Evening star., 1947-04-04
Drowning Held
Probable Cause
OF Girl Death
Arlington Coroner
Says Body Was in
Water About 3 Days
Pictures ON Page Bill

Drowning was given today as
the probable cause of the death
Of pretty, 25-year-old Wynona
Harvey, Philippine Embassy sec
retary whose body was found
sprawled face down in shallow
stream in nearby Virginia yes
terday afternoon.
While police re-questioned the
girls former fiance, and sought to
trace a telephone call she made to
another man in New York before
she disappeared Sunday, Coroner w.
c. welburn of Arlington County ex-
pressed the opinion that death was
due to drowging.
DR.. Welburn said he believed the
girl was alive at the time her body
settled in ths shallow water In
Rocky Run Under a bridge on
George Washington Memorial High
way, about midway between Rossyln
and Memorial Bridge. He added
the body presumably had been
there for about three days. although
there was "only a small amount Of
water" in the lungs.
Further Evidence Awaited.
Dr.. Welburn declared the opinion
of death from drowning was not
final, and he was awaiting further
evidence from pathological exami-
nation of the girls stomach and
blood samples from a State lab
oratory at Richmond.
1t was learned today that Wash
ington detectives were asked to trace
q telephone call which Miss Harvey
made to her friend in New York
shortly before she left her home in
the 1900 block of Belmont road NV,
presumably to visit a sister in near
by Virginia.
New Angle Found.
Checking on the girls friends and
activities. police today questioned
the mother and two sisters of Miss
Harvey and left headquarters in
Arlington to run down a new angle
in the case which they refused to
discuss at the. time.
The one-time fiance. 23-year -old
Theodore Buck, Pacific war
veteran, was brought back from
Charlottesville, Va, last night. 1t
had been learned that Miss Harvey
had met him here last week end,
apparently while under a severe
emotional strain.
The veteran was questioned for
three hours last night and brought
from the Jail to police headquarters
shortly before noon today for addi-
tional questioning.
Consulted Minister.
Miss Harvey had been subject to
Nightmares and distracting doubts
over the wisdom of having broken
off her engagement to Mr.. Buck, a
mill worker, in favor of New York
businessman, investigators learned.
Miss Harvey's conflicting emotions
were disturbing enough to drive her
In the early morning hours Sunday
to seek the advice of DR.. Frederick
Brown Harris. pastor of Foundry
Methodist Church and former
chaplain OF the Senate.
DR.. Harris says he received the
sgitated young woman at 1:30 a In,
advised her to remain firm in her
determination, and saw her next at
church few hours later when she
told him everything was all right.
Young Buck was brought to
Arlington last night by Capt. Hugh
c. Jones, Arlington detective chief,
and two Washington detectives.
While police would not comment
on Mr.. Bucks statements after
questioning him again today. a sister
here said the young veteran came to
Washington Saturday at Miss
Harveys invitation and returned to
Charlottesville by bus between 1:30
and 2 pm, Sunday.
Mrs. G. H. Crickenberger of 2101
North Glebe road, Arlington, wife
Of White House policeman, was
visiting her mother in Charlottes-
vile last week end She said Miss
Harvey telephoned her brother Fri
day night and the two made an
engagement to meet in Washington
Saturday.
Mr.. Buck left by bus about l pm.
Saturday, Mrs. Crickenberger said.
and returned early the following
afternoon while she still was in
Charlottesville.
Appears TO Have Alibi.
without going into details, Capt.
Jones, said the veteran appeared
to have an alibi covering his move
ments from Saturday afternoon un-
til the time officers held him for
questioning.
Asked if police had any suspects
In mind, Capt. Jones replied, There
could be plenty
Miss Harvey, who lived at 1927
Belmont road NV, had been an
employe of the Philippine Embassy
since November A native of Gretna
Va. she was one of nine children
and was last seen when she left home
Sunday to visit a sister in nearby
Virginia.
A workman at 1:30 pm. yester-
day found the girls body in shallow