Evening star., 1946-03-05
Attorney Kills
Airline Pilot and
Himself in Hotel
Wife Of Victim Sees
Husband Shot Three
Times in Quarrel

Wilbur Stammler. 3S, wealthy
New York attorney, committed
suicide in his Wardman Park Ho-
tel suite early today after fatally
shooting his 25-year-old adopted
son, George D. LeiSt, a CONNER
clal airline pilot, before the eyes
OF the latter's wife, according to
Coroner A. Magruder Macdonald
and homicide squad detectives.
The shootings followed an argu-
ment at 800 am. between Leist, a
pennsylvania Airlines pilot, and the
attorney over terms of the adoption,
which took place in Shreveport, La,
February 5.
Mrs. Ruth Leist, mother of a s.
year-old child, told police she saw
Stammler shoot her husband three
times at the height of the quarrel.
When Leist fell to the floor of the
sunparlor, the wife said she fled
screaming into the hall and did not
see Stammler place the 80 caliber
Walther pistol to his right temple
and pull the trigger moments later.
DR.. Macdonald, who was on the
scene shortly after the tragedy, said
he will issue certificates of murder
and suicide after autopsies today.
Mystery Shrouded the background
of the adoption and the quarrel
which led to the fatal shootings.
Detective Sergt. Harold c. Huff
man, of the Homicide Squad, how
ever, said police had these facts at
their disposal.
Stammler and Leist became ac-
quainted in New York last Decem-
ber, when Mrs. Leist's brother-in-
law introduced them. The adoption
was carried out subsequently be-
cause Stammler wanted to help
Leist further his musical education.
After the formal adoption in
Shreveport. Stammler and Leist
went to Richmond, where Mrs. Leist
met them. The trio checked into
the Wardman Park shortly after g.
o'clock last night. Beyond this
sketchy itinerary, police have only
vague information on the move
menus OF the men.
Saw Three Shots Fired.
The argument which led to the
shooting began about 3 am, Mrs.
LeiSt told investigators. She was
unable to say whether Stammler had
the pistol in his pocket or whether
he got it from suitcase.
Sergt. Huffman said Mrs. Leist |
told him she saw her husband and
Stammler standing close together
in the sunparlor, talking excitedly.
Then, she saw the attorney point
the pistol at her husband and fire
three shots.
MY husband is shot!" Mrs. Leist
screamed as she ran from the room.
Crying Historically, the panic
stricken wife ran down the hall
and sobbed out an incoherent ac-
count of the murder to an elevator
boy. The boy called the hotel desk
and police were summoned.
When Policemen Allen Lashley
and Edward M. Brown of the eighth
precinct, reached the scene, they
said they found Stammler's body
lying across the head and shoul-
ders of Leist. There was a bullet |
wound in the lawyers head and
the pistol lay beside him on the
floor of the sunparlor.
Copy of Will Is Found.
Stammler was fully clad, DR.. Mac
Donald told reporters, and Leist
wore shirt and trousers but no shoes. |
Both men were pronounced dead
by DR.. Robert Owens of 2700 Con-
necticut avenue NV.
In the room, police found a par
TALLY consumed fifth of whisky, but
Mrs. Leist said there had been
little drinking during the evening.
Detectives also discovered a CODY
of the adoption papers, dated Feb
ruary 5, and Stammler's will. Police
told reporters the will indicated
Stammler was "Well-to-do." BY the
(See SHOOTING. Page A-141