FOUND DEAD.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 December 1917, Page 2

FOUND DEAD.

GRUESOME CIRCUMSTANCES. ■ An old man named Williams, Relieved to be an old-age pensioner, was found dead at his house yesterday under somewhat gruesome circumstances. A neighbor, who had missed the deceased for some time, grew suspicious and informed the police of his fears. Constables Nolan and Blaikie went to th® house, which is situated in Leach Street, naar the Intersection of Eliot Street. The house is a four-roomed dwelling, 4nd deceased was found dead in a sitting posture on the side of the bed in one of the front rooms. The whole surroundings were most gruesome, and what clothing there was on the bed was in a shocking state, of filthiness. Before anything could be done with the body, which was in ail advanced stage of decomposition, and had evidently been dead, it is estimated, for about three weeks, the health inspector's services were secured and the whole room was disinfected. When the police reached the house they effected an entrance through one of the windows, the doors being barred on the inside. A good quantity Of wood was found in orn of tlie rooms, and in others there was a varied assortment of rubbish. There was practically no food in the house.

Inquiries are being made by the police, but at present there is nothing to suggest that death was not due to natural causes. The body of the deceased was removed to the morgue.