Evening star., 1943-10-25
RCAF Cadet Arrested
In B|udgeon Staying
NWife in New York
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
NEW YORK, Oct. 25.-Wayne
Lonergan, 26, Royal Canadian
Air Force cadet, was detained by
Toronto police today for New
York police in connection with
the bludgeon Staying yesterday OF
his pretty, estranged wife, Pa
tricia Burton Lonergan, %.
New York police sah Toronto
officials notified them Lonergan was
being detained and arrangements
were made Immediately to send a
representative of the district at
torney's Office to Toronto to ques-
ton him.
Acting Deputy Inspector Patrick J
Kenny, working on the investiga-
ton, said that I'VE are extremely
anxious to question him"
'He has cuts and scratches on his
face, we are told" the inspector
added. He said that "if Lonergan
consents to come back he will be
returned to New York Immediately, -
but IF he fights extradition. we shall
have to wait until the necessary
papers and details are arranged.
Stairs Bloodstained.
Bloodstains on the carpeted stair
case leading from the third-foor
bedroom where the woman was
slain, furnished a principle clue for
investigators.
This new development indicated
that there was a battle royal in
which Mrs. Lonergan fought des-
perately with her assailant," a de-
tective said.
Scrapings of the blood, which
smeared carpeting from the bed
room to the first-foor stoop, were
taken to the police department
technical research laboratory for
analysis. Detectives said bloodstains
also spotted the wall along the STAIR
case.
Meanwhile, Mario EMO Gabelline,
43, New York interior decorator,
who police said escorted Mrs. Loner-
gan to night clubs Saturday night.
was booked as material witness.
Showgirl Questioned.
Assistant District Attorney John
F. Loehr said that among those
questioned was Jeanne Murphy.
blond showgirl. who, he said. had an
engagement yesterday afternoon
with Lonergan.
Police said Miss Murphy. wearing
leopard skin coat and hat. told
investigators she had been out with
Lonergan Saturday night, attending
show, and that they separated
after the performance. The 22-year-
old actress said she had not seen
the cadet since pm. yesterday.
Mrs. Lonergan was found dead at
BIS o'clock last night, lying face up
IN her bed, her arm raised above
her head. A bloodstained and broken
lamp was found on the floor nearby,
and a matching lamp, also blood
stained, was found under the bed.
Discovered by Marine Officer.
The unclad body was discovered
by Capt. Peter Elser, former Har-
ward football star. who. police said.
had a dinner appointment with
Mrs. Lonergan last night.
Police said Capt. Elser, who is in
the Marine Corps and stationed at
Paris Island, S. c.. told them he
telephoned the apartment about 8
pm, and was told by Miss Elizabeth
Black. governess for Wayne Williams
Lonergan, Mrs. Lonergans 18-
month-old son, that Mrs. Lonergan
had not been seen there Sunday
She said she assumed her employ
er still was asleep.
Mrs. Lucille Burton, Mrs. Loner-
gan's mother, who lives at the Hotel
Elysee, and who was in her daugh-
ter's apartment when Capt Elser
called, asked him to please come
over" He did so, and the marine,
the governess and the mother went
upstairs to the bedroom. They
found the door locked by snap
lock inside. and when there was
no response to their calls. Capt.
Elser broke in the door.
EIoped in 1941.
Police were awaiting results of an
autopsy today to determine exact
cause and time of death. The time
was fixed at approximately 10 IN.
Sunday after a preliminary medical
examiners study.
Police said Mrs. Lonergan eloped
In August, l94l, with Lonergan and
that they were married in Las
Vegas, New, despite objections of
her mother, who had wished her
daughter to make her debut first.
A diary and two address books
furnished additional clues in the
investigation.
Inspector Kenny said the diary.
bound in black leather and fastened
with metal clasps, and two leather