The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1943-10-25
Man
In Murder
Continued from Page y

Wayne Lonergan, 20, a Royal Cana
dian Air Force cadet, with whom
she eloped in 194l despite parental
objection.
Police did not disclose Loner-
gan's whereabouts but said they had
received report that he visited
his wife and their l8-month-ol
son Saturday.
Among those questioned were
Marine Capt. Peter Elser, U. s. M.
c., former Harvard football star,
who, with the governors Of the
Lonergan child, found the body.
Elser went to the Lonergan home
to keep q dinner appointment last
night. He was questioned all night
and permitted to leave the police
station shortly after 7 q. m.
Police did not reveal the names
of others who were questioned.
Among those who appeared at the
precinct station for the district,
however, were Mr.. and Mrs. Fred
erick Housman, grandparents Of the
slain woman,
The Lonergans were married in
Las Vegas, New, despite the OPP
position of her mother, Mrs. Lucille
Wolfe Burton, who wanted them
to wait until her daughter had made
her debut.
Her grandfather was the late Max
Bernheimer, brewery baron, who
left an estate Of 100000. His
widow married Frederick Housman.
Mrs. Lonergan's late father, who
changed his name from Bernheimer
to william Q. Burton In 1917, was
an artist who spent much Of his
time In Paris. She was educated
In exclusive English and French
schools.
The Diaries
The diaries-one bound In brown
leather and trimmed in gold and
the other O black, loose-leaf affair
the address book and two blood
stained broken antique bronze lamp
bases, were found In the bedroom.
Police said she listed her day-by-
day activity In one Of the diaries, in
Guiding her frequent dinner COM
panions, but did not disclose the
nature Of the other.
Deputy Chief Inspector Patrick
Kenny said Mrs. Lonergan might
have been dead for as long as IL
hours before the body was discov-
cred by Marine Capt. Peter Elser,
and the governess, Elizabeth Black.
Elser, a former Harvard Univer-
sity football star, stationed at Par
ris Island, s. O., called for Mrs.
Lonergan about p. m. yesterday
to keep dinner engagement. When
she did not come down after re-
peated knocking, he and Miss Black
broke In the door Of the third-hoor
master bedroom.
Mrs. Lonergan's body lay on
huge second empire bed, the arms
clutched over the head as II she
made a last effort to defend her
self. There were no signs OF a strug-
gle in the room, however.
Robbery Out
On the floor beside the bed was
one of the lamp bases. The other
lay under the bed and police theor-
lied that both of them were used
In beating Mrs. Lonergan to death
Robbery was ruled out as motive
for expensive jewelry in the room
was untouched.
The clothing the victim wore Sat-
urday nigh:-a mink Jacket, a black
dress. black shoes, black hat ano
nylon stockings-were on a dressing
bench. A preliminary search failed
to disclose any underwear or night
clothes. The bed clothing had not
been turned down, the body lying
across the top blanket.
The key to the door was on the
floor inside and one of three win
dows leading to a fire escape was
partly open. The three venetian
blinds were drawn.
Her bedroom was on the third
floor of the apartment. which &C.
cupied the first three floors of the
five-story building.
Often Slept Late
Miss Black told police she had
not seen her employer since 2 p. m
Saturday, but thought nothing of 1t
as Mrs. Lonergan often slept late
and did not come downstairs until
evening. She said she had not heard
any commotion Saturday night and
had been In one Of the two second
floor bedrooms caring for the baby
at various times. Miss Black was
the only living-in employe. A maid.
Marie Fanzyrock, came In by day
only.
Neiefbors said that Mrs. Loner-
gan, daughter Of Mrs. Lucille Bur-
ton, was socially inclined and gave
several parties In her home. Her
parents were described as wealthy.
II was understood that while the
Lonergans were estraneed, there was
no legal separation. He was said
10 have signed the lease whereby the
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