The Sun. — 1862-08-11 (London, England)

MURDER OF A WOMAN AT ISLEWORTH.  An inquest was held on Saturday by Mr. Bird, at the Chequers Inn, Isleworth, on the body of a woman who was murdered on Thursday evening last, about eight o'clock, in Lion-lane, Isleworth, the bedy having been discovered by a postman, who immediately before had heard the report of a pistol, and had seen a man running away. The first witness examined was Sarah Barnham, who said she was the mother of the murdered woman. The deceased went by the name of Barnham, but she was married to a man who called himself Copeland about four years ago. The man's real name was Cooper, and he was a deserter. Her daughter was 25 years of age. She had not lived with her husband for some months. Witness last saw her daughter on Thursday, the 7th inst. She also saw Copeland first at the bottom of the lane, watching the rifle shooting ; he afterwards came to the house where she was living with her father and mother—that is, the grandfather and grandmother of the deceased. He was for about two hours in the house waiting for her daughter to come in. Her father then came home, and Copeland ran into the wash-house to get out of his way. He had repeatedly threatened to do some mischief to witness and to her daughter. He had shown her three bullets which he kept in his pocket, and said he would not trouble Ann (her daughter) much longer. He added that he had grossly wronged her, but it was 13 years ago that he had married his first wife. Witness was awfully afraid of him, because she knew how savagely he behaved sometimes. Before he left the house her mother called to him and said she would give him up, meaning that she would inform against him as being a deserter. Her daughter said he should not be given up. She then followed him out of the house. She had been et Richmond all the day with her sister,  After the examination of the witness was terminated she started up in a frantic manner, and raid, "I am certain he did it. He stabbed his first wife." The witness was continuing in an incoherent manner, when she was removed from the room. Rosina Barnham, who said she was a sister of the deceased, stated that she was a domestic servant, and lived at Richmond Green. Her brother-in-law came once to see her on Sunday last. She was afraid of being alone with him,as tie had frequently threatened her life. While she was out with him and the deceased, Copeland showed them three bullets, and said, " One is for Ann, another for the old woman, and the third is for the first man that stops me." He said he had kept them three months for the purpose. He seemed in a very determined and revengeful state. She had not seen any pistol in his possession.  James Auden, a letter-carrier, said that on Thursday evening, about 8 o'clock, he was in the Brazil, Mill-lane, when he heard the report of firearms. Upon going on farther he saw the deceased lying upon the ground, and he observed a man running away. The man had on a dark frock coat, and a low-crowned hat. When he found the deceased lying there, he called for assistance, and carried her to the union workhouse. She groaned heavily, and died while they were carry her off. He said to her, "For God's sake tell me who has done this," but she was then insensible, and unable to answer. Her bonnet, when he got up to her, was on fire, and he took it off and crushed it under his foot.  Mr. John Machinley, a surgeon, proved finding a bullet in the brain of the murdered woman,which undoubtedly had caused her death. The inquiry was adjourned.