Evening star., 1936-03-13
MOTIVE IS SOUGHT
| I|NTRATHENDEATH
Police will Question Two
Girl Friends, One Hinting
of Mystery.

Although still convinced 17-year-
old Edna Trathen took her own life,
police today announced they will ques-
ton two of her girl friends who may
be able to throw some light on the as
yet unestablished motive for suicide.
One of these girls, detectives were
told, has said she would like to tell
police all she knows" but was afraid
she might get the same thing Edna
did" if she talks.
Inspector B. w. Thompson, chief Of
detectives, said the girls fear was
absurd. "She has nothing to worry
about unless she intends to shoot her
self," he said.
Won't Bring Witness Back.
Inspector Thompson said he has no
reason to bring back to Washington
q fourth man who attended the party
in the home of Bernard Livingston.
Washington jeweler, which preceded
the Trathen girls death.
This man identified himself to po-
flee as Hendrick Hommes of the An
napolis Hotel. He was questioned by
detectives in Livingston's home at 1920
Walbridge place Monday night.
shortly after Miss Trathen's body was
found. He said he had made train
reservations to leave the city, and
police, after satisfying themselves that
the girl had shot herself, permitted
him to go.
Tpcpantor T1aoropcoy, coid IJononeS
Is a native of Holland and that he
thinks he is in the jewelry business.
He added he believes the man could
be located If needed.
Convinced Death Suicide.
The chief of detectives also said he
did not ask Livingston whether he is
the same man who was indicted in
Baltimore in connection with jewel
robbery.
II saw no reason for questioning
livingston about that matter" Thomp-
son said, because this is clearly
case of suicide. If there had been any
doubt in my mind as to the nature
of the girls death, I, of course, would
have asked Livingston about the other
matter"
Statements were taken yesterday
from Livingston, Ernest Hammersla.
Harry Lasoer, Eleanor Shearer and
Anne Portell, other guests at the
party. and John Hallett, friend
Of Miss Trathen.
All Statements Clear.
Gall of the statements" Thompson
asserted, "are perfectly clear and
contain nothing which throws the
slightest doubt on our belief that
the girl killed herself"
He said he might make these state
ments available after police have
interviewed the two girls.
Miss Trathen, according to the
statements, had been eating dinner
with the four men and two other
girls when she suddenly arose and said
she was going upstairs for a minute.
A short time later, the others at
the table heard a noise and a scream.
Going to a bed room on the upper
floor, they found the girl lying on the
floor with bullet hole through her
abdomen. There were powder burns
on her body and hand and a .3s
caliber revolver was lying near her.
Knew Where Gun Was.
The gun belonged to Livingston,
who kept it in q cabinet at the
head of the bed. Police were told
Miss Trathen knew where the gun
was kept. and had shown it to one
of the other guests earlier in the
evening.
After his investigation, Coroner A.
Magruder Macdonald issued a certifi-
cate of suicide Tuesday
Hallet was questioned concerning a
telephone call he received from Miss
Trathen about half an hour before her
body was found. One of the men at
the party placed the call for Miss
Trathen, Hallet said, and when he an
swered the phone she asked him to
join the party. He said he refused.
Hallet said his friendship with the girl
was Of casual nature and that he did
not believe his refusal to join the party
prompted her to take her own life.
He said she appeared normal when he