The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — 1850-01-29 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

THE TRAGEDY AT HIGHER BROUGHTON—We reported last week in the usual telegraphic news of the STANDARD, the awful strangulation of Mrs. Louis Novelli, by her brother-in-law, and the subsequent suicide of the murderer. Both parties were in good circumstances, and the motives for the deed are inexplicable. It is surmised by some that the murderer, whose brother, the husband of the lady, died about twelve months ago, had been greatly attached to his sister-in-law, and had pressed her to marry him, but that she had refused to listen to his suit. She is described as being a very charming woman, and he has resided with her since the death of his brother, but was about to leave for London on the following morning (Monday.) It is conceived that he had pressed his suit, been repulsed, and in a fit of passion committed the dreadful act, which filled him with such remorse, that he put an end to his own existence also. It is further said that his family is disposed to insanity, though he was never known to betray any symptoms of that affliction. It appears that the inmates of Mrs. Novelli's house on Sunday night were herself, her brother-in-law, her two children, two female servants, and a servant boy, about 17 years old. The two deceased had, in the course of the day, been at church twice : and, in the evening, had taken tea with Mr. Coston, a co-executor with Mr. A. Novelli to the estate of Mrs. Novelli's late husband. They returned home about ten, had porridge, with milk and treacle, for supper ; after which, it appears, Mr. Novelli drank.. 4 small glass of brandy and water. The servants retired' tit, rest, leaving them sitting in the dining-room. They had no disagreement, nor does it appear that there ever had arisen any dispute between them. Next morning, Mrs. Novelli was found lying dead, near her chair. The servants hereupon, having called assistance, proceeded up to Mr. Novelli's room, where he was found hanging lifeless, to the curtain-rod of his bed, to which he had suspended himself by the cord of his dressinggown. The body was still warm, but life was extinct. The bed was also warn,, indicating that be had recently been in it. A medical man was sent for, who examined Mrs. Novelli's body, and found that she had died from strangulation. She had evidently struggled for a short period, as her dress was somewhat disordered, and the cloth pulled partly off the table. There was also a fresh cut on Mr. Novelli's nose, which appeared as if inflicted with a finger nail. His body hung low with the knees bent as if he had drawn them up at first, and the feet had afterwards fallen down. He had evidently lain on the sofa some time after committing the murder, as the marks of his boots were on the cover. It is believed that he afterwards went to bed, and on hearing the servants stirring, arose and hanged himself. The adjourned inquest on the bodies was held on Wednesday. Several additional witnesses were examined, amongst whom were Mr. John E. Hampson, an attorney, and Mr. Charles B. Bowker, both of whom had been well acquainted with Mr. Novelli, the latter for a long period. The evidence of both gentlemen went to show that the deceased wag irritable in temper, occasionally subject to fits of melancholy, and extremely violent in giving expression to hit thoughts. After remaining in deliberation for about ten minutes, the jury returned a verdict, that Mr. A. Novell' had destroyed the lives first of Mrs. Novelli, and afterwards of himself, being at the time of unsound mind.