MURDER OF A PRIEST.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 August 1921, Page 5

MURDER OF A PRIEST.

KIDNAPPED IN CALIFORNIA. SENSATIONAL CASE. By Telegraph—Press Assn —Copyright. Received August 12, 5.5 p.m. San Francisco, August 11. The body of the Rev. Patrick Heslin, a Catholic Priest, who was kidnapped at Colma, California, and who was held for a ransom of 50,000 dollars, has been found buried in the sand on Salada beach, with a bullet hole through the heart and a crushed skull, indicating murder. The kidnappers did not receive the demanded ransom and it is believed they carried out their threats. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Received, August 12, 9.40 p.m. New York, August 11. A sensational development is reportid in connection with the Father Heslin case. On August 2an excited and sdoselv muffled foreigner called .at the rectory and induced Father Heslin to accompany him on a visit to an allegedly sick friend, and subsequently Archbishop Hanna received a demand for Father Heslin's ransom. Gn Wednesday a mechanic named Hightower informed the police that he met a drunken foreigner, who declared he had killed the man and indicated the place of burial. Hightower went to the spot, and digging, discovered Father Heslin's body shot through the heart. He had evidently been dead only a couple of days, after being held a prisoner. There were several indications that a grave had been dug and the priest placed on the brink and then shot. The police are holding Hightower till they can investigate the disappearance of his alleged informer. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.