Evening star., 1939-07-10
STAR WASHINGTON D. c. MONDAY JULY TO- 1sse
Legal Battle Seen
Over Custody Of
Haener Children
Futher and Grandmother
Rush to Claim Daughters
Of Woman Found Shot

As police in Reno, (Nev) contin-
ued their investigation today in the
shooting Of Mrs. Caroline Roebling
Hagner Walters, former Washing
ton socialite, who was found fatally
wounded In the bedroom of her
home Saturday night, a legal battle
over the custody of her two daugh-
ters appeared imminent.
Alexander Hagner, prominent
Washingtonian, whom she divorced
in Reno May 8, rushed to the Nevada
city by plane yesterday morning, &C
cording to friends, to bring the two
Hagner children, Margaret, 8, and
Alexandra, 2, back here.
At the same time it was reported
from the West Coast that Mrs. WAL
ters' mother, Mrs. Arthur O'Brien,
a former Washington resident, was
en- route to Reno from her home in
Seattle, Wash, to claim the chill
dren.
Reno authorities, meanwhile, ap-
peared at odds as to the RESPONSE
bility for the shooting. Police Chief
Andrew Welliver was reported of
the opinion that Mrs. Walters
death was "a plain case of suicide"
Suiside Theory Discounted.
District Attorney Ernest s. Brown,
however, told the Associated Press
he is inclined to discount the sui
eide theory, as no motive has been
established. Both officials agreed
there was no evidence of foul play
in the death. Mr.. Brown contends
Mrs. Walters could have shot her
self while cleaning the Luger pistol,
from which the fatel bullet was
fired.
Mrs. Walters was found on her
bed, a bullet wound between her
heart and shoulder. She died en-
route to hospital.
Paul A. Walters, Reno auto rental
agent, whom the former Mrs. Hag-
ner married less than a month after
her divorce from Mr.. Hagner, said
he came home and gave his wife
an airmail letter from Dave Robb,
her pilot, who was writing in regard
to the proposed sale of her private
airport in Nantucket.
The note appeared to disturb Mrs.
Walters, her husband told police,
but she went to the kitchen to
give directions about the evening
meal
Returning to front room, Mrs.
Walters asked a maid. Marie Con-
way. where the Luger was" Mrs.
Walters related, adding that she
wished to oil it again. Mrs. WAL
ters obtained the gun and retired
to her bedroom.
Shot Heard by Husband.
A few minutes later shot was
heard and Mr.. Walters rushed to
the bedroom to find his wife sprawled
on the bed. Police said she ap-
parently had been standing when
the shot was fired, as the bullet
lodged high on the wall.
A physician Mr.. Walters sum-
moned ordered Mrs. Walters re-
moved to hospital Immediately, but
she died in an ambulance en- route.
Coroner Harry Dunseath said an
inquest originally planned for this
afternoon would be postponed pend
ing arrival of Mrs. Walters relatives.
The Hagners were married in
June, 1880, at st. Johns Church,
with an elaborate reception follow
ing at Estabrook, former Rock Greek
home of Mrs. Hagner's mother and
stepfather. She had made her debut
here the previous season.
Mrs. Walters was the grand
daughter of the late John A. Roeb-
ling, builder of the Brooklyn Bridge,
and heiress to the Roebling fortune.
Three weeks after her divorce, the
former Mrs. Hagner was married to
Mr.. Walters in Seattle. It was his
fourth marriage since he went to
Reno in 1920 to obtain a divorce
from his first wife.
An ardent horse fancier, the for
mer Mrs. Hagner spent most of her
time in the East on the Hagner
estate, Broadview. near Warrenton.
The famed Virginia Gold Cup race
is run each year over its spacious
acres.
Mr.. Hagner arrived last night in
Reno. His mother, Mrs. Randall
Hagner, is vacationing on a ranch
at Saddlestring, Wyo.