by the coroner at the inquest, when a verdict was returned of mar der and suicide committed by Eardlv Cotterili, while of unsound mind. Cotterili had been employed by thscientific department of the Gramophone Company, Ltd. The couple married in July, 1929, and went abroad, Cotterili continuing his busi Dess. His wife returned to her par ents in May. Cotterili returned at the week-end, and, visiting the house, went with his wife to a back sitting-room, where the shooting occurred. Love at First Sight Mr. Gerald Lawrence gave evidence that Margery had met Cotterili when she was 17, and they had immediately fallen in love. The parents had opposed the marriage because of the different social spheres occupied by the couple. They had not seen one another for two years. When they were married they found their temperaments unsuitable. In a conversation just before the shooting the wife had made it clear that she had no intention of living with Cotterili. The coroner said that Cotterill’s letters showed that something had been distressing him. They con tained expressions such as “I cannot bear to read your letter. It gives mo an awful pain in the heart. [ have lost all that I wanted most dearly. ’ He referred to himself as “the pour little lonely sparrow outside.” Cotterili had written pleading tor another chance, saying that if a tele gram consenting did not arrive “All would be finished. I cannot live without you.” Margery had written urging him not to think of dying, and adding: “Take your life in two strong hands and make something of it, as I have done.” Cotterili had later written asking his wife to dinner during his short stay in London, and adding: “I pro mise that I won’t break down and do anything as silly as shooting myself at the dinner table.” Cotterill’s diary contained 23 daily entries of the initials “N.L.,” meaning no letter. Another on Margery’s birthday was, “My heart breaking. I am so tired I wish I was with her.” The last entry was, “Any time after today—finish.”