BODIES EXHUMED

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 13877, 1 February 1909, Page 7

BODIES EXHUMED

Fourth Phase.— Mme. Steinheil was removed to prison, and as rumours of poison were in the air the exhumation of the bodies of her husband and mother-in-law were ordered. Owing, however, to the advanced state of decomposition of the corpses it is feared that the autopsy will reveal little of use to prove whether poison was administered or not.

A theory of the death of M. Steinheil and Mmc Japy which is now held by many, including, it is said, M. Andre, the examining magistrate in charge of the case, is that both had been drugged and were murdered in their sleep. Then, to put the police on the wrong track, the stage-setting of a burglary and the strangling of the victims was arranged. M. Andre visited the villa to-day to reconstitute the scene, but Mmc Steinheil had changed the furniture since the murder.

Remy Couillard, the Steinheil's manservant, has stated before M. Andre that on the eve of the crime Mine Steinheil, contrary to her habit, poured out a glass of rum for her husband and her mother.

Marietta. Wollf, the housekeeper, questioned on this point by M. Andre, mad<' the following remarkable statement: "Couillard, the valet, informed me that on the night of the murder. May 30, Mmc Steinheil rang for him at 10, o'clock and asked him to bring up three glasses and an alpenstock, remarking, 'As 1 sleep alone to-night in my daughter's room, it is as well to have some weapon.' This was quite contrary to madame's habits. 1 have never known her to prepare any drinks for her husband or mother."

Coiiillard was called in, and confirmed Mariette's statement. He added, '"Some days after the murder I helped madame to empty into the sink the contents of a number of phials which constituted a small medicine cupboard kept in the house in case oi emergency."