Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-06-15
DEATH OF WOMAN
STARTS z PROBES
Mrs. Edith KneeSsi Victim of
Skull Fracture in Airing.
ton County. -.

Death Of Mrs. Edith Kneessi. 81
years old, estranged wife Of George
Kneessi, former Washingtonian, now
q resident of New York, at Emergency
Hospital early this morning from a
fracture Of the skull, supposedly as
the result of fall or leap early Sat
urday morning from the automobile OF
Walter Scott Lephfew of apartment
104. SIS NJ street, started police and
Department Of Justice agents on q
dual investigation of the circumstances
surrounding the cause Of death. Leph.
few is being held at the Arlington
County Jail for the Federal authorities
on the ground that the supposed leap
or fall occurred on Military road near
Arlington Beach. which is Federal
property and outside the jurisdiction
of Virginia.
Detective Edward ]. Kelly of police
headquarters, this morning was as
signed the case by Inspector Pratt,
who was requested by the Depart
naent of Justice to ascertain whether
there was a possibility of a, fatal blow
having been dealt the woman in
Washington, after which she was
taken to Virginia.
Taken to Hospital.
Mrs. Kneessi was taken to Emer-
gency Hospital at las am. by Leph-
few, according to officials at the hos
pital. At that time, it was said at
the hospital, it was reported the
woman was suffering from an injury
sustained when she leaped from his
automobile.
She did. not gain a lucid interval
before she died, shortly before 8
o'clock this morning. Friends who
visited her said she failed to recognize
them and stated: Nothing is the
matter. Only I'd like some aspirin
for this terrible headache"
Lenhfew was taken into custody
later Saturday by Policeman Tierney
Of the third precinct and turned over
TO the Virginia authorities, who start
ed an investigation at that time, in the
belief that the occurrence was within
their jurisdiction. Their investigation,
It was said at the courthouse today,
developed that the clothing Of the
woman was not badly soiled, as It
would supposedly have been from q
fall on the road. and that the only
marks on the clothing were on the
collar Of the coat, which was stained
with blood.
Federal Agents Investigate.
Local Department Of Justice agents, /
however, learning that the occurrence
was within Federal jurisdiction, took |
up the case and commenced an investl.
cation, which is still under way.
While no official statement has been
made by the agents, it is known that
they have checked the movements of
the couple for some time prior to the
death.
Both Lephfew and Mrs. Kneessi
lived at SIS NJ street, authorities were
told. Relatives of Mrs. Kneessi stated
that Lephfew was buying the apart
ment, and that they had visited Mrs.
Kneessi there, but did not believe that
Lephfew lived there, although he was
q frequent caller.
At the Arlington County Jail this
morning Lephfew told friends his side
Of the story. He said that he and Mrs.
Kneessi had been quarreling Saturday
evening and that he was driving her
around to faollify her before taking
her home to the n street apartment.
While driving at the rate OF between
10 and Is miles an hour, he is reported
TO have said, she suddenly opened the
door of the car and jumped out be-
fore he had time to stop her. He i'm
mediately picked her UP and took her
to Emergency Hospital.
Statement Is Refused.
Detective Kelly interviewed Leph'
few at the Jail this morning. He re-
fused to make a statement, he said,
on advice OF attorney.
Lephfew and Mrs. Kneessi have
known each other about four years,
it was said by Mrs. Adolouph Ecklof,
stepnother of the deceased, living at
s23 Minnesota avenue northeast. Mrs.
Eckloff stated that Mr.. and Mrs.
Kneessi had been separated about
eight years, and that he was pre-
sumed to be in New York at the pres
ent time.
Mrs. Kneessi had two children, q
boy Of IL and girl Of years. both
living with her father and stepmother
on Minnesota avenue. She was en-
ployed at a local department store.
Iepkfew is a son Of Policeman
Leptifew Of the eleventh precinct. He
is q. thinning and roofing subcontractor.
The funeral arrangements have not
yet been completed, but the funeral
Will be held from the Eckloff home, it
was announced.