The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-09-08
VERDICT IS
RETURNED JURY
IN MYSTERY DEATH
Official Statement Asserts Mo-
tive Undetermined; Med
leo Is Witness
SAYS BERN WAS run DOWN
Brother confers With Actress
Bride But Declines to
Make Statement
SAYS BERN WAS RUN DOWN

Los Angeles, sept. 6.-(R)--A cor
oner's jury decided Thursday that
Paul Bern, film producer, husband Of
Jean Harlow, actress, killed himself
but said the motive was undeter-
mined. The jury found he died Of
wounds, self inflicted, with suicidal
intent"
Testimony that Bern, twice the age
OF his 2l-year -old bride of two
months, had been in a nervous run
down condition, was given by the last
witness at the inquest.
The witness, Frank Webb, assistant
county autopsy surgeon, said lack
Of physical development would have
caused nervousness and melancholia,
which might have led to suicide.
A conference between Miss Harlow
and Henry Bern, New Rochelle, N. r.,
brother Of the dead man, ended at !
a. m, Thursday without statement.
Confers With Relatives
Bern, who arrived by airplane late
Wednesday night after dash across
the continent, said there would be q
statement soon enough" He ex-
pressed q desire to confer first with
relatives.
From the airport Bern went d.
rectly to the home Of Miss Harlow.
Their conference was unattended by
any other relatives, friends or police
officers who have been investigating
the death of the 42-year-old film exc
cutive who was found in his home
Moy,dou vvyitt, a t,,,11at ,,,r,,,,A S,> Id
head, discharged pistol In his hand
and nearby note signed Paul." adj
dressed to Dearest Dear and con-
Tossing "frightful wrong"
Bern was given medical and police
records Of the case, together with
! personal effects Of his dead brother,
before leaving the conference. He
said he wished to study the records.
Bern was one of the witnesses
at the inquest later Thursday. Miss
Harlow, who married the film execu-
tive two months ago. was subpoenaed
but on the report Of her physician
that she was In no condition to at
tend was excused by Coroner Frank
A. Nance.
Other witnesses included Marine
Bello. Miss Harlows step-father; r.
wing Thalberg, studio official: John
Carmichael and his wife, Winifred.
domestic help Of Paul Bern: Clifton
Davis, gardener at the Bern estate;
Harold Garrison, Berns chauffeur;
Blanche Williams. Miss Harlow's
maid; M. E. Greenwood, studio exc
cutive, and police.
Officials Await Autopsy
Studio officials said they expect the
findings Of Autopsy Surgeon Frank
Webb to remove all mystery sur
rounding the death. They stated the
physical condition of Bern was an
all-important factor in the tragedy.
In q long distance telephone con-
versation with Louis b. Mayer, head
OF the studio where both Bern and
Miss Harlow worked, DR.. Edward B.
Jones, Bern's personal physician, said
he understood the motive"
1T Is not matter that I can
discuss publicly" DR.. Jones, who Is in
Honolulu, told Mayer. but I am re-
turning to Los Angeles at once, ar
irving there Sept. l3, and shall be
glad to give whatever information I
have to the proper authorities"
The autopsy showed Bern was free
iof disease but that his physical ham
dicap was one that would prevent
happy marriage. His brother said
Bern. although a bachelor until he
married Miss Harlow, Fl, had another
woman In his life previously.
Paul was not virtuous man. In
the conventional sense" said his
brother. But he had a higher vir-
tue. He was good. I am tired Of In
decent talk about him.