Evening star., 1925-07-08
YOUNG BARONESS
P[UNGES TO DEATH
Former Texas Girl Falls 7
Stories From Hotel
After Dance.
By the Associated Press.


NEW YORK. July s.-Baroness
Helen Eur Muehlen of Java, Dutch
East Indies, was killed today by a
fall from seventh-story window of
the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.
She struck on the roof of the hotels
Japanese garden, which is on a level
with the second floor. James NJ
Thompson, at one time a close friend
of Miss Millicent Rogers, now Countess
Won Salm Hoogstraeten, was visiting
the baroness, with other friends. He
said she stepped to an open window
for fresh air and fell.
The baroness who is about 2S
years old. was Helen Carruthers of
San Antonio, Tex, before her mar
riage to the baron, who is at present
in Java, where he expected TO be
Joined by his wife. He is in the Dutch
diplomatic service.
Had Been Dancing.
According to the hotel management
Baroness Eur Muehlen had gone to her
apartment after dancing until late, be-
ing accompanied to the suite on the
seventh floor by a number of friends
Complaining of the heat, she went
to the open window and. to the
horror of her guests, toppled over
the sill. Police, after an investiga-
ton. said it was believed she had
tainted.
The young woman was elaborately
gowned and jeweled. Her diamond
earrings were dashed from their set
tings in the fall and were recovered
from the roof by detectives
Mrs. Gladys Carruthers, mother of
the baroness, was at the hotel during
the evening watching her daughter
and the other young people dance.
She went home when the baroness
retired to her suite with her friends.
Notified of her daughters tragic
death, she tainted, but quickly re-
vived and directed the plans for dis
position of the body.
Were to Sail Today
Miss Susan Welen, the baroness
companion. with whom she arrived
at the Ritz-Carlton June 26, said they
were to sail for Europe on the Beren-
garia today and that last night the
baroness gave a farewell party. As
the party was about to break up.
Miss Welen said, the baroness went
to rear window in her suite and
stood looking out over the roofs.
Suddenly her companions saw her
press her hand to her heart and
1.
They sprang to catch her, but too
late.
Besides the baroness, Miss Welen
and Thompson, the party included Les
ter Comfy, connected with Fifth ave-
nue. concern. The two men told the
police the party of four had dined at
the Ritz-Carlton together, later they
went to the baroness suite. Miss
Welen left the room and after she re-
turned few minutes later the men
said she whispered something to the
baroness, who in turn left the apart
ment and was gone about Is minutes.
When she came back she went into
the living room and leaned out of the
window, remarking that it was very
hot.
Thompson said all three saw at the
same time that the baroness was fall
ing. Miss Welen screamed and the two
men ran to grasp the baroness, but
she slipped from their hold and
plunged out of the window, Thompson
said.
An investigation was begun by Act.
ing Medical Examiner Liebers and AS.
sistant District Attorney Ryan, who
questioned Thompson, Comfy and Miss
believed the death was accidental but
that further investigation would be
necessary.
Police said that Miss welen, whose
home is in London, would be allowed
promise of "a British diplomatic off,
required by the district attorney.
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