The New York herald., 1921-06-20
MYSTERY IN Death
OF THREE WOMEN
All Found Alone and Uncon-
scious, Evidently From
Drug Poisoning.
ONE A SCENARIO WRITER
Another an Actress Who Re-
Gently Sought Work; Third
Separated From Husband.

Tho police have under investigation
the deaths of three young women, all
of whom died within the twepty-four
hours ending last midnight. A poison
which temporarily, at least, defled iden-
tiflcation was given as the cause of
each of the deaths. All of the victims
we're found in practically identical cir
unstances-unconsci and alone.
The last of the three poison victims
was Miss Zelda Crosby. pllotoplay
scenario writer and critic, of % East
F'ifty-fifth street
Miss Crosby. according to the few de-
tails that could be obtained early this
morning, was found unconscious In her
apartment by her maid on Thursday.
DR.. Feigin of Flower Hospital was called
to attend her. He realized that she
could not live, but believing that the
mysterious circumstances of the case
might be explained could she be revived.
removed her to Bellevue Hospital for
treatment.
Last night Miss Crosby died. she hao
oeen unconscious, II was said. from the
time she was found In her home. Physi-
clans at Bellevue tried every method
known to identify the poison that killed
her. but they failed. An autopsy will be
performed to-day by the Medical Ex'
aminer.
Police Call 1t Suicide.
II is the theory Of the police that Miss
xrit al In
tent. Her mother, Mrs. Schuster of
1853 Creston avenue. The Bronx, could
offer no explanation. but she did not
agree with the police theory.
The second OF the poison victims was
a young woman who registered at the
Douglas Hotel, 207 West Forteth street.
ss Florence Dorre. She was found un-
conscious In her room and died without
regaining her senses. She was In p
deep coma when she was found. APP
parently she was suffering from a pow
erful narcotic, 1t was said The death
OF Miss Dorre, who was an actress.
showed characteristics almost Identical
with that of Mrs. Dorothy Kelley. who
was found dead In her apartment at 2o1
West Eighty-third street late Saturday
night.
At the ean1s time the mystery of
Mrs. Kieley's death deepened when an
autopsy performed by DR.. Charles Nor
ris failed to show a cause.
Mrs Kelley. Il developed yesterday.
vas not the fiancee of DR.. Albert Mott
OF 1875 Decatur street. Brooklyn, who
found her dead when he called Saturday
night. as at first reported. but the wife
OF Wolden Thomas Kelley, a musician.
who lives with his mother at i5f oliver
avenue, Yonkers. Mrs. Susan Kelley.
who is a Yonkers police natron. said her
son and his wife had been separated
for about year. lie was at Asbury
Park yesterday.
The Case of Mrs. Kelley.
The Medical Examiners office is hav-
ing an analysis made Of Mrs. Kleley's s
organs for traces OF poison. The analysis
may be completed to-day. a half bot
tie of vhiskey found by detectives in
her room Is being analyzed also. pre-
liminary examination has shown II did
not contain wood alcohol Mrs. kieloy's
sister. Mrs. May Thompson Of i72 Sher-
man avenue. said she was positive her
sister had not committed suicide. as she
had been cheerful on Friday and in good
spirits also on Saturday when DR.. Mott
called her on the telephone and made
an appointment to take her - supper.
Miss Dorre uas found unconscious by
the manager OF the Douglas Hotel. Ben
ismin Dworret. who mad been notified
that she was breathing so heavily that
she had alarmed hotel attendant pass
ing her door. He called a physician.
who could make no definite diagnosis
because she could not respond 70 ques-
tions and no one could tell him of her
condition before her sudden illness. She
never recovered CONSEQUENCES.
DR.. George Hohmann OF the Medical
Examiners office inspected her body
yesterday and said he Judged from the
circumstances that she had died from a
narcotic drug. An autopsy will be held
to-day.
The police learned that woman
friend OF about Miss Dorre's age called
AT the hotel yesterday to take her to
Coney Island. She said she had met
the girl at booking office and could
give no details concerning her.
Miss Dorre had luxuriant, dark brown
hair There was nothing about her room
and no marks In her clothing that
would aid in establishing her identity.
No drug OF any kind was found In the
room.