The Daily Alaska empire., 1936-03-10
SISTER OF ALASKAN KILLED IN SOUTH
LEONA JEROLD
 IS IMPROVING
 FROM WOUNDS
Coroner s Jury Returns
 Verdict Tn Shooting
 Saturday Night

Leona Jerold, who entered St. Anns Hospital last Saturday night for treatment of four bullet wounds inflicted by J. R. tJack) Silva short ly before his death by suicide, was reported this afternoon to be doing very well,' by her attending physi- cian and about the same" by hos pital authorities. p
 Mrs. M. G. Silva, of San Leandro, California, mother of Silva, who shot and killed himself, has been notified of his death by C. w. Carter, of the c. w. Carter Mortuary, and funeral arrangements are being held pend ing instructions from Mrs. Silva.
 Jury's Verdict
 A verdict of death by suicide" was returned late yesterday by the Coroner's Jury at the inquest into the death of John R. tJack) Silva. conducted yesterday afternoon by U. S. Commissioner J. F. Mullen. The jury was composed of John McClos- key, M. H. Truesdell John K. Mar shall. James Mahoney, James Bren- nan and William Sprigade. Several witnesses testified at the inquest, i! including Police Chief Roy Hoff5 man, Rex Hermann, John WaiiAefss Myrtle Krusey and Vira Wright, and Dr. w. w. Council, Territorial Commissioner of Health, was called upon for professional testimony. Silva died last Saturday evening i from a self-inflicted bullet wound. That his suicide was premeditated and that he had previously threat ened suicide was disclosed by testi- mony at the inquest.
 Dr. Council testified the death re- suited from .32 caliber pistol bull let which passed through his chest from front to back, probably pierc- ing his heart. The bullet ranged downward. with its exit about four inches lower than the point of en- try, indicating that the gun was held high, Dr. Council said. and death resulted within few seconds. probably instantaneously. The bullet lodged inside Silva's clothing after passing entirely through his body
 Hoffman On Scene
 Police Chief Roy Hoffman stated he was notified by the telephone operator at 1015 pm. Saturday that there had been "a shooting" at Le- ona Jerold's home He went immed- lately to Jerold's residence, Chief Hoffman said, and finding the door locked. forced it open The lights and radio were turned on, he said, land after passing through the liv- ing room of the apartment he saw Silva lying on bed in an adjoining bedroom. Police Officer George Gill bertson, who had been out on call, arrived soon after Chief Hoffman, land was followed a short time later by Deputy U. s. Marshal John Me Cormick
 Woman Testifies
 Myrtle Krusey. who with Vira Wright operates the Marine Cigar Store, said at the inquest that Sil- va had entered the cigar store Sat urday night and stated he had something to tell them. He later said he would tell them some other time and walked across the street to Leona Jerold's residence. Shortly after he entered the Jerold house shots and screams were heard, Miss Krusey said. and she ran to the City Cafe and requested an attend ant to call police officers. Upon her return to the Marine Cigar Store, Miss Krusey said, she found Leona Jerold lying upon bed in the liv- ing quarters at the rear of the store.
 John Walner. proprietor of the U and lunch room, stated that a letter from Silva was delivered to him shortly after Silva's death. The letter requested him to send per- sonal effects to Silva's mother, Mrs. M. G. Silva, living at 306 Cedar street, San Leandro, California, and to Silva's sister The letter also be- queathed some personal effects to himself, Walmer said.