REMAINS FOUND

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20497, 13 May 1938, Page 8

REMAINS FOUND

SUITCASE MURDER RECOVERED BY DIVER BATTERING OF HEAD (By Telegraph.—Press Association) BLENHEIM, Thursday In 40ft. of water off the outer end of the Picton wharf a diver this afternoon recovered the missing portions of the body of Mr Edwin Armstrong, of Wellington, the victim of the suitcase tragedy, it should now be possible to establish legally the identity of the unfortunate man.

An examination of the head disclosed that it bore marks indicating that it had been battered by some blunt instrument. Whether these injuries were substantially the cause of death or were inflicted afterward only a post-mortem examination by an expert can prove.

The remains found to-day were contained in a dark brown fibre suitcase identical in most respects—including the white cordage lashings—with the receptacle’ recovered six days ago. The diving operations were carried out by Mr T. K. Wineera, who was placed at the disposal of the Police Department by the' Wellington Harbour Board. Search of Hours Working from a punt, the diver concentrated on an area which the detectives evidently decided was the most likely place a person would have thrown the remains. When the suitcase, which was found after a 44 hours search, was hauled up the detectives soon satisfied themselves that it was the object they were seeking. A preliminary examination was made by Dr. E. B. W. Smyth, of Picton, who has not yet reported. The coroner will view the remains tomorrow and the inquest will be resumed at an early date at Picton.