The Yalgoo Murder

Sensational Disclosures at Inquest Likely

Sensational disclosures are expected at an inquest, resumed here today, into the death of Hector Alexander McDonnell (36), who died at Yalgoo on January 14. McDonnell’s body was exhumed from the Yalgoo Cemetery on February 1, following police inquiries, and the contents of the stomach sent to Perth for examination by the Government Analyst Department.

Happier Times – Mrs Rose Marie McDonnell in happier timer on the arm of her husband Hector Alexander McDonnell, who she is now accused of killing.

Following the exhumation an inquest was opened and adjourned to today. Nineteen witnesses, including a member of the staff of the Government Analyst’s Department will give evidence at the inquest. The Coroner (Col W. O. Mansbridge) is being assisted in the examination of witnesses by Detective-Sergeant P. Cameron, whose investigations in connection with the case have involved travelling 3000 miles. Mr. C. E. Stow, instructed by Messrs. J Alderfer and Stow, of Geraldton, is watching the interests of McDonnell’s widow, Rose Marie McDonnell.  When the inquest was opened on February 1, evidence was given by two witnesses. Ernest John Taylor, a miner, who said that he lived in Yalgoo from October, 1935 until January 22, 1936. He was a lodger with McDonnell, and his wife and her child. McDonnell had no extended illness, he was ill from January 10 and died on January 14 at 1.20 p.m. Taylor was present when. he died.

The under taker, took possession of the body from the house. No doctor or nurse was called in. Taylor, he said, was unable to say from what McDonnell died. He had known McDonnell from two, to two and a half years.

Body Exhumed

Edward Hope, blacksmith and undertaker, stated that he took possession of the body of McDonnell on January 15, having been shown it the previous day. McDonnell’s widow was present and said that it was the body of her husband. He was asked to make arrangements for the burial. Hope said that he personally placed the body in a coffin and conveyed it to the cemetery and placed it in a grave.

Ernest John Taylor who was committed for trial for the murder of Hector Alexander McDonnell.

He again attended the cemetery on February 1 and assisted to exhume the body by order of the Coroner. He subsequently identified the remains as those of Hector Alexander McDonnell. At the morgue he left the body in charge of Dr. F. W. Cotton, Detective-Sergeant Cameron and Constable Campbell.

Daily News – Perth – 18 April 1936, page 1